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Wednesday, Jan 7, 2009
She made her name memorializing the most prized equipment of famed rockers like Hendrix. Three decades later the work's still hard, but satisfying.
Jul 12, 2000 | Cynthia Plaster Caster became famous in the 1960s for making plaster casts of rock stars' penises, and she's honest about what inspired her. Her work is not a commentary on the sexual revolution, she says, nor a statement about the nature of celebrity. She doesn't glorify what she -- and her artwork -- is all about. She's just a woman with a sly sense of humor and a passion for rock 'n' roll -- and men.
Back in 1966, when she was a 19-year-old art college student (and frustrated virgin) in Chicago, her professor gave Cynthia a weekend assignment to make a plaster cast of "something solid." She and one of her aspiring groupie friends knew what they had to do next. Cynthia didn't succeed in casting anyone that weekend, but her plaster casting supplies got her introduced to Paul Revere and the Raiders. (She succeeded on another level, however, when she lost her virginity that weekend to lead singer Mark Lindsay.) She was hooked: Handing out her "Plaster Caster" calling cards was enough to set her ahead of the groupie pack.
After experimenting with different casting materials including wax, clay and aluminum foil, she perfected her technique with dental alginates. Soon, she was meeting rock legends from Keith Moon to Jimi Hendrix (the largest cast in her collection). Later, she was the subject of the 1977 Kiss song "Plaster Caster" and Frank Zappa became her patron.
While being a groupie and plaster casting are still heavily identified with the rock excesses of the '60s, Cynthia is, in fact, still relatively active in her hobby. Her recent subjects include Momus, Jello Biafra, Jon Langford of the Mekons and Ronnie Barnett of the Muffs; and she has her eye on Jarvis Cocker of Pulp. She recently dusted off her phallic castings for an exhibit, which runs through July 29 at New York's Thread Waxing Space, and a new documentary titled "Plaster Caster" will be released in 2001.
Now 53, with auburn-and-blond streaked hair, Cynthia doesn't look a day over 35. She doesn't have a boyfriend, but "there are some cutie-pies out there that I'm acquainted with," she says. Above all, she doesn't shy away from discussing her encounters with favorite rockers and their not-so-private parts.
You've been described as a groupie and as an artist. Which label is more appropriate?
Both equally. What is a groupie and what isn't a groupie? That is a long, involved answer. Even though I may not be actively a groupie at all times, I feel like I've got groupie in my blood. Not that I'm about to join Groupies Anonymous anytime soon. But I'm also an artist and a collector. And a fan.
You don't have a problem with the word "groupie"?
Hell no! Well, It does have a stigma attached to it, but it really shouldn't. There are different definitions in different dictionaries. I read one that said a groupie is a young girl who pursues musicians in order to have sex with them. I'm not young, and I know male groupies. I don't think you even always have sex to be called a groupie. You can want to have it. There's a lot of legitimate groupies; they want to have sex with musicians but they have jobs related to music. And they're in total denial about being groupies, and I think that's pathetic. What's wrong with being attracted to sexy men who make fabulous music and are really smart? And occasionally are fabulous in bed!
Why are sex and rock 'n' roll so intertwined?
It could have something to do with the beat, which resembles a good fuck sometimes [laughs]. I've actually been sexually stimulated by the sound of a really sexy tune; it would draw me to men, more than their looks sometimes. And then it was always helpful if they were good-looking too!
Your work is so heavily identified with the '60s. Why is it still relevant today?
I'm really happy that people want to get cast. I don't know if it's a backlash to the AIDS scare, or just that a lot of guys may want to be on the same mantelpiece as Jimi Hendrix. They seem to be more interested than they ever were.
Are you more well-known today?
Yeah, I seem to be. It's cool, but it's strange. My partner and I never did it to become famous.
Why did you keep doing it if it wasn't for fame?
Initially it was to get laid because we were shy. And then when we finally got around to learning how to do it, it kind of backfired for me in the sex department, because I wound up being the mold mixer, and I hardly got laid as a result! First it was a shtick to get laid, and then as it progressed, I got this collector's impulse to collect more and more. And then people told me it was art, and it is art in the school of Andy Warhol, art repetition.
What's the criteria for people you decide to cast now?
In my mind, they have to be superheroic and talented. Not just musical. I have a soft spot for artists in general. I'm interested in maybe a cool politician -- Rev. Jesse Jackson, whoa, man! Top of my hit list, honey!
Have you tried to get into the political arena?
No, it's tough. And I don't really pursue it anymore. If I get introduced to someone, I like for these guys to get to know me and for me to get to know them so we can get comfortable with each other. 'Cause it's also done for fun! And everyone should have a good time. Especially the stimulator.
Do you do any of your own stimulating?
Ironically, I have been doubling roles lately at my advanced age! Which is fun. I've done it a few times.
Is it hard for you to do both?
It is. It's hard to coordinate. For the subject's sake, it's really not recommended. It was originally called the Plaster Casters, two girls in Chicago.
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