Butthead of the Month Chris, a graphic design student from Minneapolis, recently hopped the pond to London to do a semester abroad at Central Saint Martins. In the midst of an Indian Summer, he and I chatted in the Utopian courtyard of the Barbican about his life in London so far and how, in an ideal world, Aaliyah’s discography would score every sexual encounter.
Matthew: You've been in London for a week now, has it overwhelmed you yet?
Chris: Only slightly… I’m slowly doing all of BUTT’s Fag Map suggestions starting with Old Compton Street. Great people watching and a few smiles, no ass grabs though. I also went to The Joiners Arms last Thursday. It was a lot of fun. I was especially happy about the amount of Destiny’s Child they played. I love a bit of early 2000s R&B. Beyond that, I've mainly just been getting up late, wandering, and running errands. Usually, I get lost.
Have you purchased a London A to Z?
I have, actually. It’s my saving grace in the absence of an iPhone.
What else are you looking forward to?
I’d like to go to the Tate Modern. There are a few Cindy Sherman pieces I’d like to see.
Are you a big Sherman fan?
My mom introduced me to her. There’s something about her photos that just does it for me. I almost got the chance to see a few of her pieces at the MoMA, but the exhibit was closed for repairs.
What’s Minneapolis like? My only points of reference are the airport and that mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous.
I love Drop Dead Gorgeous. It’s requisite viewing for anyone who lives in Minnesota. Minneapolis is far more cultured than how it is portrayed in the film. I mean, if you leave the city and go into the countryside it gets a bit scary, but overall it’s pretty tolerant. The only catch is that the gay scene is pretty small in comparison to a city like London or New York. You end up knowing everyone.
I think you’ll find that everywhere, even in London.
Perhaps, but I’m looking forward to being anonymous for a while.
Were you breaking hearts before you left?
Ha, hardly. I spent the entire summer working at a design firm — no time for boys whatsoever.
No leisure time, then?
I spent a lot of time at my Mom’s cabin in northern Wisconsin swimming and boating, and watching marathons of Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network, which is probably my favorite show. Have you heard of it? It’s hosted by Ina Garten. She lives this fabulous life in the Hamptons with her husband Jeffrey. They’re perfect together. She cooks the most amazing food for all her gay friends in her perfect kitchen wearing beautifully ironed navy men’s shirts. I want her to be my favorite aunt. You know, the one that would bring you lemon bars, which I love, for no reason.
Me too. Her pantry is to die for. It’s the size of my old bedroom in London. If you could make one of her recipes what would it be?
Roast chicken, obviously. It’s Jeffrey’s favorite.
Last question: Can you tell me what you see in this inkblot?
I see a kind of Native American ceremonial outfit.
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