A Mixed Bag (6.3.09)

Adeela Suleman, Drained, 2009. Electroplated pan drainer, nuts and bolts. Courtesy of Aicon Gallery.

Failing States: A large-scale survey of works by emerging Pakistani artists, Tazeen Qayyum and Adeela Suleman. Opens today at Aicon Gallery in London.

Calicomplications: Speaking of failing states, George Mitrovitch rants about the fiscal situation in Cali.

Capitol Progress: The recent vote to recognize same-sex marriages in the District of Columbia may signal a changing tide, specifically among black communities.

Wedding Cupcakes: A Cook's Illustrated recipe adapted by Nook 'n Pantry.

Baking Cakes is the New Black.

Black Presidential: A new body of work by Fahmou Pecou that challenges new black stereotypes being fashioned around the Obamas. In Basel at the Volta 5 fair, June 8-13.

Cake goes Art Deco. [via Apartment Therapy]

smArtphone: Students at UC San Diego design the Freephone, an art project that aims to provide people just deported from the U.S. with a free phone call.

Finger Paint: Jorge Colombo's iPhone painting covers The New Yorker.

Tainted Paint: Reports of rashes and skin irritations due to high yeast and mold counts have resulted in a recall on face paint.

Kids: I swear kid #3 ("Sienna") sat for Margaret Keane.

The Golden Child: The Queen of England plays Wii with bling.

Fashion Fall: The last time I heard "Lacroix" was in Lil' Kim's hit, "Crush On You." It's no surprise that the fashion house has filed for bankruptcy.

Talking Head: Fader tours the workspace of environmentalist David Bryne.

Cool Tops: The U.S. Energy Secretary suggests painting roofs an energy-reflecting white to keep buildings cooler and reduce energy use.

Bryne Again: Celebrate Brooklyn launches June 8 in Prospect Park with a performance by the former Talking Heads front man.

A Gasy Treat: Free Williamsburg is giving away free beer and ice cream at the Northside Festival on June 12.

Brokelyn: A new website that focuses on the cheaper things in the borough. [via Eat It]

America Runs to Dunkin on Fri., June 5 for Free Donut Day. (Btw, today is National Running Day.)

Free Jolt: Run to Au Bon Pain after 2pm for a free iced coffee.

Oh, Joy: A Strawberry Coffee Cake recipe by Joy the Baker.

Dean Pratt: Concetta Stewart Named Dean of Pratt Institute's School of Art and Design.

BK Keeps Getting Better: Jacque Torres in Dumbo is serving ice cream with chocolate-covered Cheerios and other signature toppings.

Chocolate in Brief: A condensed history of chocolate.

Breton Buckwheat Cake: A recipe from 101 Cookbooks.

The Way We Eat: Slate Magazine recognizes the hunger for food knowledge in their current issue.

Bushwick Open Studios: Suffer the L Train for art. June 5-7.