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I thought I wanted a Power Mac for Christmas, but since shopping with Ed I've changed my mind. Sure, a new computer would facilitate my work, but isn't that like asking for a sponge mop? I now crav£ things far less practical. In fact, I want some really cheap, totally useless items. I've seen the light; I'm a born-again
kitschian. Let me show you : A my list. But wait, who the heck is Ed, you're probably wondering. He's Edwin Owre — Dr. Owre to some, a tenured professor in the art department at the University of Vermont. Ed is also known in some (very small) circles as the "king of kitsch." Last spring he helped
— boasting umpteen objets like a glow-in-the-dark Virgin Mary, a hand-crocheted flying saucer, a Mr. T air freshener and, of course, a velvet Elvis. If this museum entered a limbo contest, it could go the lowest. At its inaugural bash Ed held court
• P | | P f r i u i t with red suspenders and a wide-load stars 'n' stripes tie. His sartorial tastes matched the hallway's contents perfectly. Hanging out with Ed is, uh, educational. Continuing Ed, you might say. But you have to be a good listener. A little shy and a mutterer, Ed makes a lot
HZ** f j K j f ^ y of funny and i l S ^ f ^ enlightening remarks in the direction of the floor. And he's got an unerring nose for items that by any other name are junk. He seeks out kitsch with a zeal that some reserve for the rescue of baby seals.
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on pave 7