Neiman Marcus Cookies for the Holidays

A friend gave me this recipe. Lots of treats for a little bit of effort!

NEIMAN-MARCUS COOKIES

2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the
butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour,
oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar,
and nuts. Roll into balls, and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies

The Norman Rockwellization of Porn

Harry and I attended John Currin's vernissage at Gagosian Gallery on November 11. Currin's technique gets better and better - but his subject matter swings from one cliche to another. There are mountains of irony and kitch - all painted to masterful effect. My first impression was that Currin is taking on the Musee D' Orsay's painting L'Origine du monde (1866) by Corbet as part of his goal of assuming the mantle as America's Lucien Freud or Bacon. History repeats itself here with Rockwellesque scenarios and suburban vanitas. Other work addresses art historical and cultural references... from early American portrature to porn.

Eric Fischl spoke at VCU last week. I asked him what he thought of Currin's show. His comments are posted here. If you love figuration you'll probably find things of interest in this show but there isn't a lot of heart in the work. That's Currin's general failing in my book. Ambition over heart - it's his mojo and its a winning one in Chelsea and most every other art market or art school. His paintings are novel but could they ever stand up to a Rembrandt?

The opening was quite a scene... its a shame we had to rush back downtown my friend Goxwa's opening but that's the way it is - everything happens at once.

The VCCA turns 35

It isn't often I can be in the city for a VCCA reunion. This year everything fell into place: my Parisian friend Goxwa would be in NYC for her vernissage and it dovetailed nicely with the VCCA birthday celebration. I was thrilled to meet some of the new VCCA staff since my time at Moulin a Nef was amazing. I met up with Sally and David among the many people who came together in Chelsea to celebrate the VCCA, the life of Robert Johnson, the VCCA staffer who recently passed away and of course being in the city at the same time, place, etc.

Afterwards I hung out at the Half King while I attempted to telephone the painter Linda Dennis. We met at the Vermont Studio Center in 1999 and I was curious to catch up with her and see her new loft, new work, etc. I never managed to catch up with Linda but I had a tall Guiness and a basket of fries over an interesting conversation with a young fashion designer and his friends. We talked about Project Runway, the pros and cons of the Chelsea meat market. At the end of the day there was my friend Carole who has always been there for me when my flight has been canceled or delayed. She is my savior!