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August 6, 2001
Institute of Official Cheer 
While the imagery might be free
of irony, the selections and commentary at the Institute of Official Cheer
are decidedly tongue-in-cheek. But the site's creator, Minneapolis Star-Tribune
columnist James Lileks, stays just this side of sarcasm as he pokes fun at advertising,
illustrations, and recipes from the World War II and postwar eras. Lileks manages
to find lightheartedness even in the more disturbing images, like those in the "Art
of Art Frahm," where he points out the recurring themes of celery and groceries
in Frahm's odd pinups. Many of the jokes in the "Gallery of Regrettable Food,"
such as those about cooking with lard, depend on cultural changes in nutrition and
diet, although dishes like "Seven-Up Cheese-Filled Pancakes" are timelessly
appalling. Strange publicity photos and abandoned advertisement mascots are among
the other features (some of which are noted for their strong language.) The Institute
of Official Cheer benefits from its creator's genuine affection toward the spirit
of these cultural relics.
--Jo Rosenbohm
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