British novelist kisses ... and tells
Source: Agencies |
February 12, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHAT'S in a kiss? All is revealed in "A Compendium of Kisses," a guide that tells all about one of the world's most universal gestures.
"When I came to look at the kiss, the romantic side is such a small part of it," said British novelist and actress Lana Citron, who compiled the book.
"I love how when you're born, the first thing is, you're kissed, you're welcomed into the world. It's this little gesture that follows you throughout life, through all the most important parts of your life."
Citron's interest in kisses began with a short story she wrote about a lonely woman who collected kisses in jars - such as one for the lover who spurned her, one that was full of yearning - and labeled them.
That led to an invitation to do an installation of kisses in jars, all labeled, as part of an art exhibition. The response of viewers sent her to the Internet, searching out books on kisses and deciding to write her own when nothing seemed just right.
"It was almost like opening a Pandora's chest and just being overwhelmed by all the different ways a kiss is expressed, the meanings attached to it and the things it symbolizes," she said.
"I fell in love with it, I really did. I was submerged in the world of kisses for a year and came out of it with a book."
Her compendium traces the evolution of kissing through history, from its use in religious ceremonies to its social role as a greeting.
Citron says she became fascinated about the use of kisses in politics and history, from its involvement in accusations about witchcraft down to the present day kiss-and-tell scandals.
Though most of the book is written in tongue-in-cheek style, Citron becomes practical when asked for kissing advice.
"Basic hygiene, I think, is the only thing I'd say."
"When I came to look at the kiss, the romantic side is such a small part of it," said British novelist and actress Lana Citron, who compiled the book.
"I love how when you're born, the first thing is, you're kissed, you're welcomed into the world. It's this little gesture that follows you throughout life, through all the most important parts of your life."
Citron's interest in kisses began with a short story she wrote about a lonely woman who collected kisses in jars - such as one for the lover who spurned her, one that was full of yearning - and labeled them.
That led to an invitation to do an installation of kisses in jars, all labeled, as part of an art exhibition. The response of viewers sent her to the Internet, searching out books on kisses and deciding to write her own when nothing seemed just right.
"It was almost like opening a Pandora's chest and just being overwhelmed by all the different ways a kiss is expressed, the meanings attached to it and the things it symbolizes," she said.
"I fell in love with it, I really did. I was submerged in the world of kisses for a year and came out of it with a book."
Her compendium traces the evolution of kissing through history, from its use in religious ceremonies to its social role as a greeting.
Citron says she became fascinated about the use of kisses in politics and history, from its involvement in accusations about witchcraft down to the present day kiss-and-tell scandals.
Though most of the book is written in tongue-in-cheek style, Citron becomes practical when asked for kissing advice.
"Basic hygiene, I think, is the only thing I'd say."
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