Richard Mille

Want to know what a watch worth more than a house can look like? Richard Mille watches are high end, so high end, they often don't have any in their shops. They might have more employees sitting around than watches. This one's titanium with a lot of bling added. Tons of diamonds and a solid feel. It's actually quite thick and it's all hand made. Different version of their watches are for different people, and they are often customized.

See the balls of metal that roll around to help keep the time right? That's how a pendulum system should work. There's something like 20,000 parts that make this watch tick. Guess where this watch sells the most? I know the answer thanks to the rep, and I guessed it on my second try.

Earthquake Sichuan

Thanks for the well wishes from many of you. I'm in China, but the Earthquake is quite far away. I was in a plane, and the devastation looks terrible especially since it happened in a poorer province. The news here in China shows no information except weird graphics and two heads on TV. We also felt multiple quakes in Tokyo. 6.8 was the largest that was 100 miles off shore. Although China seems hunky dory, you don't get the news quickly.

Seonna Hong Viscery Loves Company Kaikaikiki gallery

I made it to Tokyo in time to see Seonna Hong's art show at Kaikaikiki gallery called, Viscery Loves Company. Her paintings were large sized, much larger than anything I've seen from her before. I actually saw these pieces in the works at her studio, but seeing them up on a nice large wall was amazing. She's able to mix her old sharp 2d style that was heavily graphic oriented, to now using paint brush strokes and showing them off, while not abandoning her craft elements of using pre printed papers for her character's outfits. I have a feeling, these new works will be part of a great future in painting for her. 

mediarights.org short list

This came out today at mediarights.org. It's a life of documentaries that I suggest. I probably have seen 3 or 4 more that should be in it. I think the idea is this list should be a starting point of discussion. Maybe some of you disagree with some of these are being good ones, but it's what inspires me. Check out the list, and maybe comment and add other ones. Docs are fun, and it seems like people are giving them more notice lately.

Mediarights.org.

JAL and Tokyo and Dehara

Japan Airlines is a pretty good airline. Seafood curry works, and they even give you the fukujinzuke (red pickles) to eat with it. Seems like one that you shouldn't blow, and they didn't. The green salad is pedestrian, that was probably made in LA. The salmon was great as was the fish cake, and the burdock root. The dessert was fluffy and not too sweet. All this was an encouraging start to a long trip. I'm surprised at how decent this was. 

I got hungry and asked for snacks, here's what they brought. 1) I got a toothbrush, since I forgot mine. 2) the Coca Cola cup actually has their special Yuzu beverage, which is quite nice. It's not too sweet. One the left is their no frills rice cracker mix, which is great. Then it's a two piece fancier rice cracker bag, then a granola, and then potato sticks!

This meal didn't work for me, I don't dig the pasta cream sauce along with the chicken. But the small container of noodles were good. Potato salad and fish, and the fruit was all fine. 

Pryor takes it off with Dehara and Yoko. They all drink a lot.

Since Michelle is vegan, this is what she gets. Rabbit food.

At a bar in Golden street area... There's maybe 100 bars in the area, most are tiny, but this one was a cool one. Dehara is a good sport and if you haven't, check out his work at gr2.

Jacob Magraw art on Chuck Palahniuk Book Rant.

I'm at LAX looking at books for a second, then I see this one. It's Jacob Magraw art on the cover. I thought about buying it, but I'm already holding two. The name of the author makes me think he must be from that Nordic area of the Reindeer people. Congrats Jacob for the book, and his new baby along with Rachell Sumpter, Mica Ruth Mickelson. Next stop for me: Tokyo.

The Judge of short films speaks

Short films judging for the VC film fest. It's due tomorrow, I've watched it all twice, again doing my duty to take this serious since in the end, it just helps. It's a tough one though. Imagine judging a doc against a narrative against a music video against an animation. How do you do it? It's sort of like picking your favorite fruit or your favorite doughnut. You just have one, sort of. 

What about comparing the best type of food. Is it Vegetable, Beef, or Sweets? Vegetables are healthiest, you can eat it daily for the rest of your life. If you ate only beef, you'd shit badly all the time. Sweets only, you'd get diabetes, but it tastes good. Seems like veggies are the best for you, although good sweets sure are great. Great steak tastes good too. One is better for you in the long run, the others are definitely better in the short run. Tough pick in a way. I'm still deciding between the Vegetable and Dessert film. I can't pick. 

I also saw Up the Yangtze a film about the river that's being dammed and is displacing 2 million people and maybe now 2 million more. It's an arty documentary. I'm on the fence if I liked it a lot. I think I was looking for it to be more informative, as in something I'd see on Discovery channel. This film is much more poetic and touching, something totally unexpected, and that's why it's getting some distribution, it has a viewpoint, tempo, art direction, and style. 

Kissing Cousins

Amazing sight at the DGA this evening. Tons of people packed the lobby and it felt like it was opening night one more time, but this time Sunday at 6:30pm, when then became 7pm and then maybe 7:20 by the time the film began. Kissing Cousins a film by Amyn Kaderali was the special feature film that's put in the middle. They call it a center piece film when it's not an opener or a closer to get that extra special showing in there. Did you know that? I've only recently learned about the centerpiece spot in a festival. 

What did I think about the film? Honestly, it was a great first feature. Kaderali masterfully weaves a ton of characters to make a fun family comedy. I guess you can say romantic comedy featuring an Indian lead dude who's just a dude and not an Ethnic portrayal. It's funny, and he gets away with a lot of scenes that could have easily gone south. Impressive. I felt it wasn't lit right, might be my only criticism. Maybe it was the projection. Either way, it's worthy of support. 

Kissing Cousins site. This has to be temporary since it's it's an ip address. 

I ate one too many samosas beforehand, which were really good. I'm sure they were out there for Kaderali and his friends, but I munched as many as I could anyway.  Having that festival badge helps.

Kaderali was still being interviewed. He's a tall dude picking his eye. The weird thing is, life's grand during the festivals, but if you don't have "big" (as in Hollywood) interest, it's a big up that crests at the festival and then turns back into regular life soon after. But I think the highs are fun for that minute. 

Takashi Murakami Davy Jones' Tear Blum and Poe May 3 - June 14th.

Takashi Murakami's show Davy Jones' Tear opening took place at Blum and Poe. I'm sure everyone wants to know how much everything is. I never bothered to find out, but they weren't free or cheap. They probably hit the 7 figures+ and I heard they were all sold. From one of his past associates, I found out it's not uncommon for an artist to follow up a big ass show in the same city with another exhibition to make some sales, pretty much as I thought. The art continues to be great, in a sort of continuation from the latest works at MOCA. These really need to be seen in person to get the idea of what they're like. From an image alone, you don't get the idea. 

These works follow up on the second floor of the MOCA exhibition.

I heard that these works were entirely silkscreened. Many colors no doubt and huge and meticulous. I think it's the first time he produced work in this manner. 

These works are actually amazing and will continue his tradition of art. The piece above has a little bit of old school and new. The latest flower style which you see on his mugs, and his newest style of his backgrounds.

A lot of folks steamed up the rooms. I'm sure it's not so great for the works, but for a night, it's all cool.

Seonna Hong, who I'll be seeing in Tokyo next week. She'll be there tomorrow.

Takashi Murakami and Mark Ryden

Kurobuta and baby bok choy and tomato at Wilson Food and Wine. 

Kobe style beef on an eggplant slice, asparagus, and flat bread and guacamole.

Tim Blum makes a quick speech. Tim Blum and Jeff Poe have done a lot for art in LA and maybe the US. Granted, it's mostly high art, and it definitely caters to the heavy hitters, their clientele, the work by Murakami has transcended to the masses. They also handle Yoshitomo Nara as well. It's work that's infiltrated popular culture and brought a style of Japanese art to the US and they were into it before it was cool or hot. I'm sure they're doing quite well as a result of their vision, and look at how many people they can host to a nice meal.

Tim Blum, a woman (I found out! It's Tim's wife), me and Chiho...

Judging shorts

I'm judging shorts this year at the VC film festival. I've been outspoken about how I dislike short films, so I seem like a terrible candidate, but in the end, it's not true. It's not that I dislike shorts, it's more about disliking bad shorts. I've seen my share of short programs that have 8 bad ones and 1 good one. I've also seen some which are 10 bad ones only. Then there's been some that are half and half. I'll admit from experience, it's difficult to tell a short in just a few minutes. Usually, it's a gag, or a quick "haha" type of project. That's how it is. You don't have time to develop a character, you don't have time to tell an entire life story, but what you can do is a quick vignette. 

I've made a super 8 short, Sumo: the Wrestlers which screened a few times in festivals here and there. It actually showed in the post LA riot 1991 to just a few people. I made another years later as part of the Obits program, which went to a bunch of film fests, which I hope never sees the light of day again. There were others as well. I think I had screen dreams back then, like many today. 

I do know people spend as much money as it takes of make a feature film on a short. They probably take as long as some do to make a feature, and for some, this is their life's achievement, all in a matter of a few minutes. So with that mind, I'll give all of these film a fair viewing. Who knows, this may give some lift to an important director tomorrow.

Somehow I found the room of snacks. It's not pretty, but that's where people recharge.

Asian Pacific Film Festival LA Ping Pong Playa by Jessica Yu

Visual Communications presents the Asian Pacific Film Festival. It's on! Full house at the DGA with Ping Pong Playa as the opening night film. That's an auspicious title. What is Ping Pong Playa about? Imagine a pro Yellow Asian American who's as outspoken as Mars Blackmon and Charles Barkley. And instead of playing basketball, he takes it old school by playing ping pong. The flick is by Oscar winner Jessica Yu, that works with the idea of a tight Chinese American family, a Chinese sport, and model minority myths, but all done under the guise of a comedy. It's a perfect Asian American film fest feature.

That's an older photo of Jimmy Tsai and Jessica Yu I took in SF.

Patrick from alivenotdead.com and Monica who's a model and such around the globe.

That's Terence, who was the one who hooks up with a fan in Alivenotdead. He's also the one who sings well, but also acts. It's awesome that he's from South Pasadena and has made it in Asia. He doesn't visit much, so say hello when you can or if you see him. 

He eats pretty quick as I saw at Jerry's Deli after the fest opening. You take it for granted that what I think is junky American food is everywhere, but it doesn't exist in Hong Kong. It was nice to catch up with these folks in LA since I missed em all when I was out there.

Asian Heritage Month MAY! Cutting room floor

It's Asian Heritage Month! What that means, is that you give all Asian Americans deals, discounts, pounds, and props. No, actually, it just means, it's a time when there's many events and celebrations.

They interviewed me for this, and they got hold of Martin as well. Strange quote from Martin about being cheap and Asian American, I guess? Almost doesn't fit with the rest and certainly makes odd sense in context of this video. I'm left on the cutting room floor or I guess somewhere on a harddrive, no worries. Check out the vid. It's not a handful, but it's something okay. This is Asian Heritage Month. MAY

It's done by the Asia Society.

Who's the Jerk Now?

Yes, it's me. I still haven't been able to talk to the gardener who stole my avocados. He comes for just a pinch of time on tuesday, a day when I'm often out running around. I don't have his phone number, he just comes and bills me. Easy deal. This time, he left a letter. Imagine a man, probably near 70, maybe mid 60s, penning a letter of apology for stealing avocados... to a punk kid like me. That sucks. He swallowed his pride, shame, and whatever dignity he had to write this all out and tell me sorry more than once. Yes, kiss me, I'm a jerk.

But... let's break this all down again. 

1) Dude, waited for a day when no one was around, and hopped up on the roof, probably used my picking tool and stole multiple boxes of avocados. 

2) Neighbor caught him and he said that I wouldn't notice since he picks from the middle and high up. That's exactly where we pick them for the restaurant gr/eats.

3) He said they damage the roof from falling. We stand on the roof to pick them. I'm heavier than an avocado. I question if he really said this to the neighbor.

4) I caught him 2 years ago, and told him, not to steal them since I need them. He did it again.

The response by me was blog it, and post signs. The LA Times blog picked it up, and maybe a few gardeners will think about stealing their boss's property. He broke the law, stole private property, and I think I'm going to let him off with this apology. 

10 reasons why David Horvath is Babo

It's been said, that David Horvath looks like his characters. What do you think about Babo?

 

1) The eyes 

2) The teeth 

3) The hand gesture

4) The fact that he draws the Uglydolls. As pictured Babo draws Uglydolls 

5) David is a lefty, notice where the chopsticks are. Babo is a righty. Hmm. That's not helping my theory, is it? Sun-min is probably a righty though. Maybe it's to throw us off.

6) Babo has a little part in the head, David has a part in the hair.

7) Babo likes cookies. David likes cookies.

8) Babo means stupid or idiot in Korean. David is self deprecating, hence the name Uglydolls.

9) Babo is one of the earliest Uglydolls. I think it might have been the first. 

10) Uglycon and How to Draw Uglydolls as presented by Babo? Uh, David? 

Avocado thief makes it to the times blog

I wonder what people really think about this. Is it just stupid? Either way, a theft is a theft. Glad the Times are playing attention to this fairly trivial matter. Read their entry in the LA Now blog. It's not too much, but I'm amazed that they care. Maybe it's a Southern California thing. The weather is nice, we actually can grow produce in our yards (yes, we actually have yards with fruit)... If you drive in my area, you can see other trees, peaches, loquat, guava, other avocados, lemons, tangerines, persimmons and more. It's pretty cool to be in Southern Cali. My parents house has apple trees that are pretty good. They also do grapes which rock and blackberries.

Check it all out here.

University Illinois Chicago

Talking at a the University of Illinois Chicago, which is a state school that's supposedly not among the better institutions, it was a a great chance to talk to the people-the regular kids-which is pretty much how I got my education. 

1) The school is 25% Asian, and even with that, there's no Asian American studies as a major. There's a student Asian American office, but it ends there. One office, and 25% of the campus who's Asian. It doesn't compute, does it? The majority is probably 1.5 generation, which is maybe why it's splintered. 

2) We talked for about 40 minutes to a decent amount of people, and then answered questions, then it became an impromptu signing session. Usually people just gather and take, but in Chicago, they lined up orderly.



3) The best part of talking to schools is that the kids who aren't forced to come, really listen as compared to talking at a class where people just don't care.

4) Another good part about doing it out of town is that these are all new folks who are just finding out about the magazine. Hopefully, they'll stick around.

5) The good thing is that we got to eat Greek food for dinner. The future of Asian America? I'm not sure, it's always cloudy, but today, I think we talked good game.

Cai Guo-Qiang At the Guggenheim Museum I Want to Believe

Murakami might be in Brooklyn, but Cai Guo-Qiang is at the Guggenheim. Two of Asia's finest artists are doing insanely well in the world market. I don't need to say much about Murakami, who's going the Louis Vuitton thing in Brooklyn as well, and Cai Guo-Qiang did his exploding car thing as well, and showed his stuffed animals and boats with arrows. He also showed his explosion paintings as well. It's amazing that two artists from Asia can make an impact in perhaps the leading city for "high" art in America at once. If you're in NYC, I'd highly suggest you check out Cai Guo-Qiang. I last saw his work at MassMOCA, and it's great that he's also going to do the fireworks for the Beijing Olympics.

Comicon Day 2, Sunday and Over

You know you're in trouble when you see "URBAN VINYL" look like this. Recall, one year ago, I photographed Diamond comics with the box that said "URBAN VINYL" on it, and although they probably don't make these, I didn't like them at all. I'm not sure if a Urbanized Han Solo or Boba Fett is the way to go. When I see this, I think it's the end of the vinyl doll craze, but it's not. Have any opinions on this?

This morning, a funny thing was taking place. Look at this photo. You see the dog just looking at me as if he was skeptical old man. Not saying a word, but just watching away. But the dog owners were in back. It's overcast, a little cold, and in this empty playground are a couple who get their morning exercise by throwing a Frisbee at each other. I would agree that Frisbee throwing is a lot of fun, but for some reason, this didn't fit at all.

The top row of handmade crochet plush are amazing.

Plenty is said in hush hush about the above kaiju. What do you think?

GRNY.

Pillow fight with Uglies. It was a daydream for you some of you Uglyfans. 

Videos / the thief and the musician

The thief struck a Giant Robot art exhibition in SF. Know who this is? This person stole a piece by Susie Ghahremani. Notice the lack of fear or any kind of hesitation. This person is bad person. Could you do this without any hesitation? Would you even think about it? And would it eat you up later? It's sad to say, some people just don't care and won't hesitate to steal from a young artist. Sad times and a sad world we live in. Imagine that this is a stolen art piece, and not a murder, terrorism, war, or anything like that, and yet, this person still has to fuck up something that's fairly pure.




The next video I shot while on Virgin America. Did you know they'll let a passenger play the sax in an aisle? I'd much rather see a gymnast do flips, or maybe a stripper doing her thing, or how about a skateboarder pushing mongo-style? Virgin America is a lot more open minded in letting people entertain themselves on a plane which is shocking since eventually it'll cause some kind of problem or complaint. I remember after 9/11 they didn't want people getting out of their seats. If you hung around near the bathrooms, it meant bad things. Maybe it's great that we're more lax, and security is improved to the point that we can fly with a smile and more comfort.

NY day one Comicon, Buff Monster GR2, Kaiju NY, and frites

The NY Comicon is improved from last year. That's the first thing worth talking about. Our booth is not among the toy people, which is how we do it in San Diego. I'm not quite sure why, but I think we're happy being near the indie comic book folks, more than the toy folks. I hope the toy folks don't mind. I flew in on the first flight and caught some of the action.

Anne and Michelle on west 32nd 

Buff Monster shows off his kaiju technique

Buff in style

Jimmy - the guy who comments a lot. He's a tall Asian guy. Notice the hipster 15 degree clockwise rotation of the designer cap.

Kiyoka Ikeda's Gargamel pieces at the Kaiju event.

Toy Tokyo's space AKA Lev's Apartment

Frites on 2nd. One of the sauces is a curry ketchup, the winner!

Night over.

Japanese American National Museum Board of Governors

Norman Mineta... Read his wikipedia entry. He's had an amazing career, including an airport named after him. He's the first Asian American mayor in the US (San Jose). The San Jose International is actually in his name. And he was the only Democrat in George Bush's regime. That's out of control. Tonite I met him, Senator Daniel Inouye who I actually met before, and many others. Why? They're part of the Board of Governors. At first, I thought they'd be like Arnold Schwartzeneggar, but they're more like Asian Americans on a mission. But tonite, it was a special dinner to talk about the museum, it's possible future, the next GR Biennale that's in 2009, and how they fit in. The talk was maybe 30 minutes, and I went through a few slides. 

The Senator from Hawaii rolls without any secret service. Am I supposed to say that? Daniel Inouye has been a Senator since 1959. He must love his job. I can't see him ever losing another Senate election. I'll bet his punk rock son, Kenny could run in his father's place and win right off the bat. Daniel Inouye is like Ironman. Also in the house was George Takei, my main man. He's a cool guy, and is a part of the GR team, especially when it's museum or popular culture related. When 2009 rolls through, he's definitely going to be a part of this entire party. 

Read about Mineta
Read about Inouye

I heard some say that I did a fine job tonite. I tried to give a background of what GR is about, what we like to do, how we do things, and then I tried to show the museum and our exhibition, what it meant to people, and how diverse of an audience it attracted. In the end, we'll need their understanding and support to make a Biennale or other shows, work. I also told them that all of this wouldn't be worth doing if we didn't have their support. Why would I ever want to faction out a place that desperately needs to be cohesive? That said, I think we're all on the same page and on the same team. The last photo is all of us eating the leftovers. If I'm ever a "governor," I guess I'll eat with them. For now, I'm happy to hang out with these mofos.

Next stop Comicon NY. Be there later today or if not, I'll be there on Sunday for sure. Depends on how early I can get in. Then the talks in Chicago. The first at UIC, and then a special morning session. 

AVOCADO THIEF - My Gardener

We were wondering why does it look like the tree is bearing less fruit? Wondering and wondering. Then a neighbor gives us the heads up. Our gardener is stealing our avocados. He walked out with boxes (plural) is what we heard. On Tuesday, I wasn't in, Martin was out, and no one was around when Mr Nishi decided to rack avocados. Evidently he told our neighbor that we don't pick them, and they will fall on the roof and damage the roof, which would be a lie. When they fall on the roof, the slope places them on the backyard lawn. I go on the roof often and seldom are any sitting on the roof, as a matter of fact, hardly any fall at all, on the roof or not. 

I told him that we use the avocados at gr/eats and not to take them when I caught him about two years ago. He gets paid to do the cheap "BLOW MOW AND GO" as coined by the gardener I interviewed in a previous issue of Giant Robot magazine. Even with the many bald spots in my lawn, I never complain. And stealing fruit like this, especially when I told him not to, bad move. 

The avocado tree is a symbol of my own patience. My house and this tree are old timers, and avocados usually happen once every two years. It's a joy to have them for gr/eats, guests, friends, whoever, but for me to pay someone to steal them? That's pretty low and classless. If he asked, I'd have given him some, but for him to go onto my roof and steal boxes? That's a low blow. 

That's what his invoice looks like in my trash. My Japanese American Gardner, time to say sayonara, even if you're a childhood friend's dad. I'll show him face by not calling him out. But if he wants his money, it's going to take a conversation to make it happen. Until then, we're even.

In all three languages that we and they engage in any kind of communication.

See the tool? That's actually me picking avocados today. I picked 12. 

SF story

Matt Revelli is the main man behind Upper Playground. He hates photos, and I managed to get one. Went up to bay yesterday and took care of the interviews, but afterwards, ate a meal with Matt. I can't tell you about how inspiring this dude is. But you have imagine, he's made the nearly impossible work many times, and his business acumen is on point. It's hard to tell you about all of the things we talked about which is really fun, since he's in a similar position with a store, magazine, and making stuff. We find ourselves laughing at the funny things that's happened to the both of us, full knowing the second half of the story without even having to tell it. 

GR53 in SF

Guess where I am. Yes I'm in SF, but it's not fun and games or anything like that, I'm interviewing 9 people for the coveted position as GR manager. Francois is stepping down and going to school, and to probably work on his own publishing ventures, and that's him with the new GR which is available today just in the stores. James Jarvis art is on the cover and it pops out! Francois's head shape doesn't quite compare to the "Martin" head shape!

The SF store has a tight packed case of Lomo gear. look at the ring flash! I'll be around the SF shop today, in and out, and it's going to be an arduous day, but SF is always nice.

The Yard, My Playground

Digging through some old photos, I found this little sequence in a set. It's the trainyard in West LA about 2 blocks from where I grew up. It's still sort of there, but not, since trains no longer run on these tracks. It's behind the corner of Pico and Sepulveda. This was a playground for me when I was in later elementary and junior high school. This photo says a lot. The tracks, the wall, and businesses of some sort on the other side. Sometimes, we'd (my friend Anthony Lupton - son of actor John Lupton) be there in the early morning. 7am! Riding our BMX bikes over the tracks and around the area, as if we were on patrol. It was our yard and was adjacent to a parking lot for the warehouse for huge store called Zody's. The graf guys who came by, were mere welcomed visitors.