Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sawtelle Street Art


I usually don't care much about street art since it's always fleeting and it's more like a hobby for a week especially since the Banksy Effect has taken place with his book being sold at Urban Outfitters. We're all artists now right? 5 years ago, we were all DJ's. We all knew this was going to happen. Either way, here's two pieces that are interesting on Sawtelle. The flower looks great above. It caught my eye.


This one is interesting. I don't know what it means, but it has one of those expensive street art looks again thanks to Sir Banksy. This one is inside of Yamaguchi which is beginning to be dismantled. Did you know we made an effort to make that entire Yamaguchi spot, the home of Giant Robot? We tried hard and got denied.

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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Dirty Hands World Premier - Harry Kim and David Choe Los Angeles Film Festival - The Crest

I like Photos of Harry Kim and David Choe. This one says it all, doesn't it? It was before the film, Dirty Hands was to start. Harry holds a bouquet of flowers. Harry with flowers! He's holding up a ticket to get in and he's wearing a tie-dye t shirt that says, Arizona on it. David stands next to him, with a Sharpie and film festival badge in hand, arm around his great friend. Both not knowing how other directors might handle a beginning of a film festival film, often with red carpet bravado and pompousness. This was the opposite. It was as if they handed the keys to the prison to the inmates. Everything was turned on it's head. Yet, a huge staff of support was there for the film, even if it was just from friends. Meanwhile, a line spanned down the block. It was long. 

Dirty Hands website.
Meet the parents. Harry Kim's parents on the left, David Choe's parents on the right. None had seen the film yet. They were proud to wear the Dirty Hands T shirt by Upper Playground. That alone was a great sight. They had no idea what was upcoming and what adventures their kids went on together over the last 8 years. Seeing each other was a great start. Here's a little back story. Evidently, Harry got into trouble perhaps at the hands of David's older brother. The Kim's were apprehensive of the Choe clan, they haven't spoken in years and years. The film brought them out and together last night. It was a sight at the after film party at Asuka restaurant next door. The elder Koreans sat at a table, talked, and were often seen pointing fingers happily at their kids. Something was brewing and only they know what that is, but being proud was definitely part of it.  The crowd was energetic, they laughed, clapped, and I only heard great things about the film.

Here's that long, long line. Some got turned away. The theater was packed for this film. If you got in, it was a special night. David Choe hid out and didn't want to be in the awkward scene of having his parents see him say and do the nuttiest things. I introduced the film, and that was actually tough, since, it's easy to talk about David Choe, but this time, it was about Harry, and he got a huge cheer when I mentioned his name. The film went off without a hitch. I video taped the Q and A, and I'll see if I can get that up soon.

My friend Bobby Hundreds. We stood next to each other after the film, taking it in. A nice dude walked by and said, "whoa, my two favorite bloggers next to each other." I figured that was Bobby's friend and I got to ride his coat tail for a second.

That's David before the film.

David and James Jean, the cover artist of Giant Robot 54. We sponsored the after party at Asuka. See the banner that's sagging? Dave put it up. He doesn't know tape as well as paint.

Dave signs Converse. He's featured in an ad for Converse, wish we got that ad in the mag. 

That's Jessica Sanders, filmmaker - a true paparazzi shot.


This guy got everything.

The scene at Asuka. You can actually make out the parents in the background in the black t shirts!

After after party at Barcade in Korea town. You can actually play games inside. We were there until near 4am.

It was Harry's night, and maybe year. I can't tell you how proud I am of this dude. People discount Harry a lot. Imagine, Dave's a world famous type of artist, there's been this dude tagging along shooting footage. No one has seen much, and it's been dragging so long, it seems like it would never ever come out. But lo and behold, this man has major talent along with his staff. Great editing job as well.

That's big brother, Jimmy Choe on the left.

Even though Harry had a great time, David sat on his face, sweaty nuts to the chin. In this way, these dudes haven't grown up at all. 

That's Yoshi Obayashi, he's a comedian, his brother is a pro skater with the same name.

The night obviously ends in Korean food. The weird thing was that at almost 5am, there was a soccer game on, and I'm sure it was Korea playing, and there were people actually there to watch.

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Friday, June 29, 2007

Barry McGee in Tokyo

It's going on now. Here's some photos from Towa Tei. Nice photos, via analog Yashica.





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Saturday, June 16, 2007

Ray

Barry McGee work has been looking like this lately. Sometimes, with a hat, sometimes in an Indian style, it's different, and it's grown on me.

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Saturday, May 19, 2007

Watari Museum

Mr McGee's next show. Towa Tei is going to play music too. Tokyo June 3 at Watari Museum.



I was hoping to get to Japan to see, help, whatevers for this show, but maybe next time. We talked about this show since last year, Japan in 07, but maybe another time. It's fun working with (Fong 06, Pimple 07) Mcgee installing. When you think things need to be a certain way, they don't, and when you think things are fine, they aren't. You can't tell exactly what he wants sometimes, that's the fun part. Even with the simple installation of the GR2 mini show, I thought I did fine, but then I get a simple email telling me to remove a tiny bracket that I didn't notice. It's some of those little things that make his vision his, and it's why we enjoy the work.

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Thursday, May 17, 2007

Pimple

Robert Pimple on saturday. I think...

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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

David Choe mural

David Choe paints a mural at Facebook. Amazing.



A new print with some painting on it by Choe. Who knows what the edition is, but a first round of queries of $250. It's a nice looking piece that's mixing the crazy line, city scape, and his well drawn females. Is the title any shout to Lost in Translation, the Kevin Shields City Girl song?



It's nice to hear this song no matter what. I'm sure it inspires great work and art all over the place.

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Sunday, February 04, 2007

shadow graffiti

I have no idea what this shadow is doing, but I saw it right away and wondered what the heck was going on. A fluke? But in the end, it's just weird "street art." Is it done by the city?! Upon a bit of research, it is, sort of and it's from 95! Read up on it here.
Then go here and see what he's doing now. It's definitely less exciting.

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