“Got questions? This book has the answers.”
Despite centuries of wishful thinking and claims to the contrary, no one in history has discovered all the answers to life’s urgent questions in a single place. Carol Bolt, an American author / artist, has tried to remedy this.
Her thick volume, The Book of Answers (1999, Hyperion, New York), contains no introduction, no conclusion, no plot, no characters, no useful information and very few words. The left-side pages stay blank while each of those on the right shows an answer, such as: “No”, or “Don’t ignore the obvious”, or “It would be better to focus on your work.”
Instructions fill the back cover: “Hold the closed book…. Take 10 or 15 seconds to concentrate on your question. When you sense the time is right, open the book, and there will be your answer. Repeat the process for as many questions as you have.”
Bolt promises “hours of fun and fortune-telling”. She’s a multi-disciplinary artist from Seattle who likes to use words, drawings and interactive elements. As unusual art, the book nearly makes sense.
More recently, Bolt has expanded her franchise with The Literary Book of Answers (relying on bits from real books by the likes of William Shakespeare, Henry James and Charles Dickens), The Movie Book of Answers (quoting from popular films), Love’s Book of Answers, The Soul’s Book of Answers and Mom’s Book of Answers.
Let’s put the original book to use.
Cairns Media Magazine: Should people buy The Book of Answers?
Book of Answers: “That would be a waste of money.”
Cairns Media Magazine: “Is world peace possible?”
Book of Answers: “Count to 10. Ask again.”
Cairns Media Magazine: Huh? Oh, alright. (Moments later) Is world peace possible?
Book of Answers: “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Cairns Media Magazine: What about real democracy in Hong Kong? Will that happen in the 21st century?
Book of Answers: “There is no guarantee.”
Perhaps The Book of Answers can give coherent advice akin to what many people receive by phoning pals or blathering to bartenders. But even the most trusting or troubled soul should hear alarm bells when reading the opening disclaimer: “Hyperion and the author take no credit or responsibility for what The Book of Answers advises, or the results thereof.”
This gimmicky “book” works as a gag item, nothing more.
Approval rating: minuscule, less than one per cent.
For more information: www.thebookofanswers.com/ or www.carolbolt.com.
(February 19, 2007)
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