Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Here are many of the specials we'll be bringing. Yes, we'll have David Choe's Snowman Monkey BBQ signed copies. Figures from SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, Godeleine de Rosamel ceramics, James Jean books signed, Sean Chao pieces, Yoskay Yamamoto Flowers...
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In a small crowded area in downtown LA, Takashi Murakami said, “It’s like when I first saw Giant Robot magazine in New York.” It’s been years since I’ve spoken with Murakami who in between our last meetings, has gone from superstar to megastar, from world wide artist and now filmmaker. I’m not sure which is greater, but he’s the bigger one. Takashi Murakami was the subject of a Q and A at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. The brightly lit marquee spelled out his name as if he were a movie or a band. A line of many recognizable art fans formed outside an hour early. Over 1400 tickets were sold to see him speak with Pico Iyer, an author of ten books who has lived in Japan for decades. It’s part of the Broad series of talks which features interviews with artists and is a powerful set up for their own up-and-coming museum in downtown LA across from MOCA. Pre-talk, I got to go to the upstairs vip area. Mark Ryden, Eli Broad, Murakami, Tim Blum and a crew of artists I’ve had the pleasure to work with, hang out. Takashi appeared with his mini convoy. Translator, photographer, and perhaps assistant. It was nice to catch up with Takashi, and it went into a blur. It was a conversation about our lives. It was nice to see him continue his hustle and still be chill. He’s obviously hit that mark where he can be an otaku and a goofy guy wearing a plush pink hat. He can say what he feels, do what he wants, and still be part of art history. He’s wise enough to know that he doesn’t have to care so much. Do people need to love him, do people still think he’s a heel, does it matter? No. I don’t think so. Joanne Heyler Curator of the Broad Hug photos-don’t like them, but this one works, maybe because it’s blurry. These days, he makes giant art pieces including one that’s 100 meters long. His studio is still gigantic, he still has tons of minions, and he’s still hard working. He’s splitting art time with cinema, which is obvious after seeing his short pieces like the Inochi interstitials and his Louis Vuitton animation. The talk spanned his personal history, his work with the art establishment in Japan, Fukushima and his own giving back to art. It barely scraped the surface on topics that can be extrapolated into hour long conversations. He mentions that his helpers basically say “fuck you” when a project is done and they’re disgruntled and leaving his “factory”. He mentions that his job is to say “no” and not be satisfied which is basically buying him time to perhaps say “yes” after everything is done and each possible avenue is explored. It’s that drive that makes him Murakami. Most won’t understand, and that’s for the better. Talks like this often go too fast, and the fella who held up the 5 minutes...
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Stories Exhibition at Giant Robot 2 featuring great artists: Edwin Ushiro, Sean Chao, Martin Hsu, Jen Tong, Jeni Yang and Tessar Lo. Thanks for coming out and thanks for the support. We’ll be posting the art online perhaps as soon as Monday.
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Stories Exhibition at Giant Robot 2 featuring great artists: Edwin Ushiro, Sean Chao, Martin Hsu, Jen Tong, Jeni Yang and Tessar Lo. Thanks for coming out and thanks for the support. We’ll be posting the art online perhaps as soon as Monday.
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Stories – A Group Exhibition August 17 th – September 4th, 2013 Reception: Saturday, August 17 th, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. GR2 2062 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 gr2.net (310) 445-9276 Giant Robot is proud to present Stories, an art show featuring new works by Edwin Ushiro, Jen Tong, Jeni Yang, Martin Hsu, Sean Chao and Tessar Lo. The commonality of the artists is simply that they’re operating in a similar art environment although they’re located in different parts of North America. Edwin Ushiro, originally from Hawaii draws sublime imagery that often appear dark in message, yet are at times as light as can be. East Coaster, Jen Tong creates imagery that’s reminiscent of a world that’s something like Miyazaki meeting Moebius. Jeni Yang, a consistent exhibitor at Giant Robot works with wood and imagery that includes both cats and snacks. Martin Hsu, now in San Francisco is the creator of Dragon Boy creates a fantasy world that’s screaming to be animated. Sean Chao creates tiny worlds in diorama form. Tessar Lo, from Toronto draws freely and has honed his style that mixes both composition and abstractness. An opening reception for Stories will take place from 6:30 – 10:00 on Saturday, August 17th. For more information about any of the artists, GR2, or anything else: Eric Nakamura Giant Robot Owner/Publisher eric@giantrobot.com (310) 445 9276
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