Correspondance: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

I found Smart Bitches Trashy Books through a amazingly random, late-night, internet search. They managed to include "smart", "trashy" and "bitches" in the title of their site, so naturally I was intrigued. I emailed the site's creators (Sarah and Candy) and in the spirit of record keeping I'd like to share the correspondence. Hopefully she'll respond...

"Hi Kenya:
Thank you for writing to me. Your project sounds amazing.
What specifically are you looking for in terms of written works? And can you tell me more about your project? What inspired you to create it, and what are you hoping to reveal about the texts you use?
- Sarah
---
Smart Bitch Sarah
Smart Bitches Trashy Books LLC"


"Sarah:
Thanks so much for responding! The project is very much in the early stages, but I think the LINKS I shared give you the general lay of the land (Use of pulp fiction as source material for sound performance work), so please take a look/listen, if you haven't already- I'd be happy to answer additional questions.

To begin, the inspiration is fairly mundane. I love to read and as a NYC resident I've got plenty of time to indulge (love the subway- hate to drive). As a black woman who is a book lover I am always on the lookout for work that connects with a familiar cultural space, so for better or worse, I am hooked on Black Urban Fiction. I tend to read dense non-fiction titles and follow up with something lighter- although amazing literature always manages to find a spot on my schedule. I think that both ends of the spectrum are valid contributors to the landscape, but I was struck at how strongly my contemporaries (intelligent, upwardly mobile professionals) rallied against "Black Trash". The conversation always turned political (which I enjoy) and I thought that was an intriguing argument, given that the catalyst for discussion could be a book called, This Bitch Is Crazy.

I was already familiar with the artist Richard Prince, and his Nurse Painting Series (see below) and I connected with the notion of using cheap entertainment as source material. Around the same time, a friend of mine asked me to participate a sound performance show called AMP and the deadline of the show effectively brought all these separate ideas together.

When I began the project I didn't have specific expectations about what the texts would reveal, although I knew something would present itself. I've learned a lot about how many black women view themselves, particularly in relation to (black) men as well as a near universal obsession with their own physicality. I've begun to notice the tics that probably all writers have- but since editors play a more subdued role in the Urban Fiction Game, it reads more obviously. But what I am most proud of is that the writing can be so successfully taken out of context to imply complex layers. Early on I had a few viewers who were struck by the poetic simplicity of the words/phrases I was using, and were surprised to know its origin. This just confirms the human experience for me and solidifies the importance of context.

In either case, I am hoping that you might suggest a few titles (not that they need to be in the Urban Romance genre, but it'd be cool to get your feedback on that). Ultimately though, I'd like to continue a dialogue. I envision this series developing over a period of time- I think your approach to romance literature would be inspirational.

piece,
Kenya (Robinson)

p.s.
As soon as I get my residency stipend, I will definitely order your book..."

On another note Harlequin had a fabulous exhibition this summer in SoHo. Read more about it HERE and HERE.