Not only are sex and laughter throughly enjoyable human experiences, they are also democratic pleasures available to people everywhere and across time. Sex, and the phallus in particular, likely due to its egalitarian power, is a common cultural taboo. This remains true even though Aristotle -- the great rationalist of ancient Western philosophy -- asserted that the birth of comedy spawned out of celebrations of the erect penis. "Toothbrush Testicles" is a grooming tool that inspires laughter and functions as a carrot on a stick (nuts on a handle?): It reminds users that partaking in the pleasures of daily good hygiene has potential to be rewarded with even more pleasurable, good sex. A full set of clean teeth contributes to an individual's sexual allure by promoting health and facial symmetry - and ensuring fresh breath, all qualities that enhance one's chances of sexual success. Users will enact a comic pantomime – of “doing the dirty" -- under the wholesome precept of cleanliness.
Caroline Peters is a multimedia artist who has also worked in artistic collaborations in net art and fiction writing. Themes explored include feminism, capitalism, self care and the commodity of story. A current project, toothbrush testicles, is a reproducible edition of a banal commercial product artistically modified to challenge the implicit shame tied to female sexuality. A retired university professor, she's spent the last 3 years developing an off grid homestead in the Colorado mountains. She currently lives in Seattle.
