Lawrence Weschler—”Languorous Bodyscapes”
People familiar with Lawrence Weschler’s style of teasing out fantastic connnections between works of art, natural phenomena, and historical events, as he did in Everything That Rises, will be on familiar turf with “Languorous Bodyscapes.” As for everyone else—welcome to Weschler’s world.
I’m reminded of the old story about the guy who goes to a shrink, desperate for relief: “Doc, Doc, you’ve got to help me, I can’t take it anymore. My problem is —” At which point the doctor interrupts him: “No, no, don’t tell me. I’ll give you a little test here and I’ll be able to tell you what your problem is.” He pulls out a sheaf of placards from his desk drawer and shows the patient the first — which portrays a simple pair of straight, parallel vertical lines — asking him, “What’s this?” “Oh my God,” says the guy, “it’s two people, a man and a woman, and they’re necking, and ycch, it’s disgusting.” Hmm, thinks the shrink as he scribbles a note on his clipboard. “And this?” (Another two lines, this time horizontal.) “Ach, Jesus!” exclaims the patient. “It’s the same two and now they’re in bed, they’re having physical relations, intercourse, and, aye, it’s completely revolting.” Hmmm, thinks the shrink as he jots himself another note. “And this?” (Another two lines, this time crossed.) “Oh my Lord, dear God,” stammers the patient, barely able to continue. “It’s the same couple and this time, I can’t even say it, they’re . . . they’re —” “Sir,” interrupts the shrink, “we don’t even have to go any further, I can already tell you what your problem is: You, sir, have a pathologically dirty mind.”
“I’ve got a dirty mind?” The patient explodes: “You’re the one showing me the dirty pictures!”