Book I
Reading Raymond Pettibon’s Thinking Of You, I can’t help but be brought back to Mrs. Levine’s 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 I’ve 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 Hansen’s 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, Beck’s 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