Friday June 17 - Sending out Men Beg books slowly only have 50 now closer to 25 . Heard from Vince Leo yesterday a post card he's found an image in one of my notebooks that he's fascinated with, it's Greek a youth carrying a giant penis under her arm. It's one of my favorites too. Last week heard from the Sherarts they were very sweet. Several people sent nothing which may just be they are in Venice. It's a Venice Bienale summer. No Venice for Bruce Nauman who was a big star 2 years ago. But this year seems like NoName artists with a few exceptions . It might as well be the moon here in the upper MidWest the big news is the Twins revival after a dismal first part of the baseball season. The Men Beg is tardy the idea of another Man Bag has been around for a decade it became a bit more difficult as Stu Mead has lived in Berlin most of that time. When we began Man Bag we were on the same bus line a few miles apart. The new iteration of Man Bag is very good no use quibbling during a recession one's lucky to get an art book together when the underground economy is very broke. But finally Pakito Bolino / le dernier cri put this out and delivered this 112 page smith sewn book(with some flurescent ink!). Minimal rection from some others quite pleased. I thought the edit was harsh but some places it works very well. Most of the writing I did was ommited, after all it's a French audience and a European audience more than English speaking. Ken Feingold was interested, Stewart Turnquist got a big bang out of the book but he's very partisan towards Stu and my projects, Joe Woodside was pleased and pleased not have to pay (the book is for sale from lederniercri.org for 20 Euros about $31 US). Christian Peterson @miaarts.org very delighted gave me a tip! Greg Zimmer bought 2 copies @ $50 each as did an anonymous buyer at CO Exhibitions. Gave one to Sean Smude at CO opening he's very civilised fellow . It's always fun to give people art it subversive in the best way possible it's alchemy,
The show at CO Exhibitions was ok but no money came of it . That sadly has been the fate of work forever. Thinking more about the Waker show coming next year February. Communications with Darsi pretty minimal. Betsy though is very nice supportive it does feel like Darsi handed the show off to her but it's something odd that I can't fathom. Then again it's alot better than it was. This can be a very frosty town when you are out of fashion. It's been nice to have more converstion with Stu, we used to prop each other up when we were trying to make some noise with Man Bag . And in most ways we were the best friends you hear about but never have. Cutting this short to be continued blogger has a tummy ache .