PMS Handbook by Lisa Kokin

Lisa Kokin, Mixed Media Books: "My definition of ‘book’ is open-ended, a freedom which is in many ways attributable to my lack of formal book art training. I am blissfully unaware of all the rules I am breaking as I go about my routine of sewing, stapling, riveting and otherwise reassembling objects to transform them into something readable. My books address themes which have preoccupied me for many years -- loss, the rescuing of memory, cultural and sexual identity, and a critique of the prevailing social values.”
In this mixed media book Kokin uses text from a Scientology pamphlet on latex-coated mini-pad pages. The first two leaves start with the instruction “Your happy task is to /separate your real nature / from the false nature / that has temporarily taken over your life.” An interesting pairing of Scientology instruction and doctrine with the natural function of a woman’s body.