Sponge

By Jenny Messenger

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.

The sponge has been cleaning up our acts for centuries, both as a living creature with a remarkable capacity to regenerate and as a synthetic, germ-busting imitation of nature.

As an immobile animal, the sponge possesses a powerful combination of chemical compounds to protect itself. As an implement, it takes many forms and serves many uses, from keeping dust and grime at bay to applying makeup. It is also a rich focal point for exploring our relationship with nature. Who harvests the sponge? Who manufactures the sponge? And who wields it?

Sponge reveals narratives that many people would never connect to a common household object and draws together a surprising range of subjects: feminism, domestic gender roles, fascism, big business and environmentalism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0HH9MFM4W
• ISBN13: 9798216371243
• Release Date: August 2027
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.8" x 6.5"