It's In My Cards

Just when I had given up on trying to find or create time to blog, I somehow found 10 minutes to have my palms and tarot cards read. "Christine The Psychic" could see my passions for food and creativity and predicted that one day I'll own a very successful restaurant. While it sounded good, I sought a second opinion from my new star chart advisor. She concurred saying, "You need fire in your life." Hmm. Still skeptical, I have to admit that the readings sparked my return to Contemporary Confections.

LOOKS SCRUMPTIOUS:

Corey Arcangel for Frieze Projects: Arcangel intervened in the fair’s gallery selection process by hiding a golden ticket inside one of hundreds of chocolate bars that were sent to galleries with unsuccessful applications to this year’s fair. Winner: Studiò di Giovanna Simonetta.

Catherine Opie: American Photographer: Programs for this mid-career survey exhibition include"Identity and Its Aftermaths," a panel discussion with Coco Fusco, Jennifer Gonzalez, and Simon Leung on Oct. 2 at 6:30pm. Liz Kotz, Assistant Professor at UC Riverside, moderates this Guggenheim program.

Open House New York: Flavorpill suggests stopping by Chelsea's soon-to-be-green Highline; Renzo Piano's brand-new New York Times building; and Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. Launch party on October 3, 7-9pm.

Dark Gingerbread Pear Cake: It only takes an hour to make and would be great with a cup of tea on a rainy day. You might consider this a naughty alternative to Hungry Girl's Low-Calorie Banana Bread, which after a few bites, starts to taste just as good as the buttery stuff.

Kota Ezawa: Multiplex: An exhibition featuring two new animations by Ezawa that draw from the 1961 film Last Year at Marienbad (still image above), and a YouTube video showing an infamous 2004 brawl at an NBA basketball game. On view at Murray Guy Gallery through October 18.

Alchemy at the Gowanus Studio Space: An exhibition examining the ways artists use discarded or everyday objects to promote environmental awareness and investigate human relationships with nature. Check out green artist/designer Atom Cianfarani's project For the Birds. The artist has mounted birdhouses/roosting boxes in public and private spaces throughout Brooklyn. View this Google map for specific locations.

Roasted Plums with Greek Yogurt: A great way to satisfy a sweet tooth when you're trying to "be good." Next year, swap the plums for a baked SweeTango, a new apple that's a cross of the HoneyCrisp and Zestar varieties. Since it's not available for public consumption until Fall 2009, use everyday apples for now in this French Apple Tart.

Art for Obama: An online auction of photographs to benefit the Obama Campaign. October 1-8 bid on works by Larry Fink, Hank Willis Thomas, Laurie Simmons, Dawoud Bey, James Welling and other big name artists. Other Art for Obama events include an exhibition/fundraiser at Nabi Gallery. Nabi will contribute 100% of the proceeds from the sale of Denise Regan's poster Obama Please Win (pictured above) to the Obama Victory Fund.

In A Box: An exhibition at the Canco Lofts in Jersey City, inspired by the architecture and mythology of The American Can Company (aka CANCO). Ideas and images are presented as 8"x10" paper printouts. On View October 3-31; click here for directions.

Chocolate-Glazed Chocolate Tart: Go all out with this "triple layer of crumbly crust, truffle-like interior, and an almost patent-leather-shiny glaze..."

The Clouds Are After Me: Kambui Olujimi's latest project consists of 300 small painted collages that are meant to be in dialog with the nation’s climate of perpetual fear. The project is exhibited simultaneously at three venues across the nation: the Main Gallery at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Branch Gallery in North Carolina; and DAAP Gallery at the University of Cincinnati.