Abridged: Ream Again Heretic

Oakland, CA: Lisa Kokin, 2008. Fine. A unique artists' book on banned books. According to the artist: "Searching the Internet for a list of banned books, I came across 'The American Heritage Dictionary.' The dictionary was banned in Missouri in 1978 because it contained 38 “objectionable” words. It was also banned by the Anchorage, Alaska School Board for similar reasons. Many of the words were slang and had sexual connotations, but some, like “across the board,” had to do with betting, or, my personal favorite, “brain,” because as a verb it has a violent connotation.  I decided to pulp the dictionary after carefully saving the “offending” words and phrases. I then reconstituted the pages and pressed the “bad” words into their respective pages. I baked the book to darken the pages and give it a burnt aroma. The pages are held together by a strap made from the spine of the dictionary, with an anagram for American Heritage (Ream Again Heretic), sewn onto the bottom. I used the entire dictionary except for the covers, with only glue, snaps and thread to hold it together." Following is the list of "offensive" words included. The full dictionary definitions are included with each word in the book: 1“across-the board” (betting on horse racing in Texas was illegal; 2“Arab” (incomplete definition); 3“ass” unnecessary); 4”attempt” (ties word into subject of murder) 5 “Banana republic” (insulting to Latinx people) 6 “Bawdy house” (unnecessary) 7 “Bed” (sexual intercourse is mentioned) 8 “The big house” (slang) 9 “Block busting: (inaccurate and unnecessary) 10 “Boob” ( female breast) 11 “Brain” (denotes violence) 12 “Bucket” (slang for bottocks) 13 “Butt” (slang) 14 “Cherry” (the hymen, virginity) 15 “Clap” slang for brothel and gonorrhea) 16 “Coke” (slang for cocaine) 17 “Crocked” ( slang for intoxicated) 18 “Deflower” 19 “Dyke” 20 “Fag”/”faggot” 21 “ Fairy” 22 “Gay” 23 “G-string” 24 “Head” 25 “Hooker” 26 “Horny” 27 “Hot” 28 “John”(customer of a prostitute 29 “John” (toilet) 30 “Keister” or “ keaster” 31 “Kinky” 32 “Knock” 33 ”Queer” 34 “Rubber” 35 “Shack” 36 “Slut” 37 “Tail” 38 “Tit” This collection of 26 leaves is held together with a strap bearing the title of the book. Each leaf is stiff, thick compressed paper pulp with cut-out words and definitions embedded. A powerful statement on the absurdity of book bans. Size: 6.75 x 9.75 x 7 inches. [26 pages.]  Lisa is a noted book artist who also creates art with sewing and alterations, as well as with button work and assemblage. She also is known for acting as a mentor and coach to people in the arts. Since 2010 she has worked one-on-one with dozens of artists both locally and through Zoom. Her program is an outgrowth of many years of experience mentoring graduate students in colleges and universities. Her artists’ books can be found in a number of public collections. ARTB/102424. (Inventory #: 37549)