First Friday: Giant Robot Documentary and Panel at the Natural History Museum of LA County

Link to the Event here:

2023 Theme: Fandoms & Fantasy

The Natural World vs. Fantasy Worlds: This season we focus on how nature and science influence the creation of our favorite imagined worlds. From dragons and witchcraft to superheroes and giant monsters, First Fridays 2023 is where the fans come out to celebrate the intersection of pop-culture fandom and the work and collections of NHM. 

 

May 5: Giant Monsters/Giant Robot

LIVE MUSIC BY: 

  • ARUSHI JAIN

  • MARAL

DJ SET BY:

  • ET IV

DISCUSSION AND SCREENING:

  • Moderated by filmmaker Renee Tajima-Peña and featuring founders of Giant Robot Magazine Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, artist James Jean, and director Dylan Robertson.

  • Join us immediately following the Discussion with a special screening of KCET’s Emmy® award-winning arts and culture series ARTBOUND featuring the episode Giant Robot: Asian Pop Culture and Beyond.

  • JUST ADDED: Giant Robot Store Pop-Up in L1 Foyer

KAIJU WALKABOUT :

  • Featuring artist and Godzilla cosplayer Krystopher Baioa 

COSPLAY WELCOME!  COSPLAY CONTEST AT NATURE GARDENS MAIN STAGE AT 7:45 PM

Cosplay as your favorite fantasy and fandom character and get a chance to win a prize for favorite costume! Extra points for representing this month's theme.  Enter the Cosplay Contest at Nature Gardens Main Stage at 7:45 pm!

 

DISCUSSION: Giant Monsters/Giant Robot: The Rise of Asian Pop-Culture and the Legacy of Giant Robot Magazine

LEVEL 2, NORTH AMERICAN MAMMAL HALL  |  6:30 PM–7:30 PM

This month explores the rise of Asian pop culture and the legacy and work of Giant Robot Magazine. Featuring a panel that includes founders of Giant Robot Magazine, Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, artist James Jean, filmmaker Dylan Robertson, and acclaimed filmmaker Renee Tajima-Peña, who will also moderate the discussion.   We'll be discussing how Asian pop culture has influenced and propelled popular culture throughout the years from Godzilla and anime to Hello Kitty and K-pop.  How did the groundbreaking work of Giant Robot Magazine help shape the appetite for global fandom staples such as kaiju, mecha, anime, manga, and more? We'll also look at the enduring popularity of the Godzilla universe!

The documentary follows at the North Mammal Hall