Celebrating the journal Wet

"Wet: The Magazine of Gourmet Bathing" was published in Venice between 1976 and 1981, a time when a certain segment of America was discovering redwood hot tubs, outdoor hot springs and the cultural and artistic pleasures of water. The magazine evolved into more writing about avant-garde arts, with contributors who included Matt Groening, Kristine McKenna and Ann Bardach. Founder Leonard Koren has a new book called Making WET: The Magazine of Gourmet Bathing, with flackage that insists "WET's quirky, prescient editorial sensibility helped catalyze the graphic styles later known as New Wave and Postmodern."

In pictures and words, 'Making WET: The Magazine of Gourmet Bathing' tells the story of WET, from its beginnings in a Venice Beach art milieu to its apotheosis as must-have inspiration for imaginators of every stripe.

There's a publication party the evening of March 28 at La Luz de Jesus Gallery. And there's a web gallery of the old Wet covers.