Either You're In or You're in the Way.

I don't read books often, but since I did, and it's not a great fit for GR, why not put it here. Two brothers Logan and Noah Miller went from nothing to making a film. The book is about their past, their experience with their alcoholic and homeless father, and then the journey to make a film about it all. These dudes seem like good guys, and the book is written from both of their perspectives, so it's funny how it'll bounce from quote to quote as if they are one. The book obviously is a struggle, but perhaps things just worked out too well. As I read it, I knew any problem that would come up would get solved in not too much time - sort of like a bad Twilight Zone movie where the dude gets everything he wants all the time and got sick of it. Yet overall, this isn't a novel, it's a story about making a film, and their experiences including how they got Ed Harris to be in it. I particularly liked the parts about their filming at a minor league training camp. One of the brothers (they also star in the film) played minor league ball, and gains respect of the real players, who figured he was just an actor d. bag.

Would I recommend this as a reading book? Perhaps for a quick read. I got through this on a flight to NY, but is it literature? No. But it's a fun tale of two dudes getting into trouble and getting out of it. The question is now... is the film good?

The Dwelling - Scion Easy 10 film - SFIAAFF

The Dwelling - In the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival - one of the best in the business.

I never thought I'd be doing the film thing again, but oh well. I produced, shot second camera, and stills. Sheldon Candis directed.

3/15/09 at 9:00pm at the Kabuki in San Francisco
3/19/09 at 7:15pm at the Kabuki in San Francisco
3/21/09 at 5:00pm at the Camera in San Jose

We'll be up there for that first screening.

Laika Presents Coraline the movie - Nike Dunk

The box wasn't marked so well on the outside, but the inside was a shoe box that looked like a big top. It's actually via Laika which is a Phil Knight production company which is producing their first feature film using the Nightmare Before Christmas Director, Henry Selick! The shoes are nuts. They're Nike Dunks, stitched together like a rag doll, via Nightmare maybe? The animals on the shoes are strange, yes they come off, as do the tails. I can't see them lasting long when you wear them, but this production is something different in a genre where it's all been done. The Coraline Dunk come in edition of 100.

Check out the trailer here.

The film written by the great Neil Gaiman is called Coraline. See it February 6th, stay till the end of the credits and then go to www.coraline.com you can win a pair of these.

Pretty cool stitching, interesting fabrics (canvas), and a natural colorway with a great style. For a sneaker that revolving around an animation project, it's wearable.

I was wondering what this was. Cotton candy? A strange sex toy? Actually, these might be the props from the actual film. 50 of the boxes had some items in them. I don't know if these are them, but they're strange. Packaging counts a lot.

See the buttons on near the tongue? Those were designed by the director Henry Selick. It's cool they got the director involved in this promotion.

Tails on the shoes, a nice touch, and the soles glow!

I went so far as to use a flashlight on the soles and it's pretty cool how you can almost draw with a flashlight. It wears down really quick, so writing word is near impossible.

More Scion Easy 10

I guess I didn't really explain what else happened during the film screening. I missed almost everything. I did get to see and meet Max Perlich (I caught him in mid blink). He's a guy that seemed to be associated with the Beastie Boys back in the day, was in Drug Store Cowboy and a Young MC video, but then again, who wasn't? He directed a film in the Scion Easy 10, called LES. Lower East Side, or LES. 20 minutes and I think it was one of the only narratives. Like I mentioned, I missed almost everything, but I did catch that one and The Dwelling, which was ours. It was a rowdy crowd which is the best way to put it, people going in and out, yelling shout outs during the pic, tons of humor going around, and funny words by people just passing by. Sheldon was yelling Giant Robot before and after the film, and actually some people applauded the first time he yelled it. Do people really like us in NYC? The event, also had an open BAR! So people were pretty happy drinking and watching movies. When you think about it, that has to be a great combo for people. The theater had a festival, in and out after each screening vibe going, which actually works, but increases the rowdy factor... Eri Bonilla from the welcome committee helped a lot. We'll see her in LA.

Again, I'll write another reminder, but if you intend to come to LA's screening GET THERE EARLY. If you are late, hang out, because a lot of people right when their film is done. There's two separate screenings of everything, we showed near the beginning in one theater and later in the other. If you do get on a list, that's cool, but that doesn't guarantee anything.

It's coming back - Ain't No Half Steppin'

I dunno how this works, but yeah, I took a photo with these kids. They were amazing. It was at the Scion film event Easy 10. These dudes were in the Big Daddy Kane documentary. I wish I saw that one, but I couldn't get in! The event in NYC was strange. We were shuttled to the theater in a big ass bus, they used the ploy of telling us that if we're late, that we'd have to pay for our own cab. It worked, I got down there at the hotel lobby at 6pm, and was the only one there. And the Scion folks waited until everyone got there to leave, which was past 6:30. Then we get there, and no food! We were hungry and all we got was popcorn. Beware. Important note: if you intend to go to the LA Screen get there EARLY. The theater was small (too small - and I hear LA is even smaller) and plenty of people were turned away - even if you were on a list! You'll have to wait if you want in, since people leave the second their own film ends.



This is the best song from the Kane. He was there tonite, and as a fan from 88, I wanted to meet him, but no. I didn't even see him there. I did get to meet the posse of kids.


Sheldon gets a Best Director Award. The film turned out great and looked great on the screen.

James Jean Exhibition

This is the greatest painting. I think James nailed it on this one. The colors, the imagery and style is tight (and tight meaning skillfully executed - not "tiiiiight"). If I could get any art piece, it might be this one. Too bad it's gone, hopefully to someone with a great spot for it. The cool thing is, James is young, there's plenty more. The show at Jonathan Levine Gallery was quite cool.

Nick Cave - the artist

Nick Cave in NYC. Yeah it's not the musician, but it's the artist, and his art is amazing. These costumes are his soundsuits! I want one of these. Check out the details, and the sheer craziness of it all. It looks like something Lightning Bolt would do, but generations past it. Check out a few photos of the installation at the Jack Shainman gallery site.

These were the fuzzy furry ones.

I can't say this is something I'd ever conceive of doing or wearing, but I thought this works was amazing. Would I want this is my living room?

GR X UP

Today, I get to the store, but I pop into Upper Playground. They did a great job at with the space. I thought there was a lot more done, but in the end, they kept it simple and left a lot of things we built in there. What gives with the Choe art on the walls? In two spots, really nice, and attractive. Uh, bro? Where's ours?

This is a close up of the previous.

Dan-Ah Kim at GR. You should see her show. Great job, I especially liked the window.

Jordin Isip on the streets. Pretty cool.

ok what is it? A beer bong?

President of Color

Imagine, a new President comes into power. Cool. One question which isn't important in the scheme of things.

Films will come out depicting a hostage situation, perhaps it's like a Harrison Ford movie, Escape from (insert city name here) or maybe it's aliens attacking the planet, or it's an episode of West Wing. When the President appears as white as mashed potatoes, what's that say about the movie? Is it totally out of date? Is it a chuckle, as in "what the... didn't they get the memo?" Are films going to depict a President of Color more often? Will production go so far as a dark skinned President? A Native? An Asian? A woman? How will Hollywood compensate? I brought this up to some Hollywood folks. They didn't seem too interested.

NY day. Joe Shanghai and art.

I like this painting in progress. It's mine. Here's a few images from the Choe house in NYC. Works in progress are pretty cool. They're almost done. I hope those aren't images he's using at bottom. If they are, the final product looks nothing like it. It makes no sense. Maybe he reads while he paints.

Hendrix

Hope - yes, that's the original.

Joe Shanghai

There it is. Crab and Pork Xiao long Bao

This was in front of another shop. Live Bait.

NYC

See you (if I see you) in NYC, my just over 24 hour trip is by duress.

GR x Scion art show VIDEO. Insider, Outsiders, and the Middle

This isn't new anymore, but thought I'd share it, yeah I look stupid in it, but what else is new. It's eight minutes, which is long but I'm sure you'll enjoy it even just a bit. It's a bit old now, but I think it just got put on youtube perhaps after some kind of statute of limits by Scion.

Enjoy. maybe.

The Dwelling by Giant Robot - Scion Easy 10 LA and NYC

Want to get in to see The Dwelling, which is the film I produced? It's playing in NYC, next week. It's free actually, if you RSVP here. It was featured in Giant Robot 56. It's the story about the homeless folks living on the Tokyo River Banks.

Check out the trailer here. link.

It's this thursday Jan 22nd in NYC. Tribeca Cinemas
54 Varick Street NY, NY

And sign up here to get in. link.

The LA Event will be February 3, 2009. Sign up for that one here: link


Here's the flyer. Click here to see it big!

Rob Sato exhibition on webcam tonite

We'll be webcasting the opening tonight at GR2. For now, check out

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/eric

That's where it'll be. You'll see me running around just a little taking some pics, video, and stuff like that. Hope you can make it.

Here's the link.

Rob Sato at GR2

Here's a few install photos. I met Rob Sato ages ago. A decade maybe at his apartment in Oakland. While a lot of you think that art relationships are all new b.s., look how far this one goes? He lives in a place above a small restaurant, and honestly, it's still one of the messiest and dirties places I've ever been (next to Alfredo Alcala's apt). Girls lived there too. Tonite, he's showing at GR2. A lot of work is on the walls. It's an amazing survey of his work.

3 for a Friday - Calling all music

1) Reviewing music for GR... imagine, all of the great labels out there, and we don't get their music. Are promos that tough these days?
2) Art in Progress: Takashi Murakami (update) - I was in this a couple times. Despite me being in it, and adding just a minute amount, it's a fun one to watch. It revolves around his MOCA show that was here in LA.
3) Rob Sato installing at GR2 for his opening tomorrow! I'll put up a few pics. Not enough is known about Rob Sato, but people will find out.

The ditched Airplane. Some more detailed news.

After reading about the Hudson River ditched airplane, everything seemed totally orderly and calm, but finally an article that tells just a bit more. One guy thought about swimming to shore in the icy waters. People were in the water and had to be helped out, one guy was in his undies since the plane was filling with water, there was a rush to get out the back which made the back sink quicker. I didn't think it could be as calm. NY Daily News.

Thakoon at Target

Target is always interesting. A designer with a one word name, Thakoon did some work for Target. I know little about him, except I have an issue of a magazine that's all about him. I reviewed it in GR a while ago, and I never thought I'd hear of him again. But now at Target!

The new sign gr/eats

It's funny how these go. Imagine we have Emilio Santoyo helping out doing odds and ends, and he does cool art, so in the end, we know that he can write and make a sign, so we have him doing that. Who knew that was one of his tasts, but that's how days go here. The weird thing is the sign which was supposed to be dry erase, isn't. It's uneraseable. I guess that means we're having some solid specials. Dumb sign...

COBRA in Argentina

This is David Leda, he's part of COBRA, a space in Argentina. It's a shop gallery type of place, and they've been reading GR for a while. He wanted to meet up just to do a shop owner to shop owner type talk and to interview me for an upcoming publication project. I hope it all works out. He's a good guy. Check out their shop. It's a nice spot. This could be your next hangout. link.

Ping Pong Playa DVD signing.

The DVD signing at GR2 went well. It's cool to support a funny film and have all of the main players come out to sign and meet some fans. Quite a few came through. See more pics at the GR Facebook or Flickr or Transmissions. That's Jessica Yu the director. She has an Oscar award for a previous film. That's huge. I was going to ask her to bring it, so she could let people check out her bling, but I forgot... Then it's Smith Cho. She's on Knight Rider. She came a bit late, but that's how the stars do it. Jimmy Tsai the star of the movie. I think it's his first acting role. He's usually behind the camera. Roger Fan, who you might have seen in Annapolis, and Jim Lau, who plays the dad!

We brought a table onto the street to let passers by and guests play ping pong. Thanks to Clement for bringing this out for us. It made it fun. People just picked up the paddles and started playing. We have to do this more.

That's a grandmother playing. She came out and showed her little grand kids how to do it. If she's the mom, then I'll say, damn, I got it all wrong.

Takashi Murakami Doc - Art in Progress

This just came across my desk. I was interviewed for this a while ago and forgot about it, but here it is. I have no idea how long it is, and I'll leave it up to the surprise when I put this in. I'll tell you about it after I check it out.

Pinks Hot Dogs

You've all been. Of course it's overrated. It's a hot dog. How great can a hot dog be? Hot Doug's in Chicago is great, but Pinks is just a hot dog. You can even tell. Do you think that weiner is special? Is it hand crafted? No, it's from a pack of frozen weiners. The buns aren't home baked, it's from a plastic bag of buns. So why is it so crowded? Above is the "Rosie" by the way.

At my seat was a great sign. The main sushi man, Nobu. I looked up and there was this photo, signed of course.


It's the waiting in line, the atmosphere to anticipation. The hot dog is whatever, so-so, but the wait, and vibe of excitement is quite great. But why are there so many Asians there. I think the line was nearly 50% Asian. Are Asians followers of hype? I've been to Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, and when I've been, there's about 40-50% Asians eating there and tons waiting outside. I guess I've added to that, but the thing is, I don't go back.

The Golden

The coffee was coffee, the food, pretty good, but that's frickin Jonathan Gold. It's fun to talk about food, Asia, and beyond. Pepy's is in the Mar Vista Lanes Bowling Center, and he heard the chilaquiles and machaca was good. Look for JG will write for GR one day soon.

It looks like something exploded on the plate. Brain matter on the bottom, rice is looks like it fell onto the plate from 3 feet up, and the multicolored egg from the foods mixed in. It was all pretty good.

Gargamel

Happy New Year! Thanks much to the folks at Gargamel. I have no idea how I made their cut for this, but it's appreciated. Year of the Ox, in old school robed attire. I get it completely. They're doing a show at Grasshut in Portland on Jan 9th. Check it out if you're up there. They make really nicely crafted vinyl dolls in special editions, customs, and more. Here's a link.

New Years Day at moms...

Did you know Japanese people do it up on New Years Day? Not Christmas, but New Years Day... So that's when there more food than anything. I had to put up a few pics, to give props to the hard work. It's a lot of work, and exhaustion soon follows. Now there's helps from a lot of people. The plates get divided up, but imagine, there was a time when mom had to do it all. That's nuts and other households do it this way too. See mom adjusting her hair?

That's Red Velvet. It's good stuff and homemade. Everyone like Red Velvet.

New Years at Tempura House

One of the best kept secrets on Sawtelle is Tempura House. I've written about them before, but this time, I have more pics. It's up a bit from the shops, but it's a good reason to hit that little strip of market, video store, and Tempura House. The Bento is now 5.50 and you actually get rice too. They make this everyday, and it's different just a bit from time to time. The folks there are nice, older, and run it. The lady is funny, she just sits there, and you walk in, and she might not even get up if she doesn't have to, and she shouldn't.

They had special new years prep food. For the Japanese ex-pats, this is the place to pick stuff up and have a party.

You can get curry and tons of other foods, they have daily specials posted on the wall. I'm less into that, but people love it.

That's her, she'd be pissed that I took her pic, but I swear, she's the charm of the place.

That's what it looks like. Tempura House is on the far left.

Ikea trips

I swear I thought this was a Jon Burgerman drawing. It's not quite, but definitely similar. I'm not sure if you buy this, if the art is meant to be kept, or do you throw it out and put your own art in. But Ikea is always interesting, and since they're the ubiquitous home furnishing place, it's fun to look around since there are some weird things there.

This is a kids rug or something like that. It's influenced by illustration art, from a lot of folks we know. J Otto, Emberley, Salazar, and so on. I'll bet they got someone to turn this out quick in that style.

Looks like dead people. This is an odd bed spread. Dead people holding hands? I guess they're not dead... the pillow has their heart rate monitor. I thought this was odd.

These lights are weird. Would you call someone a hoser, if they had this at their place?

This is digital katakana font. I'm not sure how many people know that it's actually Japanese, but it's disguised as a digital barcode -ish looking design.

Simple in design and cute, this box of crackers is perfect. The colors of the box are great.

James Jean Kindling art in NYC this saturday

You know the man from Giant Robot. If not, you know him through comics. James Jean is in NYC installing his exhibition Kindling. It's at Jonathan Levine January 10th this saturday. So shop at GR store, then go to the art exhibition and say hello. He's a shy guy, so you'll have to step up.

Graniph t contest

It's that time of the year again. Click on the ad from Graniph to make it larger. For all of you who design shirts, or dream of it, this might be a good way to start. Imagine, doing a shirt for a company in Japan. Give it your best shot.

Nice blog post

Here's some composite art!I don't have it larger, but this is big enough. It's the NY Times photo super imposed on some mags. Mike Simpson at iam.strongandfree.ca writes some nice things about GR. It's great to get some nice words, and he's still writing about GR56!

Here's a link to Mike Simpson's blog.