Book I
Reading Raymond Pettibons Thinking Of You, I cant help
but be brought back to Mrs. Levines 5th grade classroom where
I sat lodged between Brett something or other and Jenny P. Every couple
of days, Jenny would lean back in her plastic chair, tap Brett and
announce (with no provocation I might add), hey Brett, is that
a banana in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Brett
would either ignore her or say, ugh, shut up Jenny, almost
like a girl, almost like Jenny might have if the situation had been
reversed. Later in high school, Brett like many others would ditch
while Jenny, head cheerleader, would bump and grind on stage at the
mandatory pep rallies. Some things never change. This being said,
it runs true for Pettibon who never seems to lose his humor or edge.
Book II
Though Ive always been skeptical of career changes for those
in the media landscape, curiosity got the better of me and I picked
up Beck and Al Hansens Playing With Matches. Its brightly colored
and finely detailed collage cover seem to hint that something interesting
lurked just beyond. Pleasantly, I found that the book in its entirety
presents a multi-faceted look at the work of the great Al Hansen but
also focuses on his relationship and teachings to his grandson, radio
star Beck Hansen. Despite my initial judgement call, Becks own
work held its own and adds to the often comical and intriguing spectacle
that is Playing With Matches.
Laurel Broughton
New York, New York
1999
Al Hansen, miss chicago, Hershey bar wrappers with paint on wood