Serrano’s work focuses on universal themes such as bodily fluids, religion, sex and death. In this new series he continues his investigation of bodily functions through brightly colored photographs of excrement produced by a motley of animals. The photographs are formally constructed and demonstrate Serrano’s considerable technical skill while analyzing subject matter that might make some viewers squeamish. The artist treats the feces to his familiar bright psychedelic backgrounds and titles that demonstrate his keen sense of humour.

Accused of passing gas, man charged with battery

Wed Sep 24, 10:16 PM

By The Associated Press

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia man who police said passed gas and fanned it toward a patrolman has been charged with battery on a police officer.

Jose A. Cruz, 34, of Clarksburg, was pulled over early Tuesday for driving without headlights, police said. According to the criminal complaint, Cruz smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and failed three field sobriety tests before he was handcuffed and taken to a police station for a breathalyzer test.

As Patrolman T.E. Parsons prepared the machine, Cruz scooted his chair toward Parsons, lifted his leg and "passed gas loudly," the complaint said.

Cruz, according to complaint, then fanned the gas toward the officer.

"The gas was very odorous and created contact of an insulting or provoking nature with Patrolman Parsons," the complaint alleged.

He was also charged with driving under the influence, driving without headlights and two counts of obstruction.

Cruz acknowledged passing gas, but said he didn't move his chair toward the officer nor aim gas at the patrolman. He said he had an upset stomach at the time, but police denied his request to go to the bathroom when he first arrived at the station.

"I couldn't hold it no more," he said.

He also denied being drunk and uncooperative as the police complaint alleged. He added he was upset at being prepared for a breathalyzer test while having an asthma attack. The police statement said he later resisted being secured for a trip to a hospital that he requested for asthma treatment.

Cruz said the officers thought the gas incident was funny when it happened and laughed about it with him.

"This is ridiculous," he said. "I could be facing time."

Canadian Tories scrap picture of pooping puffin

1 hour, 45 minutes ago

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's ruling Conservative Party have removed an image of a puffin dropping bird-poo on the shoulder of Liberal leader Stephane Dion after complaints that it was a bit too much of a dirty trick.

A Conservatives' Web sites, http://notaleader.ca, showed an animated puffin flying across the screen and plopping a white blob on the shoulder of Dion.

"It was in poor taste, and was removed as soon as it came to the attention of senior campaign officials," said Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke. The image was up for less than 10 hours. Another official said Harper never saw the website.

In the new web site, the puffin still flies behind Dion, who the Conservatives portray as weak and out of touch, but it has cleaned up its act.

(Reporting by Randall Palmer; editing by Janet Guttsman)