I like to think that I’m a reasonably open minded guy. It takes a fair amount to shock me, and I’m generally not too offended by deviance. As an avowed fan of so-called transgressive acts like Throbbing Gristle, Coil, GG Allin and the Butthole Surfers, I’m usually not especially bothered by explorations into the realms of the arguably lurid or profane. Just think how boring life would be if we didn’t have artists like these to give the envelope a good shove every now and again. Transgression helps us question our collective values and re-assess rigid social mores, and that can only be healthy.
That all said, I’m certainly still capable of being shocked. Every now and again I’ll see something that takes the wind out of my sails or puts me off my food. One such occasion was this past weekend. I was out strolling around the West Village with Peg and the kids, and I was stopped dead in my tracks by something I saw in a shop window, specifically Pee & Poo, a pair of anthropomorphized waste products that had jumped right out of the toilet and into the toy store.
I’m not exactly sure what the back story is here (although they have a website). Pee & Poo don’t seem to be so much a question-raising work of art as much as an eyebrow-raising plaything. The shop in question is of some Scandiweigan origin, and I know they look at life quite differently over there, but still – I’m just kinda not down with the overall message they seem to be sending that feces and urine are perfectly cool things to play with.
With a two year old and a four year old in my house, I am – by this point – well versed in the travails of potty-training (although, admittedly, it’s Peg that sees the most carnage in that conflict). I do believe that it’s extremely important to convey the right message while in the throes of this delicate process. Children shouldn’t be made to feel self-conscious or needlessly embarrassed about their bodily functions. Such feelings of awkwardness and/or shame can only lead to dysfunction and trauma in later life. It’s for this reason that you see titles like “Everybody Poops” and “My Big Boy Potty” in the children’s section of book stores. Kids need to feel comfortable and natural about it. I’m all for any instructional tools that can help a family get through it with as much ease as possible.
But I have to say that I think a plush, cuddly dollop of shit is taking things a little too far.
this sort of item has been quite popular in japan and taiwan for some number of years. cute goes to great extremes in the lands to the east, bless their hearts.
Posted by: bb | April 15, 2008 at 01:12 PM
GG Allin preferred the real thing.
Posted by: MEK | April 15, 2008 at 03:44 PM
this is amazing
Posted by: C-Monster | April 15, 2008 at 11:42 PM
In Cape Town there is an aquarium that has an attraction on hygiene and garbage. It is narrated by an animatronic piece of shit (dollop shaped and with eyes) that sings and dances through the 10-minute program about flushing and recycling.
Posted by: Jill | April 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM
On second thought, shit and piss is a part of our lives, disgusting or not. Let's embrace it. Grab a plush piece of poopy and call it a night. LOL. Keep the good stories coming, I'm cracking up over here.
Posted by: MEK | April 17, 2008 at 09:52 AM
The irony of your post is great; thank you for giving me a belly-laugh!! Offended by these wonderful and cute plush-toys?! muuaahahaha. Sorry pal, you seem to have dropped your sense of humor down the toilet - pun intended.
Off to greenwich Village to buy a toy for my daughter - thanks for the tip; do you have an address?
Steve
Posted by: Steve | April 17, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I hope you won't be shocked, then, when you come home one day from work and find your daughter scouring about in the toilet for other playthings, "pal."
Sorry, but feces ain't a plaything in my house.
But, diff'rent stroke fer diff'rent folks. The store is on the eastern end of Christopher Street, just West of Greenwich Avenue and 6th Avenue. Basically, it's where Christopher Street and Gay Street intersect.
Posted by: Alex in NYC | April 17, 2008 at 12:36 PM
hah hah I'm pretty sure my daughter is intelligent enough to separate a toy from her bodily functions. I have a lot of other worries for my daughter, such as dumbing-down teachers, ultra-controlled playtime, boys-and-girls-are-exactly-the-same 'preachers' and the likes. A plush-toy called Pee? Nahh not really.
Checked out the website and the various stuff is just too cute!
Posted by: Steve | April 17, 2008 at 04:10 PM