3 Meals on Wheels.

The place called Torafuku is known for it's rice. It's cooked in an old fashioned manner in stone pots. They mix it for you, so it's not just like this. It ends up being a fried rice type of dish that's a must have when you come here. Eating rice still works.

Thats' a meat dish, sort of like a bulgoki, or something like that. It tasted great and was fatty.

That's Yaz Noya. Say what up to Yaz. I've known Yaz for ages when she was doing Sony related work at Tofu records.

Kampachi carpaccio.

Tuna salad

Chicken

A crazy smelt and shiso leaf "spring roll"

That's Chi-lan Lieu. Say what's up to Chi-lan at Yabu in West LA. I've known Chi-lan since her G4 days. She interviewed my on her show.

David Horvath at Nook which is in West LA. It's been fairly social of late, but it just so happens that people were in my area in a concentrated amount of days. I've known David since Uglydolls day 1.

Taking air pics.

Imagined Futures - this weekend

What am I getting myself into these days. A keynote speech at a conference. It all sounded great at the outset, but I'm still unsure of it's focus as compared to other conferences. It's creative at least, and that's pretty cool.

Kid Koala and Kid Deer

Kid Koala does a victory lap during one of his songs. That's him with his hands almost covering him. I've never seen a DJ have so much fun while he's supposed to be playing a show. He's on stage completely into what he's doing, and always with a smile, that makes other people happier. His set was swift and deft. It being on a monday night and pretty late, he didn't have the huge crowd, but at the same time, it was a loyal one. He mixed up his music from hip hop classics, to classic rock, to the new classics, whatever that might be.



This is a section where Kid Koala played the most commercial sounds of the night, so I taped it.

His screen was tiny, but you can see his fingers, if you so care. Bigger screen please!

On the way home, coming down the hills of Brentwood, I finally saw a deer. It was 4am and that's when they come out. The deer didn't run at all, but just stood it's ground and kept picking at the ground.

Tennis video

Yes, I swing the rackets. I used to play back in the day. Elementary school, junior high, high school, and very little afterwards. I might get into detail one day, but the key right now is the footwork. I use a cross over step which is Jimmy Connors style. My last coach reworked my entire mechanics to bring me to this style. I previously had an open stance which is ala Nadal, but he switched me to this classic style. My forehand is the strongest of my shots. That was the main weapon I had. Some of the forehands you see are as hard as anyone's forehands can be. They're just inches off the net and landing near the backline, super low. I need some work on the backhand side for sure, but it comes from rust. I haven't played much in the last 20 years, so it's slowly coming back. Yes, I'll admit I wanted to play collegiately and even professionally, but I wasn't even close. In the background, you can hear my cousin Jon. Unlike skatevideos, where you hear people say "whooaahhh," his words are encouraging in another way. That's why he teaches.

CAPE - the talk

Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment. They graciously invited me to be the subject of a talk. The weird thing is that Daniel Wu moderated, instead of being on the hot seat. This event would have probably worked better the other way around. I'm sure many thought that's how it was going to be. The only thing... I wish Martin could have been there. His household had girls night out, so his wife, Wendy came along with his sister, Angelyn. As Martin said, "that's the next best thing." Cool.

That's Laverne McKinnon, she's the President of CAPE and did a great job putting this event together.

I dressed a bit better than normal. Daniel said he was going to wear some nice threads, but came in street attire. Daniel was great as a moderator. I've known Daniel for 10 years perhaps, and usually we'd ask him questions, but not today. He actually refused interviews with Chinese press since he didn't want to take away from the event.

This is when we first sat down. A bit nervous... a bit excited... Daniel had trouble getting his mic off the stand.

Half the crowd. It was nice that over 130 came through. Double their normal attendance. I see some smiles, which is really nice.

Yet another pic. I think people laughed a little, and hopefully thought a little more. I heard the words "inspiring" a lot after... and it was nice to meet people who were from CAPE, and who were just interested in being there. Thanks Cate Park for helping set all this up and taking these pics.

Added: Daniel Wu is the question man... on wed April 22

Daniel Wu will ask the questions... He's in LA from Hong Kong and now, we're putting him to work. This might be interesting. I told him to go for it, and ask the hardest, embarrassing, and annoying questions possible.

Heisuke Kitazawa or PCP

I don't exactly know why, but I love these two photos... I'm actually behind Heisuke, moderating his talk at GR2 for his show. The people, the smiles, and his slides explained his work just a little bit better to everyone. From commercial work, old work, and new work, and finally to the reasons why this show is what it is, I think blew people away. He ended the talk explaining about his daughter who's growing quickly and he can see it happening, but at the same time, we are growing too and we can't see it. Then he talked about the shortness of life, and the importance of each day, and he put everyone in their place.

If we can make people smile at an art show, then we're doing a fine job.

While blogger is lame, I'm putting up my updates on hypebeast at http://hypebeast.com/blog/ericnakamura/

Reuters

Uh oh, Blogger is back, after two days of being totally numb, here it goes. So this was yesterday at the Papershapers show at the Scion gallery, which might be extended another week. Reuters who normally would cover wars, actually came down and did a video piece interviewing me and Ana Serrano. Gladly, we had a local person in the show who could manage press and she did a great job explaining the influence of this piece which was from Mexico. Her houses or city of cardboard is quite amazing. Where this Reuters piece ends up, I have no idea, but I'll update you when I know.

Blogger woes

Blogger is denying uploads of photos. What's going on people? Isn't it time to get off the Blogger and get to a real blogging program? This is getting lame.

James Jean (again) and Taffy

James Jean applies some touches to a "loose painting." In JJ world, what is loose anyway? His work has been going into different directions, and this one is a rickshaw in a world of detritus and waste. Sorry, this is merely a spy photo. I missed the dinner that his wife, Wen cooked.

Taffy has always liked me.

CAPE Spring NETWORKING Mixer...

Networking mixer... what did I sign up for? Will 10 people come? I'm being interviewed by a person TBA really soon. That person is supposed to be a director or actor of some sort. I've seen a short list, and it looks interesting, but I'm not quite sure who yet.

Here's their press release.

CAPE NETWORKING MIXER

AN EVENING WITH
GIANT ROBOT’S ERIC NAKAMURA

Open to CAPE Members and General Public
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
7:00pm to 10:00pm

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy building at JANM
(JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM)
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012

and here's where you sign up here!

Papershapers

That's Matt from Kansas City. He won the giantrobotshin.com contest. He came, he saw, he drank, and ate. The cool thing about Matt is that he actually fit in like an artist. He knew of most of the artist's work, and joined right in almost as a peer rather than a fan dude. I saw him being interviewed during the opening.

More of Mu Pan's Indians. This was the first time Mu's ever shown these pieces which he makes while watching TV.

That's myself and Brian. I said hi to more people while waiting for the toilet than anywhere else.
He wears Shaq like attire. It has an air of SAT test taking circa 1930.

The Wong Family Association. Childrens everywhere.

Scion recorded a record size crowd of 1155 people. If you came, thanks much. It was the first time a line up happened and we beat the previous attendance record by a bunch.

That's Myself and Martin. It was a fun night.

That's myself and Brian Dettmer who disappeared into the night earlier than everyone else.

That's Margaux in front who helped curate this mother... See Richard Sweeney's piece in the background? It's the next dimension.

Beau Sia is so deep. Catch him at his gig April 18, the same night as PCP at GR2.

Mr and Mrs Dettmer with some Richard Sweeney's pieces in the background.

Joseph Hahn shows the fingers he uses on his Geminis.

Okay, Ayako

Tables were put out so people could make Matt's winning design of Shin's robot! If you would have entered, you could have won. Shin picked the winner.

Lots of glue sticks and scissors, and some fool spilled beer!

People sat all night making things. It's the next level for shows-to make them interactive on different levels.

That's Matt and Richard talking to a youngster.

That's a new Prius. 50mpg and solar panels...

Mrs and Mr Hudlin. Director and comicbooker.

Ryohei Tanaka is in the middle, wearing the Scion hoody and making paper cut outs. He held a huge group all night.

Ken!

Richard Sweeney's piece. People interacted with his piece all night.

DJ Puffs who killed it. Her blend of music was smart and fit the genre.

Ana Serrano

Reggie Hudlin meets Puffs.

Shin gets Matt to sign his Papershapers booklet. Meanwhile Mr Hahn flips the bird.

Richard couldn't get enough and folded a dollar and signed it for me.

Mr Shin Tanaka... the night ends something like Oceans 11. As each person leaves the after show dinner, they say goodbye, leaving one at a time to go back and pack. As Shin leaves, the room erupts in applause. He waves and leaves out of the side door.

Inside Donutman's shop

Jim Nakano is the Donutman. I drove up at 8:30am on a saturday, and he sees me and I get a heroes welcome. "Come on in back," he says waving his arm, leading me to the right side of the building where I enter. Jim in back and all smiles like an uncle who you haven't seen in a year. He's busy since they're actually closing early since it's a day before Easter. A few people are lined up to buy his special brand of donuts, perhaps as a special holiday treat. I telephone ordered a fat 20 strawberry donuts, and they're just about complete when I get there. It gives us a chance to talk a bit, and he's a food guy, and drives all over to eat a meal. An older couple say hello from the outside front window, while I stand and talk. He waves them in, around the side and through the door, which signals that it's my turn to leave. It's a short visit, but I'm happy to say, I achieved the "pass" to be part of the inner circle (no donut pun intended).

Donutman



That's artist Ana Serrano. As you can see, strawberry donuts made it to the Scion space early in the day. The artists and friends from all over enjoyed the sweet treat.

Papershapers - Saturday April 11 Giant Robot x Scion Space Art Show

This is Shin Tanaka. He's a pretty quiet guy, but has a vision for his figures. He's sort of like the Michael Lau of paper figures, and now his work is front and center and really the inspiration for this entire art exhibition. It's all about works made with and on Paper hence the name Papershapers.

That's Polly Verity's hands. It's insane that she can sit there and fold this. She's from Edinburgh.

That's the work by the camera shy Hunter Stabler. He was probably on a walkabout.

Richard Sweeney. You might know his work from Flickr. He's quite good at getting his work out by using that site.

Ryohei Tanaka. Yes, he's in the show, and right now is giving off a lot of fun energy.

Ana Serrano's piece is a city. I wish I could live here.

That's my hood.

Lucky and Polly. Aw.... see you saturday. Yes, anyone is invited.

Scion Space.

Beau Sia

Sometimes, you meet interesting people. Beau Sia is one of them. At 32, he's quite young and kicks ass at whatever he does. Slam Poetry battles might be in his past, but performing etc, that's his future. He's as in tune or at least trying to find his tune in more than just work, but in how it weaves him with his life. That's artist shit. I sat down and had lunch and had a lot of fun. This guy's been around doing his work, and you'll see him soon. Also check out Rachel Getting Married, he's the wedding czar.

Papershapers Flavorpill - giant robot show Scion

We made it to Flavorpill.

Here's a link.

David Choe in China photos by Joseph To

I can't tell if his opening rocked, sold well, etc from the pics, but the ones I'm posting are different ones that what he posted. No I'm not in China, I was supposed to go, but stuff didn't line up, and too much chaos struck at the same time. Instead they're filming another episode of Thumbs Up. There's a decent crew in China backing up Dave including Harry, Joe To, and his own brother Paul. I hope you're all well loved as much as David always is. The man is never alone.
David's blog.

Airplants on sunday

One of my favorite things to do for some reason is to water my airplants. I fill up a sink and leave them in for a while. I don't have a drain blocker, so I use a rubber ice cube tray and I put a plate on top of it. These plants feed without roots, so it's important that they get misted and watered. I do the misting almost every day, maybe twice, or even three times a day. I give them a soak maybe once every two weeks. From where I sit and do my work, I watch them looking at me, especially this giant specimen above. Sometimes, they beg to be misted via plant-human telepathy, and I'm glad to do it.

Mr. James Jean at it again

James Jean's new painting is on the wall and in place at least temporarily at Mr Hahn house. Painting revolve here, but this one is quite nice. This stuff is starting to look effortless. There's a lot going on in the work.

OPENING TOMORROW : Crossings: 10 Views of camp exhibit opens at Japanese American National Museum - APRIL 2 THROUGH JUNE 21

That's a portrait of Lincoln done in a concentration camp during WW2. No, it's not Nazi shit, this is in the USA. Japanese Americans during WW2 were stuck in barracks in the middle of the desert in 11 different locations. The art being done about it, has been beat to death. So here's a Fresh take. Blend new artists with the old artists, and show some work that has never seen the light of day. Yes, it's another "Camp" exhibition, but it's more current and thought provoking. There, I said it. On the above painting, the artists painted a Lincoln on a rice bag stretched out like canvas. That alone is worth the price of admission. Below is another painting. Imagine the son got painted after Lincoln since the Lincoln portrait is behind him. JANM

I'm glad people had burlap bags so paintings got made.

These drawings are really cool. If they were done more today, I could see these in art shows around the country. It's a bit Picasso, but it's still cool.

The video version of Giant Robot 7. That's Michael Louie skating Manzanar's giant empty pool with the skateboards with the giant wheels.

This is a nice image. It's rad that Renee Tajima Pena made this film years ago, and it's cool that it's part of this exhibition.

These are awesome old painting. Imagine if someone started buying up all of the art done while in the camps. Do you think it would make a comprehensive collection that would one day be worth as much money as other art made during certain times?

I hope people would care, but in reality, it'll be worth whatever someone's willing to pay for it, and it might be best in the hands of JANM.

Shizu Saldamando

The skateboard used in the video may end up behind glass at the JANM.

Giant Robot Silverlake closed - thanks realrocknrollmovers

Moving out is always tough. I worried about this move for a month almost every day. In the end, because I worry, I always think that the job is easier than it is. But on the flipside, it takes a lot of energy, and I hold that in me and live with it constantly. It's not just moving, it's the work before and after, and that doesn't include the other aspects in my life and work, that I worry about, and I carry those daily as well. I don't think I'll ever stop worrying about things, and I'd like to think it's because I care. I'll live less, and I'll smile a bit less, but that's my life.

Real Rock N Roll movers (realrocknrollmovers.com) were quite great. See below for more.

Yes that's a rock n roll mover. Movers are there to move your possessions, but is that all they do? I hear horror stories about things getting stolen, broken, etc, but these guys are actually smart movers. They're conscientious, methodical, and tactical. They can play tetris with your goods to make sure it fits well and safely. Instead of just lugging items, they look out for each other in how things are being carried for more leverage. They actually look at what the terrain is before they move to make sure things are safe. I really like it when one of the guys will call out, "Stop!" and they all huddle to discuss what they are doing in that instant and how it'll affect the entire job. Maybe that's the teamwork of being in a band coming out. There's a lead singer type, a drummer type and a bass player type. Together they make music, and together, they guys can move.

David, Chris and Keyla patch the wall. We had a good run in Silverlake. It was a fun ride, and I hope we can do it again. It's the first whole location that we closed. We did actualy close half of our NY store, but that's NYC. Rents and economics make no sense there. This feels like the first real closure, so I have some thoughts on it, that I hope I get out one day soon when I figure them all out.

That's what the wall looked like behind the case. It's a bit out of control, but that's what Pryor did to the wall to make sure it was flat. I'd say, he's a bit OCD. See how small some of the pieces are? It's a bit crazy, and it does make a nice art installation.

That's the big shelf unit made by Pryor. It's fairly modular.

Slumdoglords Giant Robot SF

Chelsea Wong of Giant Robot SF is busted eating pizza on the job. She actually deserves the slice, since she helped the dog below which was left in a car on a hot day. The windows were cracked, but that dog was dehydrated sitting in there for an hour and a half or more. Chelsea dumped a half bottle of water in there, and the big dog never stopped drinking. She's smiling since she knows she's spilling a bunch in the car too. The Slumdoglords should get their dog ownership revoked.



This is amazing looking. It's from Rosamunde Sausage grill. This was the special lamb chili dog and was gamey and great. It's in the lower haight and this was delicious.

I saw this also in the lower haight. It's stencils of koi. I don't know what's more serene that koi swimming on pavement. It's one of the favorite examples of streetart that I've seen.