Quodlibets and Ha-Has, 1999
Porcelain, plastic, fluorescent light, cardboard

35" tall

quodlibet

 SYLLABICATION: quod·li·bet
PRONUNCIATION: kwdl-bt

NOUN:
1a. A theological or philosophical issue presented for formal argument or disputation.
b. Formal disputation of such an issue. 2. Music A usually humorous medley.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Medieval Latin quodlibetum, from Latin quod libet, anything at all : quod, what; see kwo- in Appendix I + libet, it pleases, third person sing. present tense of libre, to be pleasing.

Ha-ha
As reported by the Oxford English Dictionary, according to French etymologists, derives from the exclamation of surprise one has upon encountering a sunk fence. Landowners often hid Ha-Has in their forests, to catch the unsuspecting poacher.
detail
(interior view, looking down into tube)