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p.s. Hey. ** Misanthrope, Hi. Vast ocean doesn’t bother me. I think having gravity is the differential. Ha ha, I’m not sure if referencing Patti Smith is enough to make you not out of it. I hope she (nurse, not Patti) is whispering as we speak. ** Dominik, Hi!!! Oh, good, we’re still tolerable outside here too. I have nothing against TV series, I just see how people I know who are into them get really sucked into watching the series and thinking/talking about them, and I’m so busy with projects and things that I fear being pulled into that because I don’t have the space. I did watch parts of some series when Zac and I were in LA readying to make the film — ‘Succession’, ‘Wednesday’, ‘The Last of Us’, a.o. — and they were enjoyable enough but not enough to addict me. I must simply go look for photos of Charity Kase, and I will. Ouch, I hope that love will help you out big time the next time you get one of those assignments. That really sounds painful. Love wondering if you have a clock, like an old fashioned real clock, or even a wristwatch, G. ** Jack Skelley, Skelley! Missed you on Saturday too. Editing proceeds apace. We’re getting close to bringing in a pro to help us finesse some little details. I guess your happy NYC assault is over now. I hope it all went spectacularly, and surely. Hope the Bunker is a wreck. Contain pod blew up or blew you up? No, didn’t know. How so? I liked Baudrillard on Disneyland, and I do you think you might as well, yes. Congrats, maestro! ** _Black_Acrylic, Happy to have pleased via sharing, Ben. ‘Toy Fights’: curious title, I like it. Those Edward Summerton look compelling. I’ll dwell in their vicinity. Thanks, pal. ** Nasir, Oh, yes, come to France, or Paris at least. It’s nice here. Not that it’s not nice where you are too. I should go where you are sometime. Never been, obviously. Yeah, now is not the easiest time for me to read something, but the editing will start easing soon. Take your time. I’m eternally curious. You mean the US versions of the GM Cycle? The covers of ‘Closer’, ‘Frisk’, and ‘Try’ were done by this artist/photographer Robert Flynt. Grove Press, my publisher, wanted the books to have a consistent look, and I was collaborating with Flynt on some performance art pieces at the time, so I think I suggested him, and they said yes. The covers of ‘Guide’ and ‘Period’ are by Joel Westendorf. Grove Press changed their mind and wanted something new for the covers at that point. Joel is a good friend of mine, and we figured out those covers together. Anyway, yes, those covers were my doing. I’m glad you like them. Have a swell Wednesday. ** Cody Goodnight, Hi, Cody. I’m alright, thanks. My pleasure. Your blackout was a serious one. Mine just required me to use the hotspot on my phone for a while and hope the power was restored before the batteries ran out. I hope and assume your film club will dig ‘Hedwig’. And they did? Ha ha, I can imagine that sleepless + Slint scenario, yes. I’m thrilled you like The Shangri-Las. And ‘Past, Present and Future’ is one my all-time top favorite songs. Great! Enjoy the sun and the moon. ** Darbz đłđł, Bonjour to you! Imagine it pronounced with a perfect French accent, which I very much do not have. Was that a hedgehog? It was cute. I haven’t read what you sent, I’m so sorry, I’m really just so incredibly far behind on everything because of the film editing. I can wait for your rewrite if you want, obviously. Yep, it’s even ideal if early drafts start to look like crap after a while. It means, you know, your talent is escalating. Being the amusement park obsessive that I am, yes, I know Defunctland and look at it more frequently than I probably should. I have no fear of spiders. Well, except for tarantulas. One of them chased me when I was a little kid, and they still make my blood race. Nice linked-to spider btw and of course. Thank you. Anyway, I like bugs too. When I find them in my apartment I do everything possible to let them live and make them comfortable in their squatted homes. ** Robert, Hi. So far it’s just Zac and me editing, yes. No one but us has seen anything yet. We’ll bring in a pro editor to help us with some tricky things soon, but even then we’ll be supervising him or her like hawks. I’m happy that you’re back in writing mode. It’s true about books running the show. I always assume they know what’s best. ‘Don Quixote’ is a thing to be conquered, I think, or I think I thought so when I read it. Bon day! ** Mitch, Hi, Mitch. Love to you and your San Jose surroundings from Paris and from heavily ensconced me. What’s going on? ** Right. Okay, what’s today again? Oh, right, clocks. See you tomorrow.
Now available in North America 
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Dennis –Do I see one of the cuckoo clocks from the opening scene of Pinocchio? nice! First book event is tonite and I’ve come down w hideous fever/chills/pain. truly sux. But the show must go on. Final event is this Sat and my plan is to revive by then. Contain blew me up in the sense that many peeps heard it. . That’s all i can muster right now…ugh love, Jack
Hi. I plan to settle in Paris in the fall. Do you feel is possible to have an English speaking job there? I remember you saying you manage great with speaking English and the two times I went there I spoke English with tons of people and it went great. But I hope I can find a job with English too as I learn French (which I love learning). I started on my own and look for a place there to learn them good let’s see how it goes
I love the cover of Guide. It’s perfect fit for the book. My edition is hard cover one, laminated and says on the first page “Discarded by Memphis Public Library”. I can’t wait to read again
I do tons of experiments in my mind all day long, I decided to write full time so I am going to buy some blue notebooks now. Tons more to come đ
Hi!!
Yeah, I can really understand that â about watching series. Iâm definitely the kind of person who gets sucked into them as well, and they consume a lot of time and energy. Which means that when my schedule doesnât allow me to continue them as Iâd like, itâs frustrating. (That said, I do want to check out âSuccessionâ because Iâve heard so much about it.)
I actually donât have a clock! Neither an old-fashioned real one nor a wristwatch. I used to have a wristwatch when I was in high school, but then I’ve somehow lost that habit. I just check the time on my phone now. Do you have a clock or a watch?
In case you donât â love buying you any of the clocks from above. Which one would you like? Od.
Hello DC. It is me, Satan’s spawn. How have you been? Sorry for not writing, work has been crazy and non-stop which is fine, it’s how I like it. No complaints. How are things out in Paris and how is film-editing going? I know you’re super slammed, but I really want your name to be on my novel-poster/promo that is going out in my city in August, since we probably won’t make the deadline for the printers/the back cover. Do you think it’s possible by then, you would be able to write a ‘general’ blurb about the writing? Just like taking 30-40 mins to read a few of my fave highlight scenes rather then the full book which is probably too long to read this Summer, and rather then referring to the novel, you could just refer to me which makes the blurb very usable. P.S We are currently looking for a Paris photographer to shoot you and Zac this month or in August, should be fine, we have a few guys in mind and then we can facilitate with Derek. ALSO – Do we email you or Stefan to get that photoshoot all organized? What’s going on with Post-Production fees?
Mr/Ms. A (Sir, Miss)– I so apologize for jumping in, but I could blurb your book– if it would be of any help to you. I’m a careful reader, and would love to help if you’re in a pinch. Just let me know– Best– k.
<A HREF="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2RodDv7oJ0" JULIAN SANDS R.R.P.
Mr. Dennis– Of course the clock that slaps you awake is fabulous (though– I’d worry about my hair getting wound-up in the silicone fingers…)– I know someone, a retired nuclear engineer, who rigged his bed to shake when his alarm went off, but it only worked a few times before he acclimated and slept right through– ha! Hard to sleep through head-slappnig, though, right?
So, after ‘prepping’ myself with critical videos on YouTube, I watched Skinamarink the other day and, no, not horrified in the way I was girding my loins for. Love, love, love the low camera perspective. I see things from above often, mentally, at least, but I get the smallness of the eye in the film. The little body in the crouch, trying to shrink down to nothing– I remember doing this and that was actually the real terror in the film for me. I also really liked the disembodied voices, even for the kids on screen– nothing actually recorded in the rooms. And all the black and whiteness hidden in the color (not, as has been done so much, the other way around)– Spending so much time wandering the world at night has sensitized me to so many things that normally get hidden in the dark– the light, smells, etc.. so much you can’t really see, but do in these really intense ways and I feel like I’m eavesdropping on the plants and rocks, the pavement, the gutter and the garbage cans and the animals (did you know that deer smell incredibly musky? its so weird. esp. if you startle them) and yet all this feels incredibly real at the same time– way more real than when you go into the day-lit world and come home feeling like you’ve betrayed yourself or something.
Anyway– ha! So may I ask; what catches you about Skinamarink?
I hope you’re getting enough rest. When I’m under the gun and can’t get enough sleep, I picture the hours like a blanket that I fold and fold– maybe it’s a small blanket but it’s dense and becomes enough in my mind… Ha!
Alright, so, please, please cover your wires to keep the rain off (life would be shitty if one of my favorite artists died in a fire– that’s all I’m going to say about that), and be well–
Best-k.
Of course today’s post brings to mind Christian Marclay’s seminal artwork The Clock. Back in 2011, Yuck ‘n Yum correspondents Alexandra Ross and Alex Tobin undertook a 24-hour sponsored viewing of this storied film and the results can be found here.
Oh Paris seems like a fun place to live, for sure. Haha, I think most people would hate where I live but I do trust you to find it fascinating at least; all my early writing has been about trying to figure out my city’s genius loci or something pretentious like that.
I looked up both of Robert Flynt and Joel Westendorf’s works and wow! Really stunning stuff, I would be envious of the fact that they did covers of your books if they weren’t so deserving, haha.
Cool clocks, by the way! I especially like the Earl Sweatshirt one. My father got me a digital watch the other day that had a cute little compass on the strap, hasn’t been useful or anything but I did like messing with its magnet by a screwdriver. Have a lovely day!
I follow a practice of not watching TV unless I actively enjoy it. You know in advance exactly how much time you’re devoting to it – 10 & 1/2 hours for the final season of SUCCESSION – and it can be sobering to realize you’re wasting that much time on something meh. I’m far more willing to take a chance on a 90-minute film which might be mediocre, although all that time adds up too. I plan to dig into Boots Riley’s new series I’M A VIRGO soon.
The wildfires are back! I could smell the bad air quality in New York today before I read about it in the news, although it’s not nearly as oppressive as the worst period a few weeks ago.
Some fine timepieces today, Dennis. Of course I’m a sucker for a clock that writes out the time.
Have you seen:
https://philosophersguild.com/products/ministry-of-silly-walks-watch-python
Bill
Hi Dennis.
How are you? Iâm doing ok. What an interesting array of clocks you have here. I really like grandfather clocks. Thereâs something so comforting about them to me. Thereâs an anime film called Whisper of the Heart that has a beautiful one. Highly recommend! Thatâs good about your power, Dennis. Im sure the club will love it! I really enjoy it, and my friends do as well. I had a nice walk today listening to Xiu Xiu, Ween and Nina Simone and ate some good Chinese food. Watched Frank Perryâs The Swimmer and loved it. Bizarre film that made me feel very uncomfortable. Going to see Paris is Burning tomorrow in a cinema. Really want to see Asteroid City pretty soon. Iâm a big Wes Anderson fan. Have a good day or night, Dennis!
Clocks! Some of the most interesting objects in Western culture. I think it was Louis Mumford who said something like, clocks were the most important technology of the industrial revolution, not the steam engine. In the 19th Century as Japan began to open up to the west, clocks were one of the few items that they were willing to accept for trade from Europeans.
In other news, my boyfriend JosĂ© and I are working on a Dennis Cooper-themed zine titled, For the Love of Dennis Cooper. JosĂ©’s super-fan obsession with your work has infected me too. Anyway, we are aiming for something that is reverentially irreverent. As such, we are seeking a blurb from you for the back cover. We could make an advanced copy available to you to review, however, we realize that you are a busy guy, so we are taking the liberty of providing you with three possible options generated by ChatGPT:
A) “Dazzling and unapologetically raw, this groundbreaking zine by [Zine Name] captures the essence of a cultural revolution. With electrifying prose and provocative visuals, it ignites a fire within, challenging societal norms and leaving readers breathless. [Zine Name] is a fearless testament to the power of DIY art and the indomitable spirit of creative expression. Prepare to be captivated, enlightened, and forever changed.” – Dennis Cooper, critically acclaimed author of “Closer” and “The Sluts”
B) “While the ambition and experimental spirit of [Zine Name] are evident, the execution falls short of its potential. The scattered narrative and disjointed visuals make it a challenging read, leaving readers struggling to find coherence. Despite its shortcomings, the zine offers glimpses of intriguing ideas and moments of artistic daring, but ultimately fails to deliver a fully satisfying experience. Recommended for those willing to explore unconventional forms of expression, but be prepared for a disorienting journey.” – Dennis Cooper, author of “The Marbled Swarm” and “Period”
C) “An infuriating and pretentious mess, [Zine Name] is a prime example of self-indulgent pseudo-art masquerading as profundity. Its convoluted prose and inscrutable visuals serve only to alienate and frustrate readers, leaving them questioning the very purpose of this so-called ‘artistic’ endeavor. With an utter lack of coherence or substance, [Zine Name] is an exercise in pointless obscurity, appealing only to those desperately seeking to validate their own misplaced sense of edginess. Approach with caution, or better yet, avoid altogether.” – Dennis Cooper, author of “Try” and “The Weaklings”
Personally, we are inclined toward option C. It was generated by the prompt, “write an angry and negative dust jacket quote from author Dennis Cooper reviewing a new zine.” Clearly, AI has limits to ability to generate truly imaginative outrage and indignation. Perhaps you would consider modifying one of these, or writing a blurb yourself?
Yours truly in good fun – Mark