Rock Cocks
The Art of Cynthia Plaster Caster
Artrock Gallery, San Francisco
through Jan 31
Arriving in San Francisco on the first leg of a trip around the world (or at least part of it), one of my first destinations is Rock Cocks: The Art of Cynthia Plaster Caster, an exhibit at the Artrock Gallery that runs until January 31.
It isn't often that you see Jimi Hendrix memorabilia paired with that of Clint "Poppie" Mansell. It's even more rare that the item in question is a plaster replica of Hendrix’s erect penis – start white, resplendent with veins, and resting in a velvet-lined glass case.
It's all in a day's work for Cynthia Plaster Caster, who refers to the celebrity cocks as her "sweet babies" and sells them on-line. The project began in 1968, when she responded to an art school assignment to "cast a solid object in plaster" by inviting Paul Revere and the Raiders to supply something solid. While the collaboration didn't produce anything lasting, it did turn Cynthia into a professional groupie and cock-chaser of the most original kind. She was the subject of the independent film Plaster Caster, and now has the gems of her collection on display at the brand-new Artrock Gallery in San Francisco. Next stop: New York.
At the show, the avid viewer can look beyond Jimi's mighty member and find Bob Pridden (road manager for The Who), juggler Iran Karamazov, John Lanford of the Mekons, and several more – as well as a few pairs of tits.
Cynthia did not begin plastering breasts until a couple of years ago, but already she has alarmingly lifelike replicas of Peaches' crooked rack, and the mighty guns of Margaret Doll Rod. Next to these, Sally Timms of the Mekons and Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab look relatively unthreatening.
This year saw the inception of the Cynthia P. Caster Foundation, which accepts donations and uses the proceeds from her art sales to fund musicians and artists in financial need. Cynthia explains on the Foundation's Web site that Frank Zappa began financing her 30 years ago, and now she is determined to return the favour to other struggling artists. In short, come for the cock, stay for the cultural philanthropy.
Naturally, Jimi Hendrix is the alpha-cock of the collection, and by far the most expensive. He can be purchased on his own or as a "member" (har dee har) of The Guitarist Collection, which also includes Wayne Kramer. More charming perhaps is The Curved Collection of U-bent and corkscrewed cocks, which features Clint Mansell of Pop Will Eat Itself, and Ronnie Barnett of the Muffs.
If it becomes apparent that not all stars are created equal, the fault may lie in the medium and not the man. Cynthia says the process is quite clinical, and involves two minutes of being encased in chilly alginate, with only the assistance of a "plater" (Cockney slang for fluffer) – usually a girlfriend or wife – to help the subject maintain his, err, composure. If the flesh softens, gravity and the alginate change its form, sometimes with unflattering results.
Nonetheless, the collection is an impressive one. If fame is based on dick alone, then Jimi Hendrix deserves to be on all those T-shirts. But Jello Biafra should be King of the Universe, and surely David Yow of Jesus Lizard deserves some sort of medal.
The show also features sketches and prints done by Cynthia Plaster Caster, and a couple of original letters she sent to certain stars requesting that they provide something hard. One is for Gerry and the Pacemakers, the other for John Lennon, "if it's OK with Yoko."
Whether theme groupie, feminist icon, or soft porn peddler, Cynthia provides great entertainment – and some of the best rock memorabilia you're unlikely to see at the Hard Rock Café.
Julia Williams is traveling around the world and exploring the global arts scene. |
