A.O. Scott on Criticism

A scene from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971, Paramount.

Image courtesy MPTV.net. Recipe: Willy Wonka Bars

Film critic A.O. Scott speaks to Ithaca Journal's, Barbara Adams, about his upcoming lecture on the role of criticism in a changing culture. Some excerpts:

What's the earliest film you can recall watching critically, seriously, that hooked you?

I have vivid memories of going to see "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," but "Fantasia" is the movie that blew my mind. I realized how much a movie could do - it didn't even have to tell a story to grab hold of you...

Your talk at Ithaca College is on "criticism as a way of life."

...This talk is an opportunity to think out loud about what I do - to reflect a little about what criticism is and what it's for. A lot of people think that critics are snobs or are always negative - that our job is to trash things that people like. Or that critics are failed artists...

I'm interested in the changes in the print media and what's going on now with the Internet - the prominence of blogging and what that means for arts criticism...I'm not speaking about "why my job is great and everyone should listen to me," but about why criticism is an intelligent and lively form of discipline. About why having a critical perspective on the arts you care about is important and worthwhile and necessary. If criticism were to cease as an activity, a lot would go with it.

So what's a critic's main function?

To engage or begin a conversation about or inspired by some work of art, to provoke and stimulate thought and argument. Not just to say a work is good or bad, but in a coherent, lively way to share thoughts and impressions and create a virtual dialogue. What's intriguing about the Internet is that it's an actual dialogue.

Read the complete interview.

Warm Milk

Holly after sleeping pills as displayed at the Frieze Art Fair in London, October 2006.

Warm milk is supposed to promote restful sleep and it's great with a little added flavor. Here's a link to a recipe for my personal favorite, Warm Milk and Honey; and another for Warm Milk with Nutmeg. I suggest swapping the white sugar in the latter recipe for a small shot of white rum and/or a cinnamon stick.

If you were job hunting on the AAM website this week (slim pickins'), perhaps you came across this sleep-oriented "internship":

"The New Museum of Contemporary Art is offering to pay local women to take a sleeping pill and crawl into bed for six hours. Per the job application, participants must be between 18 and 40 years of age, and willing to come to the museum, 'consume a sleeping aid, get into a bed installed in the exhibition space, and sleep as many consecutive hours as possible' as part of The Generational: Younger Than Jesus, an installation by Chu Yun."

Learn more...

A Mixed Bag: 1.29.09

Jane South, "Untitled (Tower), 2008. Courtesy of Spencer Brownstone Gallery.

Jane South in Soho: Viewers can walk through the interior of the artist's new 16 foot-high sculpture, on view at Spencer Brownstone Gallery through Feb. 21.

Say It Ain't So: Domino, the hip interior design magazine, is folding.

The End: Analyzing Art in Troubled Times: A group exhibition that seeks to analyze the power of art in troubled times. Opens at the Andy Warhol Museum on February 7.

Deep Cuts: Starbucks is cutting jobs and stores (make a Venti Mocha Frappe Whatever at home); the bar portion of Sound Fix in Williamsburg is getting the axe; Bay Area theaters are cutting back; Cutters opens at the Leubsdorf Gallery at Hunter College today.

Shopping and Dining with the Walker: The Walker Art Center staff visits the NY International Gift Fair and dines with Alessi. [thanks, Hrag]

Sweet Botulism: Dessert sauces recalled.

Free chocolate kisses at Laguardia Airport; a six-minute Chocolate and Blackberry cake; a sweet night out at Baltimore's 18th annual chocolate fair; and damage assessment at Hershey.

Ask Dr. Frieden: The NYC Health Commissioner answers questions about calorie posting, sodium and more.

Casting the Net: British public art collections are going online; and the National Film Board of Canada launched a new site for their award-winning pictures. [via Flavorpill Daily Dose]

The Printed Blog: The inaugural issue of this Chicago-based newsletter, completely comprised of blog posts, includes a rant titled "It's Time to Shut Up About Cupcakes." (PDF, page 6)

Chicago Chef Moves to the White House: Scroll down to the "sweet tooth" section to learn the weaknesses of President Clinton and Nancy Reagan.

Ghostly Juxtapositions: Sergei Larenkov photoshops WWII-era images with photographs of modern day sites. [via Boing Boing]

P.I.M.P.S. in Soviet Realist Pop: Alex Melamid's paintings of Snoop, 50 Cent and other rap celebrities are on view at Forum Gallery through March 14.

Hank Willis Thomas: Pitch Blackness: The exhibition, titled after the artist's 2008 book published by Aperture, opens at Jack Shainman Gallery on Feb. 12.

Sonic Youth Co-Curates: An exhibition of the band's projects with artists, filmmakers, designers, and musicians, as well as some works of art selected by Sonic Youth. Opens at Kunsthalle Düsseldorf on Jan. 31.

Reflecting on Prospect.1

Katharina Grosse, "Untitled (detail)," 2008.

I've written an article for the webzine NYFA Current about Prospect.1 New Orleans and its impact on local communities. An excerpt:

Reflecting on my own experience of the biennial, a casual statement made by a collector amid the opening events continues to resound: “This is great, but no one will come after we [art world types] leave.” While others nodded in agreement, it was disheartening to think that Prospect.1 might cease to be attractive once the ribbons were cut, the parties and brunches were over, and the heavy-hitters of the art world went home. Certainly, the importance of the biennial would manifest beyond the gaze (and pockets) of this small monarchy.

Also in this issue:
An Art Market Recession Report by Hrag Vartanian
Elia Alba: Identity Unmasked by Sara Reisman

Peter Scott on Big Box Reuse
An Interview with Chiara Clemente and Swoon by Suzan Sherman

Looks Good: Red Velvet Black and White Cookies

Courtesy of Joy the Baker.

Black and Whites are said to be the cookies of New York City. They make me retch. But Joy The Baker's recipe with red velvet might just change my distaste to utter satisfaction.

Ingredients

Coookie/Cake:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 Tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk

Vanilla Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 Teaspoon light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Glaze:
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
3 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

In an unflattering report about a local bakery, John Del Signore of Gothamist wrote, "When any decent baker should have been selling racially harmonious black and white cookies [a la Seinfeld] by the truckload, one Greenwich Village bakery outraged neighbors by selling a 'Drunken Negro Face' cookie in 'honor' of President Obama." At first, Ted Kefalinos, proprietor of Lafayette French Pastry, insisted that the inauguration cookie was "a fun face." But last week he apologized for the awful creation saying, "Seriously, from the bottom of my heart, it was an innocent design I created. It was nothing more than just a piece of art." You be the judge.

Eye Candy: Vik Muniz at MoMA

Installation view of Artist's Choice: Vik Muniz, Redux with John Baldessari's "Goya Series: And," 1997, left.

Photo: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

Sweet stuff portraitist, Vik Muniz, will speak at MoMA on Wednesday, February 11 at 6:30pm. Muniz is the ninth artist to participate in "Artist's Choice," a series of exhibitions in which an artist serves as curator, selecting works from MoMA’s vast collection to create an exhibition. The closing party, an evening of music curated by Muniz with renowned DJ Beverly Bond, takes place on Tuesday, February 10. Cocktails for this event will be provided by Sagatiba. Below, learn how to mix their signature cocktail, the Sagatiba Socialite:

Roberta Smith calls Muniz's exhibition "excellent" and "a marvelous teaching tool that lives up to its title with unusual extravagance if you give it enough time and attention." Artist's Choice: Vik Muniz, Rebus is on view through February 23, 2009.

Looks Good: Tagalongs

Tagalong Girl Scout Cookie.

National Peanut Butter Day is January 24. I was catching up on the latest news regarding the peanut butter recall (sacrilege!) and found a list of specific products to avoid. Girl Scout Cookies--specifically Tagalongs and Do-Si-Dos--are in the clear. Tagalongs (aka Peanut Butter Patties) are round cookies with a layer of peanut butter on top, and covered in chocolate. Do-Si-Dos (aka Peanut Butter Sandwiches) are round, bumpy perforated oatmeal cookies with a peanut butter-flavored layer in the middle.

The annual sale of Girl Scout Cookies began January 9 and runs through March. Can't find a scout in your hood? Major brands of jarred peanut butter appear to be safe from the salmonella outbreak, so make a batch of Tagalongs at home:

Ingredients

Cookie:
1 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk

Filling:
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (natural or regular)
3/4 cup Confectioners sugar
A generous pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
About 8-oz semisweet chocolate

Instructions at Bakingbites.com.

A new study launched by the Girl Scout Research Institute titled "The New Leadership Landscape: What Girls Say about Election 2008" found that as a result of the presidential election, and the intense campaign season that preceded it, girls in particular have not only gained an increased awareness of the barriers that face women, but also an improved sense of their own abilities and potential to overcome those obstacles. Read more about the study.

Looks Good: Banana and Fromage Blanc Grilled Cheese

Courtesy Chow.com

Ingredients
3 tablespoons fromage blanc
1/2 medium banana, small dice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
2 (1/2-inch-thick, 3 1/2–by–3 1/2–inch-long) slices cinnamon raisin bread

Instructions at Chow.com

[via Apartment Therapy]

A Mixed Bag: The Resolutioner's Edition

Resolutioner: A new or rarely seen gym member who's sudden appearance has undoubtedly been brought about by a personal resolution to "get in shape" [usually accompanied by a new diet]. Viewed as somewhat of a nuisance by regular gym patrons, because their commitment to fitness [and dieting] is often only temporary (usually fading within 2-8 weeks of initial sighting). Resolutioners can most easily be identified by looking for the following: 1) brand new, color coordinated workout apparel 2) sweat bands and/or leather gloves 3) stylish off-the-shelf water bottle 4) bad form and lack of confidence around the machines. (See more vintage equipment here).

Free to be Fed: If you missed Nayland Blake's live restaging of Gorge last week, Joann of the blog UpDownAcross has some nice pics.

Eating like Old Abe: In a nod to President Lincoln and his love of apples (a nutritious snack) the inauguration luncheon will conclude with an Apple Cinnamon Sponge cake.

Obama in Chocolate: A treat for the resolutioner that desires "change you can sink your teeth into." And while you're off the wagon, quench your thirst with a chocolate Sapporo beer.

Fit for Wii: Artist Rashaad Newsome uses a hacked Wii controller in his performance Shade Compositions. The artist and his cast of saucy ladies will perform at The Kitchen on February 12 & 13.

ING on a Diet: The Dutch financial services company is slimming down its art collection.

Workout in Style for Less: Gyms are slashing membership prices; fitness experts predict that health will trump money in the recession; and tap water is the new black.

Recession-Induced Vegetarianism: Been there, done that, and still a veg. It doesn't have to be a bad thing or a bland diet. Case in point, the recipe for Roasted Apricot Ice Cream with Almond Praline Ripple. Yumm.

Gym-goer/designer Marc Jacobs honors designer/artist Stephen Sprouse.

The 2009 Comeback Kid: Take no dieting tips from the talented Amy Winehouse, but fashion tips? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Sweet toothed: 2008 was a good year for vampires. They don't eat food and they're dead. Take the hint?

Review 2008 in food and read the food trends for 2009.

Strong Cocktails at Bodhi Art: Working out and stepping into frigid January air can cause a nasty cold, so it makes sense that National Hot Toddy Day is this month. I say up the brandy from two shots to a half pint. Strong Cocktails, Julian Schnabel's first exhibition in Mumbai, closes Jan. 21.

"Out With the Fat, In With the Hungry" wrote Holland Cotter last month. In this video Richard Armstrong of the Guggenheim Foundation & Museum; Andrew Hamingson of The Public Theatre; and Phillipe Vergne of DIA Art Foundation also discuss the arts in economic crisis.

Grandpa's Diet Plan: The Art of Manliness, a blog "dedicated to uncovering the lost art of being a man," offers "manly" diet tips for the new year. Uh, ladies, you can follow these tips too.

Some Pain, Some Gain: Another so-called silver lining in the art market clouds.

Sweet Reads

Strawberry Shortcake. Courtesy of CakeLove.

Purchasing cookbooks seems a tad extravagant when a few keywords and clicks can quickly provide a recipe for just about anything I've ever (or never) dreamed of. But it probably goes without saying that clicking through websites is not quite the same as a bound book. Here are some recent additions to my kitchen:

CakeLove: How to Bake Cakes from Scratch: Warren Brown left his career in law to bake cakes. In 2002 he opened CakeLove, a retail bakery specializing in cakes and small sweets baked from scratch. Brown shares his cake skills and Renee Comet provides the photographs. Comet has photographed for more than 30 cookbooks.

Dessert Fourplay: Sweet Quartets from a Four-Star Pastry Chef: The title and the hot tattooed guy on the cover were enough for me--into the shopping cart you go. Paula Deen says, “Y'all...I just love a man who knows his way around some chocolate!" Preach, girl, preach.

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Book: Though the source of a recent salmonella outbreak, peanut butter is definitely my favorite food. I'll be cooking from this book a lot in 2009 and probably for the rest of my life. I'm looking forward to making PB from scratch, PB Scones, and Peanut Kale soup.

The Cook's Encyclopedia of Four Ingredient Cooking: I quickly grabbed this book from the $5 bin at Barnes and Noble a few weeks ago. As of today, you can purchase a used copy online for $1.99. Chocolate-Stuffed Prunes; Creamed Coconut Macaroons; White Chocolate Castles; and a Meringue Pyramid with Chocolate Mascarpone are a few highlights from this collection of more than 200 recipes.

Martha Stewart's Cookies: The Very Best Treats to Bake and to Share: Voted one of the best cookbooks of 2008, the book boasts "the perfect cookie [recipe] for every occasion" and a full-color photograph of each. I have to say that Martha's Cookie-of-the-Day web feature looks just as good.

The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs: The so-called definitive guide to creating "deliciousness" in any dish.

Eye Candy: Kalup Linzy at EAI

Kalup Linzy, Keys to Our Heart, 2008. 4-minute preview.

Electronic Arts Intermix will present a free screening and talk with artist Kalup Linzy (whose work is now available through EAI) on Wednesday, January 14 at 6:30 pm.

The evening will include the New York premier of Linzy's new video, Keys To Our Heart, which was created for Prospect.1 New Orleans. The artist stars in this black-and-white narrative as a misanthropic grande dame who dispenses advice to a trio of troubled young lovers. Linzy, who performs all of the characters' dialogue, shot and directed Keys To Our Heart in the style of a Hollywood melodrama. The piece was commissioned by Creative Capital.

Linzy will also screen two recent works, Melody Set Me Free (2007) and SweetBerry Sonnet (Remixed) (2008), followed by a Q&A.

Looks Good: Roscón de Reyes

Uploaded to Flickr on January 7, 2009 by Photosíntesis.

Three Kings Day (TKD), or the celebration of Epiphany, was yesterday. TKD is often viewed as the official end of the twelve days of Christmas and commemorates the day that three kings brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus (btw, The Guardian reports that thefts of baby Jesus figurines are sweeping the US).

What I think is most important is the cake associated with TKD. Called "King Cake" in the context of Mardi Gras and Carnival, it is known as "Galette/Gâteau des Rois" in France, Belgium and Switzerland; "Bolo Rei" in Portugal; or "Roscón de Reyes" in Spanish-speaking countries. The Roscón de Reyes pictured above has a chocolate truffle filling, but a good-looking recipe from NOLA Cuisine calls for a pecan filling and a little Bourbon kick in the glaze topping.

El Museo del Barrio hosted their annual Three Kings Day Parade yesterday (complete with live animals). The Museum will also host a Three Kings Day Celebration this Saturday, Jan. 10 from 3 to 5pm. El Museo's galleries are currently under renovation, but you can visit "Heresies," a four-decade retrospective of photographs by Pedro Meyer, on Saturdays by guided tour only.