When I saw this picture last summer on the Awkward Family Photos blog, I had to know where it came from. Most of the commenters were convinced the answer was "a really freaky, messed-up hippie family." But one intrepid denizen of the Interwebs offered a better explanation.
In reality, these hand-knit people suits--made from angora--are the work of artist Anna Maltz. She makes them in the aforementioned "natural" version, but also in muppet-esque blue, mermaid, and Superman styles. Then she takes photos of people wearing the suits.
This video from San Francisco's KQED takes you along on one of Maltz's shoots.
And, if that's not enough to make her completely awesome, in 2004 Maltz apparently wrote an essay about her work called "Don't Be the Bunny." "Urinetown" references = +1000!
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What's with the pixelated genitals? It only fabric, not real skin! An I thought that we Americans were uptight.
We are! It's from KQED San Francisco. The neighborhood where the family lives is presumably Bernal Heights. Cortland Street is mentioned.
Ha. I went to school with Anna and was coerced in modelling her knitted superman costume as part of her final degree show. I was picking red and blue fluff out of the strangest places for weeks afterwards.
Are these what Sacha Baron Cohen used in his most recent movie? (Or at least a promo for it that was in Berlin.) There can't be that many people who make pink knitted bodysuits...
Note that it's okay to depict fake genitalia and fake pubic hair when the suits are NOT being worn, but once the suits have been donned, here come the pixelation. But boobies are okay anytime, apparently. Hilarious. Very forward thinking, KQED.
No, the horrible penis is pixellated even when she holds it in front of her!
So to sum up:
boobs OK
bush OK if not being worn
penis NEVER!
No, Sacha Baron Cohen used someone else to make suits that look suspiciously similar.
On a cool enough day, I bet those would feel kind of good to wear.
"Muppet-esque blue" is my favorite color.
Finally, something for winter visits to the nude beach.
I have been wondering for yonks where that original image came from and thought I would never know.
Thank you BB