Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Fil-Am History Month! An entire month?! There’s an Asian American Heritage Month that is national, but the city of Chicago is throwing down a month for Filipino Americans. What will they do in October? Did you know Filipino Americans is the second largest Asian group in the US?
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Ahhhh, Chicago in 100 degree heat. . . What better place to escape into the air conditioning than the Shedd Aquarium? And right now they have a great jellyfish exhibit that will be up until Spring 2012. Yes, I admit that the entry fee is pretty steep at about 30$ a head. But don’t let that you detour you! Once we were pass the admission booth I quickly realized that all of the money goes back to the facility. It ain’t cheap feeding all those fishies! Oh! And don’t miss the resident beluga whales, either. Those little friendly guys will make your day with their cuteness! Word of advice: Purchase your ticket in advance on-line at the Shedd Aquarium website. There is a separate entry line for on-line tickets that was virtually empty.
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Best known in Chicago for his Barack Obama “Hope” poster in 2008, artist Shepard Fairey has left his mark on our lakefront. Under Lake Shore Drive, at the Viaduct for Grand Ave. he created a 130 by 10 feet “Obey” mural featuring record album-like cover works. As part of the Navy Pier Walk 2011 art exhibition, which is billed as the largest outdoor installation of its kind in the country (officially opens July 1), his work will remain up through October.
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Ba Le Sandwich Shop – Chicago In the words of the great Ed Lin, C’mon, graffiti people! It’s bad enough that this thing is 5 ft tall, and is the first thing that you see as you go to get your Banh Mi, but do you really need to taunt us too? I know that you were once a beautiful blank canvas, but they don’t deserve this. They serve yummy and cheap sandwiches and even give you the 6th one free if you buy 5. They make cool funky looking desserts that beg to be eaten. They are a small hard working business, that is an asset to the neighborhood. I eat here all the time and feel bad for them. I’m tempted to turn this into positive advertising for them by re-tagging it…
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Friday April 22, 2011 Trouble – new paintings by Jay Ryan @ Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago I’ve been a fan of Jay Ryan’s work since the mid 90’s when I first started seeing his screenprinted rock show posters popping up around town. Unknowingly at the time too, I was a fan of his band Dianogah, which featured 2 bass guitars and a drummer. Eventually putting the two together I followed his career pretty closely. As a musician, his band is one of my all time favorites, and as an artist the same could be said. I easily own over 50+ pieces of his work plus a couple of books. His bass lines and sound is as distinct as his hand drawn images and text that appear in his artwork. You know a ”Jay Ryan” when you see or hear one… That’s what was impressive about Trouble. Although the paintings were clearly “Jay Ryan”, the work moved me in ways none of his previous work has. Dark and frightful, Would not be how you would describe his typical work, but this would be the first thing you’d say with Trouble. Heavily influenced by all of the recent world disasters – New Zealand, Japan and U.S., coupled with the birth of his first child, the paintings evoke panic, distress and fear initially, but then the protectiveness, concern and obvious love that shines from within when confronted in times of disasters. Heroic, no. But inspirational and emotional, yes. A little more fluid and flowing although I’ve seen posters he’s done that had as many as 25 screens, the images and colors blend and merge with emotion and distinction. I’ve always considered his posters the perfect blend of fine and pop art, that not just music geeks could appreciate. Also Jay recently did the illustrations for the city of Chicago’s One Book, One Chicago Spring reading program featuring Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. http://www.chipublib.org/dir_documents/oboc_11s_guide.pdf If you get the chance, stop by Rotofugi and see his work, it’s up til May 22. You can check out his posters @ The Bird Machine plus he and some friends started Flinchy – t-Shirt company. Check out the video it’s hilarious.
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