I’m beginning to hate the phrase “chosen family.” Conducting an interview recently for a well-known “queer” publication, I felt myself physically recoil when an interviewee used that term. Why? Because like queer itself, the phrase, to me at least, feels increasingly hollow—emptied of all meaning—especially as queer becomes a brand identity and chosen families, the … Continue reading
“If you really loved me…”–Ziggy slugs–“you wouldn’t rim me while I’m crying.” This is John Waters’ favorite line from Dennis Cooper’s George Miles Cycle, read in a surprise appearance at an event at NYU’s Fales Library and Special Collections in 2000 celebrating the publication of the final book of the Cycle, Period. Specifically deriving from … Continue reading
What has Dennis Cooper wrought? Not only writing some of the most deliciously depraved and literary luminous experimental novels for decades, he’s also inspired a multitude of similarly demented writers who came up after him. Of course, Dennis has his own deep and dark influences from the Marquis De Sade to Rimbaud to Jean Genet … Continue reading
Well, I know I promised days ago, faithful Filthy Dreams readers, that I wasn’t going to do a tired old best of list, but Filthy Dreams is nothing if not inconsistent and unpredictable. While I was going to write another “making up for lost time” review of Jordan Wolfson’s show at David Zwirner, I decided … Continue reading
Most users don’t know that Google can delete your blog and email for the sole, vague reason of “violations of terms of service.” This nightmare scenario happened this June to one of Filthy Dreams’ favorite writers Dennis Cooper, erasing over a decade of content, email correspondence and a draft of his GIF novel Zac’s Freight Elevator. Launched … Continue reading
In 1977, Richard Hell appeared on the cover of his seminal album Blank Generation with the words “You Make Me______.” scrawled on his bony chest. While the term blank generation certainly resonated with the post-Vietnam, bankrupt New York of the 1970s, they had nothing on the blankness of our digitally obsessed 21st century. In fact, it … Continue reading
This week, one of my favorite authors, filth elders and the only writer who can make me feel completely and wonderfully uncomfortable reading his books in public–Dennis Cooper–released his tenth novel Zac’s Haunted House for free online. The only catch? Zac’s Haunted House is composed entirely of gifs. Continue reading
Well, don’t fear, ghouls and goblins, we’ve got a list of spooky videos and films to show this Halloween. Sure some of your Halloween guests and Trick or Treaters may be startled by some of the videos but no matter, just give them a nip our World Famous Pumpkin Punch and they’ll be doing the Transylvania Twist in no time! Continue reading
Rather than introduce ourselves through a coma-inducing list of random accomplishments or goals, Marion and I thought it would be way more enjoyable to blatantly rip-off the blogging idea of Dennis Cooper, one of our favorite and most terrifying authors, and list our prized possessions, giving a glimpse into our values, psyche and bad taste Continue reading