Albert Oehlen & Mayo Thompson
Unappetitlich ist das Baden im Schleim

Unappetitlich ist das Baden im Schleim (Bathing in Slime is Disgusting) is an artist’s book created by Albert Oehlen with musician/writer Mayo Thompson.  The book includes many of Oehlen’s stage and costume designs for Wagner’s opera Tannhauser, and reproductions of drawings made during his stay in Rio de Janeiro in 1986.  Interwoven with these works is a written text by Mayo Thompson which is heavily annotated by Oehlen.  Critical of the perceived dramatization and theatricality employed in opera and more recent forms such as rock music, Thompson asks: “Is it over yet?”