Consumer Reports: Raque Ford

Raque Ford is an artist living and working in Brooklyn. She has staged solo exhibitions at Soloway, Brooklyn, and Welcome Screen, London, and has been included in group shows at Sculpture Center, Queens; Kimberly Klark, Queens, and Galerie Division, Montreal, among other venues.

For Ford’s Consumer Report, NY1—Time Warner Cable’s beloved 24-hour New York-centric news station—is consumed in a couple of different locations. There is also ‘zine-making, studio visits, and attendance at a “grown and sexy” birthday party. The week concludes at an opening for the great clothing brand Waggy Tee. Take a look below. —John Chiaverina

Monday

6:28 a.m.

Awake early. I think my cat is trying to catch a mouse. Laying in bed. Check my daily horoscope. It says something about career and that I should carry business cards with me today. I’m a Sagittarius. Try and go back to sleep.

8:54 am

I wake up before my alarm. Tom made me an egg sandwich. Kitty (my cat) didn’t catch a mouse. Check my email. I signed up with USPS for a service that shows you what you get in the mail before it is in your mailbox. I think it makes me an old person but I’ve always loved mail. I never get anything important though, mostly letters like, you owe student loans.

9:20 a.m.

Slowly get ready to leave the house. I have a doctor’s appointment in the city.

9:51 a.m.

By slowly getting ready I end up watching the first episode of Amazon series I Love Dick, based on Chris Kraus’s book of the same name. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s weird but I don’t hate it. I will watch more episodes in the future. I google what Chris Kraus really looks like. And then watch a little of a lecture she did at Texas A&M. I’ve read her books but I’ve never seen her speak. Have to stop watching now, I have to take a shower.

11:07 a.m.

I’m late. I need to get out of the house to my doctor’s appointment, but first I see what’s up with the “lusty diaries” text group I’m a part of. Rachel made a protein packed smoothie, I’m proud of her. The group started out as a Tinder recap between friends of mine, I would tell Rachel I wish I could be a part of it and then was kindly allowed in, even though I’ve been in a relationship for 7 years.

11:20 a.m.

Getting on G train. Listen to Lana Del Rey Honeymoon album. I hated her at first. I don’t know why. I liked her look, I just really hated her voice and songs. But then one day it just clicked and now I love it. I don’t have a lot of music on my phone and I have pretty bad taste. I mostly like pop music and some random stuff: I recently downloaded Zayne’s album. I like that “Pillow Talk” song, my friend Felisha got me hooked on it. Fuck I missed my stop.

12:20 p.m.

I made it on time somehow. They are playing NY1. I love NY1.

12:45 p.m.

Bored still waiting for the doctor. Looking at behind-the-scenes photos from Lemonade that Beyoncé posted.

1:30 p.m.

Done with doctors. Heading back home to get ready for work. I work at this restaurant Rye in Williamsburg. I’m only there one day a week this summer because I’m doing a residency at ISCP. Speaking of ISCP, getting tons of emails from them right now because I need to coordinate installation for my solo project happening next month and finish the ‘zine to get printed this week for the show.

2:14 p.m.

Home now. Open mailbox get to see mail in irl. Have some time to kill before work, gonna work on the ‘zine for show at ISCP.

4:00 p.m.

Start work. It’s gonna be a slow one today. It nice out, it’s August, no one is in NYC. No one is coming in the restaurant. At least I can be distracted by my group text messages. One is talking about some weird ladybug nails, the other these velvet leggings that are made for camel toes.

9:29 p.m.

Got off early. I fucking ran out of there and then rode over to my friend Nick’s house. Hanging with Tom and Am. Talking to Am about her feature film where she is remaking Dirty Dancing and the only person in the film is Baby (played by her) and no music. I’m excited to see the end. She’s in the film part of editing. Nick is talking about his “divorce” and joint custody of his cat and also his dating experiences. Talking about how to “ghost,” and if he should. Friendly ghosting, like Casper suggested.

10:48 p.m.

Talking about Michael’s 40th birthday party happening this week. Dress code is “grown and sexy.” We are deciphering what that means for our individual styles.

12:39 a.m.

At a bar now with Tom and Am. Talking about The Witch with some friends in a group text. I recently became obsessed with that movie for some reason. I’ve been working on pieces about selling your soul. Talking about signing our name in the Devil’s book in the text group. Maybe it’s some sort of a sad adolescent angst desire leftover from going to Catholic school my whole life and not being Catholic, but who knows, Gwen then texts me the Devil’s number.

2:20 a.m.

Am makes fun of Tom and I for not knowing who Young M.A is and her song “OOOUUU.” I keep thinking she’s say Young A.M. We go back to our house to listen. *Feels like fall outside* Now looking back I feel like an idiot, that song is everywhere playing from every car, how did I not notice.

Tuesday

9:00 a.m.

Alarm goes off, change to 9:30.

9:20 a.m.

I’m awake barely. I have another doctor’s appointment. This time Upper West Side. Should leave early because I will probably get lost since I’ve never been to this doctor’s office. I read a horoscope that tells me I should drink more water, which is oddly specific and very true since I’m hungover. I watch a live performance of Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby One More Time” when she was at the Kid’s Choice Awards. I forgot that people used to think she got a boob job around that time, and how sexy she has been all the time throughout her whole career.

11:00 a.m.

Arrive early to my appointment. Get a bacon egg and cheese at this little cart with the sweetest Greek couple. NY1 is on at the office.

12:15 p.m.

Done, heading home. I have someone coming to the house to fix the armrest for this Herman Miller chair I bought on Craigslist. Will probably work more on the ‘zine. I need to finish and send to Linco.

1:13 p.m.

Home. Send this photo to my friend:

Look at Instagram and Facebook and then get to work. I’m re-writing texts I’ve written in my notebooks to scan for my book. They are kind of like drawings to me when I re-write them. They are letters from the character Georgia Brown to the Devil about why she sold her soul. I put on In Treatment, it’s an old HBO show I just started watching that I like to view passively while I work since it’s mostly talking, because it’s set in a therapist office.

2:33 p.m.

A guy knocks on my door and says in a very confused tone, “I’m here to fix a chair?” I don’t think the company makes lots of house call, especially ones that are like Tom and I’s place. I show him to my office which is just my desktop in the living room. He puts a new arm rest on and is done in 5 mins. My new thing to do is buy things on Craigslist that have warranties and get them fixed for free. It’s like you bought it new for half the price.

4:02 p.m.

Still working on the ‘zine book. Still watching In Treatment passively. This guy has some tough sessions. Are people this hardcore and mean to their therapist? One of his patients is in love with him and pissed that he won’t sleep with her because of professional reasons. The therapist also goes to therapy himself and is very tough on his therapist.

5:07 p.m.

I had to stop In Treatment. How do therapists listen to so many different people? I take a break from work and get distracted looking at clothes. This painting is staring at me while I work.

Tom and Erika took it out of our neighbor’s trash. Nothing major is happening in text world. Felisha picked a date to come to NY October 12, Rachel and I are plotting a way to force her to stay and not go back to Portland. Gwen got some new clothes. Maybe I eat some food soon. Look at jobs, I need a new job.

5:38 p.m.

Check phone and then remember to text Caitlin about studio visit tomorrow. Ulrika sent a pic of her scuffed knee to lusty diaries. Watch a video of Eric Andre talking about public art. It’s not his best but I still have a crush him. WTF?

5:57 p.m.

Tom’s home. He got new boots.

7:01 p.m.

Finished dinner. Digesting food by looking at Airbnb’s in Miami and Instagram. Erika sent some pics from a dressing room. I tell her to get this dress because it’s got ruffles. Thinking about staying in and going to the studio early tomorrow. Stayed out late last night.

9:36 p.m.

I’m staying home and working on the book. It’s basically done, I’m just not ready to let it go to print. While finishing it I watch a bad rip of Suicide Squad. I want to see how bad it is. It’s pretty bad.

See this on Facebook. Unfortunate timing.

10:39 p.m.

Trying on different grown and sexy looks while Erika sends me pics of hers and Tom is trying things on too. I have a suit I bought in Portland on with just a bra. Erika says it’s good but I think I look like a poor man’s Rihanna.

12:08 a.m.

Look at Facebook and Instagram watch some weird makeup tutorials. Go to bed.

Wednesday

8:34 a.m.

Get out of bed finalize book and email to Linco.

9:38 a.m.

Eating breakfast. Someone on Facebook is talking about the film Born in Flames. Never seen it, watch trailer, look up Lizzie Borden’s Wikipedia. She changed her name to match the killer at 11. Read horoscope, it says ambitious plan could be set in motion but to make sure to take troops’ needs in account???

10:34 a.m.

Arrive at studio. It’s a crazy mess. Meeting at 11:30 to talk about install for project space. Send over my ‘zine for final approval. Get an email from Essye about the black women for Black Lives Matter at New Museum. Try to sign up but sold out. I should’ve signed up when I first saw it.

12:38 p.m.

Text Tin for a bit and of course ask him what he’s wearing tonight for Michael’s bday. He’s gonna wear his new clothing line he’s making with his friend Daniel. It’s called CFG: Clothes For Gays. It’s really good I can’t wait till they finish their first line. Sends me pics of two new shirts.

2:24 p.m.

Need a break.

Walking to get some lunch. Open Pokemon Go app, give up on it. It never wants to open. I haven’t played in awhile. Maybe I need to update it. I’m on level 15. I only like it because i think they are cute.

4:47 p.m.

I’m at Caitlin’s studio with Rachel. It’s in the same building as ISCP. We’ve been trying to do studio visits since I started this residency.

6:16 p.m.

Finished visit, it was awesome. We talked about Venus, Diana, powerful women, breaking up with your best friend, scraps, Rachel’s period, it was good. Heading home.

7:24 p.m.

On train to party. I chose this to wear.

I don’t know if it grown and sexy but I’ll take it. Meeting Nick and Tom for drinks before Michael’s party. We go to the Soho Grand because Nick has a membership and I’ve always wanted to go because of Sex And The City. It’s lame I know but come on.

10:24 p.m.

At the bday party talking about what New York sports teams Am wants to see play. GO Mets. Fuck the Yankees. Hockey at Barclays and the Knicks at Madison Square. Party is very grown and sexy but chill.

11:04 p.m.

Birthday cake!

Now Rihanna “You Needed Me” playing. Happy birthdays Michael!!

 

Thursday

12:13 p.m.

I’m hungover.

5:43 p.m.

I forgot to read my horoscope for the day. Eerily very accurate.

8:31 p.m.

At 321 Gallery it’s Tara’s 30th. So many Birthdays. Drinking chilled red wine, a Tara classic.

10:54 p.m.

At Captain Dan’s again with Am, Tom, and Rachel talking about the Meg Ryan with Nicholas Cage movie City of Angels and smart gallery dresses.

12:15 a.m.

Home.

Friday

8:21 a.m.

Someone has been using a chainsaw since 7 a.m. It’s driving me crazy and I can’t sleep.

9:47 a.m.

Up early working on a few emails. Got a text from Sophy about the sea turtle we saw last time at the beach. She’s there now. Check Tumblr, my favorite Tumblr just followed me. I don’t ever post anything anymore. I just look at others. I like this Tumblr that posts some great ’80s erotica.

12:30 p.m.

Look up video of the best way to shuck corn. Proceed to shuck corn from the CSA.

1:33 p.m.

Leaving house.

2:21 p.m.

Me and Tom are in Chinatown, gonna get something to eat before going to the Waggy Tee sale at Bridget Donahue. Haven’t seen Nora in a long time.

4:34 p.m.

Walking around the city with Tom looking at things we can’t afford. Gonna go to the Waggy Tee after party. I got a good Waggy Tee.

5:55 p.m.

Saw a guy whose shirt said: I would like to buy drugs.

7:53

Just finished dinner. Read this Carrie Mae Weems interview. It’s really good. I really like this part: “I realized at a certain moment that I could not count on white men to construct images of myself that I would find appealing or useful or meaningful or complex. I can’t count on anybody else but me to deliver on my own promise to myself. I love Fellini. I love Woody Allen. I love the Coen brothers, but they’re not interested in my black ass.”

And this: “I look at it as unrequited love. You know? I love them, but they ain’t thinking about me. It’s not really a complaint. It’s just the reality.”

9:36 p.m.

Head to Honeys for Nora’s Waggy Tee after party. Drink tasty mead.

1:25 a.m.

Home now. It was a good night surrounded by great friends: Erika, Rachel, Tom, Ben Nora, and lots of mead. Goodnight.