Looks Good (10.7.08)

Brendan Fernandes at Nuit Blanche: Toronto knows how to party. This sunset to sunrise exhibition/event already took place, but Fernandes' monumental piece Future (· · · - - - · · ·) Perfect deserves a post-post. A series of stacked shipping containers, the outdoor installation pulsed with a dramatic lighting score that indicated S-O-S in morse code. Meant to address the trauma of migration, displacement and change, the work also evoked Moshe Safdie’s utopic Habitat housing scheme, produced for the 1967 Montreal Exposition. While Safdie's ideology included all people regardless of class, race or gender, Fernandes’ structure signals its failure and "the susceptibility of these social projects to capitalist forces." See more pictures of the installation on the artist's website. Fernandes will participate in the 2008-2009 AIM program at the Bronx Museum.

Street Art, Street Life at the Bronx Museum: I'll have to make one of my bi-annual trips to the Bronx for this; I hear it's worth every minute of the long haul from Brooklyn. Beginning October 15, you can also see Fatimah Tugger's project Transient Transfer along the Grand Concourse. The project is presented in association with the Public Art Fund. Bronx Museum assistant curator, Erin Riley-Lopez, recommends stopping in the borough's Little Italy (Arthur Avenue) where they "have all kinds of delectable treats." According to the NYT," the baked-good-to-resident ratio is one of the highest in the city."

I Kiffe NY: A salute to the city by French artists whose identities are deeply anchored in urban life. Pronounced “keef” and borrowed from the Arabic language, this French slang word means to adore, to be absolutely crazy about something or someone. The festivities run through October 28.

Chocolate Scones: I kiffe chocolate. This recipe--with white and dark chocolate chunk filling--provides an interesting link to the history of scones, including the etymology: "Some say the name comes from where the Kings of Scotland were crowned, the Stone (Scone) of Destiny. Others believe the name is derived from the Dutch word "schoonbrot" meaning fine white bread or from the German word "sconbrot" meaning 'fine or beautiful bread'. Still others say it comes from the Gaelic 'sgonn' a shapeless mass or large mouthful." Read more.

Open Studios at 146 11th Avenue in Chelsea: Recognized as "one of the last standing relics of old New York," the building hosts studios of more than 10 artists who will open their doors from 6-9pm this Friday, October 10. Artists: Andrew Poneros, Annysa Ng, Midori Harima, Thomas Beale, Vadis Turner, Daphane Park, Graham Gillmore, Anthony Graviano, Marcus Leatherdale, Margaret Roleke, John Wells, and more.

Dan Asher at White Columns: If you ask me, the photographs are the highlight of the show. The video too is quite lovely (Roberta Smith seems to agree). On view through October 25.

The Secret Life of Bees: A new movie starring Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys. Honey, if it weren't for Dakota Fanning and this trailer I'd think it was Dreamgirls 2. Speaking of bees--they're disappearing. Häagen-Dazs is trying to raise awareness of Colony Collapse Disorder, the mysterious condition that has caused a dramatic increase in honeybee colony losses. See the documentary.

Toscanini’s Ice Cream: Boston is a frightening place. Something about the graves of America's founding fathers freaks me out (more so than any other burial site). But I recently learned that "Bostonians eat more ice cream than anyone else in the country" and the city boasts "the best ice cream in the world." Serious Eats put it to a taste test, but this picture has already convinced me to give the city another chance. The ICA Boston appears to have some good stuff too.