Thursday, March 19, 2009

Literaturwurst

I went to LACMA (the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) today with Sophie and two girlfriends. We wandered through the Art of Two Germanys exhibit. The above photo is one I found on the internet (couldn't take photos in the museum) of my favorite thing in the show. Here's a description:

Dieter Roth (Swiss, born Germany, 1930-98). Literaturwurst (Martin Walser: Halbzeit) (Literature Sausage), 1968. Book of cut-up novel, water, gelatin and spices in sausage casing, overall: 20 11/16 x 16 3/4 x 4 ¾ in (52.5 x 42.5 x 12 cm). Publisher and fabricator: the artist, Reykjavik. Edition: 50 with different formats and texts. Dieter Roth Foundation, Hamburg. © 2006 Dieter Roth Foundation, Hamburg.

So this artist cut up literature and made it into sausage. Kind of disgusting. Definitely alluring. I want to make some literature sausage of my own. This is what I'd cut up:

medline reports
prescription medicine labels
insurance bills
insurance statements of claims

Add some fat and spices, bitter and coarse and then stuff it all into intestines. Hang it on a hook to dry out.

A good friend of mine who's also a terrific therapist (do you think I need one after that sausage recipe I created?) reminded me today of the adage of being "good enough." In reference to mothering, I understand that and aspire to at least accept that I am good enough.

But when it comes to Sophie and her life, I'm thinking that it's NOT good enough. It's not good enough that she's on a new drug, still having really big seizures and suffering some side effects. It's just not good enough.

And that led me to another of my favorite sayings, or my twisted version of it:

Instead of "it could be worse," I think:

It Could Be Better.
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4 comments:

  1. hope505March 20, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    ...mmmm...sausage!
    * : )
    Just stopping by to wish you a happy springtime! Renewal! Fresh beginnings! Also: you and your kids might enjoy this, if you've never done it, or maybe you know about it but haven't done it in a while...

    http://h5o5pe.blogspot.com/2009/03/eggy-weggs-i-like-to.html

    Have a great day!!

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  2. Julia O'CMarch 20, 2009 at 11:54 AM

    You're right: it could be better. I don't understand why no one can help Sophie.

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  3. GbergerMarch 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM

    I can just hear Billy Crystal saying that, with a strong NY accent; I hope that makes you smile.
    I cannot imagine the depths of frustration that you feel about this. I am so glad that you vent it here in such a healthy way.

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  4. AnonymousMarch 21, 2009 at 5:33 AM

    Thanks for verbalizing the "it could be better" mantra!!! I think I subconsciously do that all day long. Do you see my head nodding to you out here?

    ReplyDelete