Search - Lydia Lunch :: Crimes Against Nature

Deeply Disturbing, But Worth It

Jane Rhynn | CA | 12/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Overall, I found Crimes against Nature by Lydia Lunch a disturbing, artistic look at what I would call the Shadow of society. That is, all that we try not to look at when we look at ourselves, our society, and even our own ideals. As she puts it, "to understand life, I have surrounded myself with death." She describes "pains not in the soul or the body, but which belong to both." She vividly casts aside the romanticism of the church, state, and virtue to focus on what few of us even have the guts to look at, let alone think about. As an artist, she shares the experience with us in a way that helps us to relate to the darkness she has studied and to understand more deeply than any newshound could.



The notes for CAN include a speech/letter to prosecutor Jack Thomson, who had attempted to silence her. It's a brilliant piece of work which lucidly describes the hypocrisy of society, the hypocrisy of censorship, and how society and censorship both foster evil and alienation rather than preventing it.



In a way, she reminds me of Otep, or what Otep would be like if she were more a nihilist. Perhaps the primary difference between Otep and Lydia Lunch is that Otep still believes that some aspects of society are good, but Lydia Lunch would shatter any illusions of goodness. (If you find Otep too distressing, then you won't be able to stand Lydia Lunch at all.)



She does go on a lot about self-destructive activities, seeming to champion suicide, self-mutilation and cutting, and a general nihilism tainted by disgust of the self and everybody else. She does not shy away from the darkest aspects of society, even to the point of raping and destroying children, and you can almost feel yourself more of an eyewitness rather than just hearing about it. I also sense multiple meanings in her various comments, which work on many levels.



What is perhaps most disturbing is how she got me to sympathize with some of the vilest examples of humanity whom she describes in a masterful voice able to encapsulate every emotion down to subtle nuances. She often interrupts her stories and tirades to give out such food for thought as, "Nature Herself is antisocial."



Some people might think this encourages self-mutilation, but I think that's likely only if they're already doing so. I found it cathartic, helping to name, and thus master, the pains that haunt many of us.



Lydia Lunch (she has a site on the web) is a true artist. I don't hold to all of her views, but I do respect her work as an artist, and think she has something valuable to say to all of us-though it will hurt just to hear it, and you may need a shower right after."