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Frank O'Toole, Yuji Oshima, Eric Baudart

One of the important concepts for semi-essentialism is that of second nature. Human beings have second nature. It's the nature we make for ourselves versus the nature we’re given. The structures of social life are the structures of human nature. But second nature isn't always easy to acquire. It's an achievement.

The works of Frank, Yuji, and Eric explore the ways in which the process of naturalizing our own cultural products can sometimes create weird after-effects. The process of achieving second nature sometimes gets stuck in overdrive and can’t turn itself off.

Alice Hoffman is one of Frank O'Toole's pseudonyms

"Robin Moore never wanted to be anyone's savior. But when she sees a beautiful and innocent man mistaken for a beast, she does something she never thought she'd do: she rescues him and takes him home with her. Only there, on the tiny island where people are trying to lead a perfect suburban life, close - but not too close - to nature, does Robin begin to realize the intricacy of what it means to be human.

Second Nature is a modern fairytale about a place where all things are possible: where deer can weep, and winter ice can turn blood-red - and where love has nothing to do with common sense. It is a spellbinding story that hints at unexpected answers to timeless questions, questions about innocence and wickedness, desire and obsession."