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• September 19, 2008 11:32 AM
• News

National Nightmares for Sale: The Disturbing Mementos of "America: The Gift Shop"

By Gabriel Bell

After eight years of government that have left a sizable chip on America's shoulder, it's no big surprise that W-era memorabilia isn't exactly flooding the market. Enter photographer Phillip Toledano who previously explored the dirty corners of this country with arresting exposés on offices emptied by the dot-com crash and phone-sex workers. This time, Toledano's "America: The Gift Shop" virtual exhibition takes on the torture, special rendition, and government secrecy with enough cheek to make you gasp, giggle, or groan (depending on your politics). Turning to plastic arts instead of his camera, Toledano has created a conceptual store of Bush administration mementos, including such satirical wonders as a bouncy Gitmo holding cell, an Abu Ghraib bobblehead doll, and a Dick Cheney snow globe complete with shredded document confetti. Brilliant and disturbing, the collection, which is currently in search of a brick-and-mortar exhibition space, would be the funniest thing we've seen all year if it wasn't also the scariest.

To view the online exhibition go to www.americathestore.com. For more information go to www.mrtoledano.com.

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