GR: Welcome to Southern California. Tell me about your new place and your working studio set up situation?

Thank you very much. I currently live in the South Bay with some fellow artists including Aaron “Angry Woebots” Martin and Mathew Curran, a fellow North Carolinian that made the cross country move with me.  We have a converted loft in the back of our house where we can paint, cast resin and sculpt amongst other things, all to facilitate the different types of projects that each of us might be working on. It’s definitely a change from being in NC where I was essentially working in an artistic vacuum on my own – being amidst many artists that inspire me has definitely given me a new-found appreciation for being able to share techniques, offer and receive critiques and have constant constructive feedback.

GR: This exhibition features pieces that are fully sculpted and not customized. Is this a new direction? Will you still customize?

For this particular show I wanted to focus more on form, rather than the narrative or emotive qualities in many of my previous pieces. Although I am often recognized for being a part of the toy customizing scene, I prefer to create original sculptures for shows where I have the opportunity to showcase a larger body of work, work that is not contingent upon modifying or customizing existing base platforms.  That said, I will still participate in customizing shows depending on if I feel that I can create a piece that is fundamentally sound in theme and execution.

GR: Animals are an obvious theme this time out, yet it’s not limited by mammals, insects or reptiles, yet there’s a common bond between them. Can you talk about how you chose which animals to depict? 

I chose to call this body of work “Biorgasmica”, a study of what it would be like to meld various elements of baroque stylings, the human face and the shape of various creatures together.  When determining what animals I wanted to involve, it mostly came down to animals where I could envision how those disparate elements could more easily coalesce into one cohesive creature.  The final roster of creatures tended to be those that were organically armored, whether with a carapace or scales, or those that had body shapes that would lend themselves to the incorporation of faces or detailing.

GR: Also explain what process you went through to create these works. It’s hard to tell what material you’re using. 

I primarily sculpted the creatures from scratch using a two part epoxy resin and/or polymer clay, incorporating metal findings/decorative designs and filigree to accent.  For the jellyfish, the clear dome was vacuum formed plastic.

After each creature was chosen, I created the internal armature with wire and then laid down a base layer of epoxy material for the basic shape. The next step was to refine the bodies with more epoxy and add detailing such as scales and faces. The last step was to detail them with the metal findings and finally painting, both with a matte black and then painted gloss.

GR: While you work on various ventures, is being a full time artist the ultimate goal for you?

I am most interested in plaintive emotive and narrative elements in art. To that end, I consider my using sculpture as just one method to help convey those things. Whether I paint or sculpt, write or record, I will always want to be a storyteller first, and then determine which medium would be best suited in order to most accurately convey those ideas in my head.  I would love the opportunity to continue creating art for shows or products but knowing myself, I will always also continue to explore all the things that interest me outside of that realm as well.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Art Exhibition at GR2

Waiting – Eishi Takaoka

May 25 – Jun 12, 2013
Opening reception Saturday May 25th 2012, 6:30-10pm

GR2 – 2062 Sawtelle Blvd LA, CA 90025 www.gr2.net 310 445 9276

Giant Robot 2 (GR2) presents: Waiting

Solo exhibition by Eishi Takaoka

We’re not changing a thing.

“Although the sculptures of Eishi Takaoka all portray the same serene expression, their outwardly calm façade belies a world of bottled-up emotions. With nowhere to go, these intense feelings manifest themselves in outlandish formations that sprout out of the top of each figure’s head. The uniquely sculpted heads of Takaoka are rooted in a personal fantasy world that is fueled by the emotional ups and downs of daily life in lower-middle class Japan. He instills his frustration with life in Kagoshima and feelings of isolation into each of the pieces, which are comprised of carved wood painted with raw mineral pigments placed atop empty glass medicine bottles.”

Takaoka’s pieces have been seen in group shows including the Giant Robot Biennale I and III, and on the cover of novelist Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore.

For this exhibition, Takaoka will create new sculptures at Giant Robot 2 in Los Angeles. He is currently attending school in his hometown of Kagoshima, Japan and will not be in Los Angeles for the opening.

For any information:

Eric Nakamura
Giant Robot Owner/Publisher
eric@giantrobot.com
(310) 445-9276

(Youtube link)

I think the figure below has the cutest cat face ever. Who taught this kid how to do the eyes like this? …and green nose? Love it. I could go on about the goodnesses of each piece. There’s something in all of them that I like. Well, most of them, even from the one who couldn’t get a start.

Thanks Kizuna, DKE, OCBC and JANM.

Tons of kids, each with a custom figure.

See how tiny the girl in orange with the pink glasses is? She’s 6 and did a great job with her figure.

One of our closest friends, David Horvath explains how Uglydoll wasn’t just born out of a plush doll, but it’s a process of drawings that aren’t just doodles like what most people would think. Uglydoll is actually born out of stories from own daily lives. The things that happen become situations between characters. It’s much deeper than you’d ever think. I’m proud to have directed David Horvath.

Thanks again to Ashton Kutcher and his Thrash Lab.

Strange Symbiosis

May 4th – May 22, 2013

Four Person Group Exhibition featuring Scott Tolleson, Leecifer, J*Ryu and Aaron Brown

Scott Tolleson (http://www.stolleart.com/)

Leecifer (http://www.leecifer.com/)

J*Ryu (http://www.designpimps.com/)

Aaron Brown 

The world of indie toys and figures have crested and the artists involved are evolving into their own as sculptors, painters, and illustrators while they still do custom figures from time to time. The four involved will demonstrate their development and evolution as fine artists.

For any other information on or about any of the artists or anything else contact Eric Nakamura at Giant Robot.

Strange Symbiosis

May 4th – May 22, 2013

Opening Reception:
Saturday, May 4, 2013
6:30 – 10:00 PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://gr2.net/

eric (at) giantrobot.com
310 445.9276

“ELEVATED” OPEN CALL » 10 SECOND MOBIMOVI

Calling out to video artists for 10 second mobile movies
to be projected in the penthouse level of LoftSEVEN
in conjunction with the downtown rooftop performance of

“NELS CLINE + URBAN AIR : ELEVATED”
featuring Sarah Elgart Kevin Kerslake + special guests
[an intimate evening with the WILCO lead guitarist and friends]

————————–———–

Media and video artists are invited to send videos for a one-night showing of video projections in conjunction with the special performance of Nels Cline + Urban Air “Elevated.”

Selected video footage will be projected onto the walls of LoftSEVEN’s penthouse. The aim is to create an interface connecting viewers and artists, integrating the visual arts and the cityscape. The theme should loosely relate to the “Elevated” performance which will commence on the rooftop during the highlight of the evening. In general, there are no restrictions concerning the theme.

ELIGIBILITY: Any author can participate with a maximum of 3 videos of 10 seconds each. Videos submitted must belong to the category of video art. Innovative and experimental work is encouraged. They should have been created in the last two years, come in as a single-channel version and be copyright controlled by the artist.

CURATED BY: Eric Nakamura + Kio Griffith

EVENT DATE. April 28, 2013 6pm-11pm.

REQUIREMENTS
All submissions should include:

• Artist name
• Title of video
• statement (optional)
• contact information

ARTWORK. Videos should be submitted by file transfer to 10secvid@gmail.com. The length of videos must be edited to 10 seconds. Resolution should be set to HD and at a minimum of 720px preferred. Works can be submitted as video only.

A short biography of the artist is welcomed as well as a brief description of the submitted video also to 10secvid@gmail.com. Please attach 3 still images of the work in jpg with a resolution of not less than 800x600px.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE. Entries must be received by April 25, 2013 . Submissions that arrive after the deadline will not be included. Please do not send files larger than 50MB.

The participant’s submission for entry automatically agrees with the terms of the present call. It also certifies that the entrant is the legal owner of the work.

Out of the Films

April 27 – May 2, 2013 – ONE WEEK EXHIBITION 

A solo exhibition of works by director, Iwai Shunji.

“Generally, people call me a Director or Filmmaker. However I feel like I’m just a kid who’s having fun. I like drawing, taking photos, writing novels and composing music. This time, I focused on pictures I drew. Please enjoy them.”

The exhibition will feature some story board art, drawn by Iwai as well as some of his photographs. Iwai Shunji is scheduled to appear in person at the exhibition reception.

For any other information on or about the artist or anything else contact Eric Nakamura at Giant Robot.

IWAI SHUNJI – Out of the Films

April 27 – May 2, 2013 – ONE WEEK EXHIBITION 

Opening Reception:
Saturday, April 27, 2013
6:30 – 10:00 PM
GR2
2062 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles CA 90025
http://gr2.net/

eric (at) giantrobot.com

That’s a portrait of myself with Luke Chueh. The pieces we’re reflected in is a beautiful metallic sculpture. Yes it has KAWS like eyes. Maybe they really are KAWS eyes, but it would be funny if it’s Murakami doing a KAWS, right back at him. 

Art by Mark Todd and Matt Furie are online now! We’ll make every effort to get James Kochalka’s 143 pieces online today by 5pm. (Giant Robot – Facial Recognition)

It was fun shooting Edwin Ushiro who is equally entertaining. His interview reveals that his recent work is about small regrets from his past. From Elementary, middle and high school in Hawaii. He makes it perfect in his art. The interview took place at his home studio in Culver City.

Thanks to Thrash Lab for this fourth video of the six. Thanks to Goh Nakamura for the music, Anthony Batt for the vision, Ashton Kutcher for the channel and tripod, Thrash Lab staff for the Post, Tony Sugano for the extra hand and Edwin for the interview.

That’s Matt Furie, Jeremy Fish, and Albert Reyes.

James Kochalka and frequent GR2 visitor, Flora.

Mark Todd and Crew, many are his students!

more pics below.

That’s Matt Furie and Aiyana Udesen measuring out the wall. Mark Todd… where are you?!