The moment I happened upon the book Les Zizis de Paris, several years ago, I was smitten. Not because of the subject per se (though what's not to love?!), but because I delighted in imagining a similar book in an Anglo-Saxon museum bookshop. Maybe there is one and I just don't know about it, but I'm not holding my breath. As a culture, I think, we Americans in general are just more disposed to be prudish/woo-hoo about such matters, as opposed to dealing with the subject matter with an appreciative nod and a wink.
Zizi is the French equivalent of wee-wee, or weenie or what-have-you. I find it quite adorable as a name for male parts.
I found this charming and entertaining photography book in a museum store of one of the museums of the city of Paris. Not hidden hush-hush in a brown wrapper in a corner, but prominently displayed with other guides to Paris. And indeed, it is a pictorial guide to male nude public statues. What? Oh yes, of course I bought it!
So, big deal. It's Art. No fig leaves. It's France. It's the human body. Deal with it. Enjoy it.
But I did get a chuckle out of the juxtaposition of the accompanying standard web language on the website for the book...
Sunday, April 15, 2012
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14 comments:
Well merci. You've just taken care of many many Christmas and birthday gifts for me, and I'm getting one for myself as well. I love how the children in Paris don't bat an eye at the sight of a "zizi", in art of course!
V
I saw this book! And I didn't buy it. :( Now I have a reason to return to Paris (as if I needed one!)
How could you doubt that there might be a similar American book? It has chapters on ZZ Top, ZZ Packer, et. al.
The things one can find on the Internet..LOL!! I agree though..it is just a human body after all...
This will take care of my Christmas list and birthday list! Love those French!!!
I've always wondered about that word...
I saw so many kids books at the salon du livre that could never make it through US customs-witty, fun, funny
ce m'enerve
Thinking of zizis, I remember all the flap about Maurice Sendak's illustrations (one page or 2) in In the Night Kitchen.
Anyway, this book is charming and I do recommend it. My copy is deep in storage somewhere with all my Paris books.
You have such a good eye for the best details about Paris!
It seems like a good Christmas gift for some one who is un bon vivant
Enlarge! lol
I like the last comment enlarge please.
I just laugh thinking about how someone wote this book lol
This article makes me giggle every time I read it
Why in the world would someone write a book like that?
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