Hanimations: A Wonderous Array of Animals

With two pairs of hands covered with thick coats of paint, and a few simple props (a spongy ball, some google eyes), it's amazing how far Mariotti's imagination goes in making hands look like animals. A masculine set of hairy arms with strong, stubby fingers provides contrast to a feminine pair of hands with tapering fingers and sculptured fingernails--perfect for beaks. Included in the collection are a flamingo, a perky-eared dog, a walrus with white (finger) tusks and a leopard. Marchiori's photography is stunningly simple. This is a fascinating art form (first glimpsed in Mariotti's Hanimals ) and is guaranteed to capture the attention of every family member regardless of age. All ages. (Sept.)