ABSTRACT
In contrast to the sheer sophistication of the readings of Simmel and Visser comes ‘Lizard Man’, a descriptive account of a work of art. Erik Sprague has taken adornment as far as it can go via forked tongue and Teflon implants. In many ways the case is an extreme manifestation of Simmel’s central point that ‘the meaning is to single the personality out’. With sharpened teeth and scale-like tattoos Mr Sprague’s personality is very much singled out. Moreover the cost and value of the body modifications conforms to Simmel’s notion that adornment is ‘a synthesis of the individual’s having and being’.
