shoe at Bush? He was later sentenced to 3 years in prison, which was later reduced to 1. Said shoe is carefully protected in Plexiglass and shrouded in mystery. When I asked my docent, Laura, how Mmuseumm obtained the shoe, she said it was from an “anonymous donor” and could reveal no more. The handy written guide (priced at $1 dollar) revealed that a Saudi businessman of- fered $10 million to buy the shoe and calls were made throughout the Middle East to place the shoe in an Iraqi museum. During an attack in 2011, the shoe went missing and somehow made its way to Tribeca. Alongside the shoe there is also a video mashup that pertains to the IraqWar containing the shoe-throwing episode and foot- age of troops swimming in the pool at Saddam Hussein’s mansion wherein they do cannonballs and other stunts. In keeping with Mmuseumm’s emerging ar- ray of items from the Middle East, “Censored Saudi Arabian Pool Toys” from the collection of Santiago Stelley are also on view. According to Mmuseumm’s brochure, a Saudi Arabian police force, also known as the Mutaween, used Sharp- ies to black out anything that might promote
“sexual immorality” on the packaging of pool floats found at local supermarkets. Speaking of Sharpies, Mmuseumm also boasts a collection of counterfeit Sharpies made in China from 2012. One of Mmuseumm’s more poetic collec- tions is a carefully curated display of plastic spoons. The brochure reminds us that it’s “easy to overlook this humble soup delivery tool.” But, “once you start to unpack its complex- ity you realize that a perfect spoon is a design tour de force. To begin with, this object has the hardest job at the table.” Indeed, safely trans- ferring liquid to one’s mouth from a bowl is no easy task. Because no one knows how many variations of the plastic spoon are in existence, it will never be known if Mmuseumm’s collec- tion is the largest though it’s certainly impres- sive. Spoons are something we take for granted and Mmuseumm’s visual offering reminds us just how wonderful spoons are. Other fascinating items of interest include Evander Holyfield’s ear, bitten off during his infamous match with Mike Tyson, peep show coins from the collection of “Baron Von Fancy”, an unusual “bottle opener remote”,
a “corn kernel remover”, a “chewable tooth- brush” from London, a paper sandwich, a 3 in 1 Breakfast Maker, a snow globe from North Korea, a “baby mop onesie” and carved prison soap. Because carving soap in prison is a labo- rious process for many inmates, there is also “Zest Race Car Soap” which Mmuseumm proudly displays. Zest, a sponsor of NASCAR, produced the car-shaped soap, which sold for $1.49. There’s much more including a delight- ful fake ID collection, “Saddam Watches” and a fish tank clock — the odd little things that make life interesting. Finally Mmuseumm, like other museums, has a gift shop. It’s two shelves of fun and features pins, pencils, totes, catalogs and the aforementioned fake vomit. One can also ac- quire an audio tour for a mere dollar. What Mmuseumm lacks in size it makes up for in wackiness. Rev. Jen is the author of several published books, an open mic host, screenwriter, actress, painter, general NYC weirdo and founder of NYC’s Troll Museum. *
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