A photographer and multimedia artist whose work has appeared in Vogue
and Playgirl
, Jong likes to pee in public places. At first glance, this book of photos documenting her urinary exploits seems like a one-trick pony, but Jong's humor, charm and sense of beauty cumulatively create a rich experience. Grungy urban locales alternately elicit disgust, giggles and titillation; a stream of golden drops pouring into gravel by a reedy pond is lyrically gorgeous. Jong relieves herself in New York City, Hawaii, Shanghai, Mexico and Florida; in city, suburbia, on the beach and, doglike, into snow. The captionless photos are interrupted by Jong's interview of ex-prostitute/sex maven/performance artist Annie Sprinkle, whose name may be inspired by her own public peeing performances, and who categorizes Jong's work as "post-porn:" "sex- or body-oriented material that goes beyond mainstream porn or erotica." In fact, these photos are more likely to be funny, pretty or childishly mischievous than erotic. Jong writes of "peeing as a means to reevaluate the spaces I find myself in—to make them my own," and the peace in release. Balancing precariously between aesthetic exploration, hip party prank and self-indulgent performance art, this book is apt to annoy those who aren't enchanted by it. (May)
