GR2 April 7 – May 2 Art Exhibition – They Are Us – Ako Castuera

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Art Exhibition at GR2

They Are Us – New Work by Ako Castuera

April 7 – May 2, 2012
Opening reception Saturday April 7th 2012, 6:30-10pm

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

Giant Robot 2 (GR2) presents: They Are Us

Solo exhibition by Ako Castuera

Ako Castuera often shows at Giant Robot in group exhibitions. This will be her first solo effort at Giant Robot. Castuera’s work involves a look into the past which has brought us into the present. Along with her sweeping watercolor hills and valleys are dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Castuera relays their significance as a dreaming point as well as their contribution in our ecosystem. Also in this exhibition will be sculptural work also depicting prehistoric animals captured in a modernistic style. Castuera’s work is colorful, dreamy and captures a concept that explains who we are and where we came from.

Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles as well as an online equivalent.

Eric Nakamura
Giant Robot Owner/Publisher
eric@giantrobot.com
(310) 479-7311

Giant Robot Game Night 9 Photos: Abobo’s + Dustforce

(more…)

GR2 Diversions Video – French

French at GR2. He recorded a video for us to talk about his favorite metal albums. Meanwhile check out his art at GR2

Giant Robot Time: 3.23.12 – Game Night 9 is this Saturday at Giant Robot 2

SEAN CHAO LEAF DRIFTING		FERICFEROLOGY . I		FRENCHSKULL TURTLE
MEAT BUN REAL SOVIET DAMAGE PRINT		MONYO MONYOUNTITLED VEST		PAUL ROBERTSON CATS

COMICS		OFFICE SUPPLIES		ACCESSORIES
APPAREL		VINYL TOYS		+ SALE ITEMS

PAUL ROBERTSON VIOLENT STORM Measures 29.75″ X 17″ unframed, digital print on paper, open edition and will be signed by artist at the end of the show!
MOMIJI + HELLO KITTYASTRID New collaboration between Hello Kitty and Momiji dolls! Momiji are message dolls. Turn them upside down and inside you’ll find a teeny tiny card, perfect for writing messages and sharing secrets.		MARGARET KILGALLEN BOOKIN THE SWEET BYE AND BYE This is the catalogue accompanying the show at REDCAT, designed by Michael Worthington and Jon Sueda documenting and contextualizing the hundreds of works the artist produced during her prolific career.
HELLO KITTY CERAMIC CLOCK New from Sanrio! Wake up with classic Hello Kitty! These ceramic Hello Kitty figures have a clock embedded into its exterior. Comes in your choice of Blue or Red!		DECOR CRAFTMINI MAGNET SET (SCOTTIE) Adorable animal magnets from Decor Craft! 6 pieces in the set made of hard plastic.

AKO CASTUERA SOLO EXHIBITION – APRIL 7THBy ERIC NAKAMURA Here’s a short film about Ako Castuera. She will be a having a solo exhibition at Giant Robot 2 beginning April 7th. I’ve known Ako for many years, and actually met her at her Art’s Crab Shack days in Oakland, CA in the mid-later 90s while she was enrolled at CCAC. She’s married to artist, Rob Sato and pursues work that involves nature, humans, and dinosaurs. Often using watercolors, she’s also a knitter and makes beautiful tapestry pieces.
MOTHERFUCKERLAND: INSTALLMENT 10By ED LIN Read author Ed Lin’s new serial novel, Motherfuckerland. Lin, who is of Taiwanese and Chinese descent, is the first author to win three Asian American Literary Awards. His latest book, One Red Bastard, will be published by Minotaur in April 2012.		NEW MUSIC REVIEWS: JULIA HOLTER, MELVINS, UNSANEBy MARTIN WONG No, it isn’t necessary to make the pilgrimage/business trip to SXSW to dig new sounds or catch up with old faves. Here are some recent releases that I love–all with some sort of connection to Giant Robot.
GIANT ROBOT ON FOX 11 – REGARDING CENSUS RESULTSBy ERIC NAKAMURA Fox rolled through Sawtelle and GR2 and Hal Eisner, well known newsman on Fox in LA for 30 years interviewed me about the census results. Asians are the largest growing group.		GR INTERVIEW: ARTIST PAUL ROBERTSONBy GIANT ROBOT NEWS Paul Robertson is a quiet individual who’s imagery is as powerful and iconic as any digital artist. He’s from Australia, yet might be best known for his work on the Scott Pilgrim video game. With one look at his art and then the game, it’s obvious. Robertson’s art style echoes that of games of yesteryear, yet the subject matter has both retro elements and iconography yet is filled with cyber energy and excitement.
GR INTERVIEW: DAVID GELB – DIRECTOR OF JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHIBy GIANT ROBOT NEWS GR interviewed David Gelb a while back about this film. Imagine a person who strives for perfection. It doesn’t have to be in food, it could be anything. Searching for it and finding it is a rare thing, and Jiro has done that. The film is stunning, seriously, and it’s opening up nation wide now!		GR GAME REVIEW: ZUMA’S REVENGE DSBy ROBERT BRUCE Robert Bruce is a special guest reviewer from our close friends, Angry Bananas.
GR2: RISOGRAPH WORKSHOP PHOTOSBy GIANT ROBOT NEWS Thank you to the attendees and Never Press for a great workshop. See the results.		WONDERCON 2012 PHOTOSBy GIANT ROBOT NEWS View Dean Gojobori’s photos from this year’s WonderCon held in Anaheim, California.

Giant Robot on Fox 11 – About the Census Results

Fox rolled through Sawtelle and GR2 and Hal Eisner, well known newsman on Fox in LA for 30 years interviewed me about the census results. Asians are the largest growing group. I didn’t know and oops I said “ethnicity.” Esiner was at first talking specifically about Japanese, but it’s actually an overall. Yes, I know the difference between ethnicity and race. That said, great publicity for Giant Robot. Census results and Giant Robot. Yes it all matches up.

Asian Population Spikes, Latino Population Drops: MyFoxLA.com

Diversions in Things to Do in LA and Tiny Cartridge

Thanks, Things to Do in LA for the nice write up on Diversions and promoting Game Night.

Also thanks to Tiny Cartridge!

GR Interview: Artist Paul Robertson

Paul Robertson is a quiet individual who’s imagery is as powerful and iconic as any digital artist. He’s from Australia, yet might be best known for his work on the Scott Pilgrim video game. With one look at his art and then the game, it’s obvious. Robertson’s art style echoes that of games of yesteryear, yet the subject matter has both retro elements and iconography yet is filled with cyber energy and excitement. His current work at Giant Robot 2 is a series of prints in Diversions.

GR: Your work has a 8 bit feel. Is that too trite of a thing to say about your work? Or is it 16bit?

PR: I don’t think it’s fair to call it 8 bit or 16 bit, it seems like those terms are thrown around alot without knowing what they actually mean. I’d say I just work in pixels and usually low colour pallettes. 

GR: Can you explain the process by which you create art?

PR: When I have an idea for something I’ll sketch it down on paper, or a rough pixel sketch first. Then I’ll just gradually pixel over it, edit things here and there, and push things around until it doesn’t look terrible. I don’t think I’m a natually good drawer so I always do a lot of editing and adjusting. Pixel art is pretty accomadating for this kindof method.

GR: Is there a scene of artists or audience for your work in Australia?

PR: I have no idea. I’m not really into any artist “scenes” in australia. I think my work is mostly known online.

(more…)

GR2: Risograph Workshop Photos

(more…)

Streaming the Risograph Workshop

Free desktop streaming application by Ustream

Streaming the Risograph workshop, and also stop by GR1.

Monyo Monyo Masks in Beatique

Blog post about Monyo Monyo’s Masks at GR2 with complete photos. Thanks again Liz Ohanesian (Beatique – Monyo)

LA Weekly – Paul Robertson Interview

Thanks to Liz Ohanesian for the support of GR2. Read it at the link. (LA Weekly – Paul Robertson)

Giant Robot Time: 3.16.12 – RISOGRAPH Printing Workshop this Sunday at GR2!

 

 

DIVERSIONS

MARCH 10 – APRIL 4

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

MONYO MONYO, JUDE BUFFUM, PAUL ROBERTSON,

FERIC, MEAT BUN, FRENCH, SEAN CHAO

We all have interests that takes us away. Our postcard image by Australian artist Paul Robertson is hyper dense and 8-bit influenced. Jude Buffum from Philadelphia crosses 8-bit art and social and pop culture commentary. Monyo Monyo from Japan creates wearable masks that are furry and powerful. Feric from Taiwan is known for his delicate and cyber-detailed pieces. Originally from Taiwan but now a resident of Los Angeles, Sean Chao creates astonishing dioramic worlds. French from England evokes metal music and its iconography. Meat Bun, our comrades from multiple pop up shops and Game Night events will display some of their iconic work. In attendance for the opening will be Paul Robertson, Sean Chao and the trio who make Meat Bun. View the exhibit.

 

SEAN CHAO LEAF DRIFTING		FERIC FEROLOGY III
FRENCH SEPTAGRAM		JUDE BUFFUM HYLIA MACROCOSMICA
MEAT BUN BEAUTIFUL SPRING PRINT		MONYO MONYO UNTITLED MASKS
PAUL ROBERTSON KINGS		PAUL ROBERTSON UNIVERSE PARTY 2

VIEW THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT

 

(more…)

GR2 March 24 7-10p Sat – Game Night 9 – Abobo’s Big Adventure + Dustforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Game Night 9 at Giant Robot 2

Game Night 9 – I-Mockery’s Abobo’s Big Adventure and Hitbox Team’s Dustforce
Saturday, March 24 2012, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Giant Robot 2
2062 Sawtelle Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025
gr2.net (310) 445-9276

In conjunction with the Attract Mode, Meat Bun apparel, Angry Bananas, and LA Game Space, Giant Robot is proud to host Game Night 9, an event that takes place at GR2 about every two months. For this eighth installment, we are featuring two games: Abobo’s Big Adventure and Hitbox Team’s Dustforce.

Abobo’s Big Adventure features hardcore 8 Bit action and Dustforce is a beautiful yet challenging platform. Games are free and fun to play. Also bring your Nintendo 3DS for StreetPass action.

Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based publication about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles.

Game Night 9 will take place on Saturday, March 24th 2012, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.

For more information about Game Night, GR2, or Giant Robot magazine, please contact:

Eric Nakamura
Giant Robot Owner/Publisher
eric@giantrobot.com
(310) 479-7311

Mighty Switch Force Thanks!

Getting a shout out in a video game is always special since how often is this going to happen for us? Thanks to the folks at Wayforward Games. They’re a cool bunch of fellas who do a great service to games both in and out of LA. Here’s the photo set from our past Game Night with them.

GR2 Diversions Paul Robertson Prints Available

Paul Robertson and the rest of the works are available here.

Giant Robot 2 – Diversions – Streaming Live

Streaming by Ustream

GR2 – Diversions – Feric

GR2 Sun Mar. 18 1-6pm RISOGRAPH Workshop with Never Press

Yes, Never Press are bringing an actual RISOGRAPH machine into GR2. You can learn how to make prints that look like silkscreens in multi-colors. Yes, there’s a donation of $3 or more for the materials. This stuff costs. But bring what you’re interested in printing, and of course if it’s in multi colors, bring the layers of pages. You’ll be able to create imagery to print on the spot as well. It’s 1-6pm, no you don’t have to be here the entire day!

GR Time 3.2.12 – Catch the Latest Giant Robot Info!

DIVERSIONS

MARCH 10 – APRIL 4

RECEPTION: SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 6:30-10PM

MONYO MONYO, JUDE BUFFUM, PAUL ROBERTSON,

FERIC, MEAT BUN, FRENCH, SEAN CHAO

We all have interests that takes us away. Our postcard image by Australian artist Paul Robertson which hyper dense and 8-bit influenced. Jude Buffum from Philadelphia crosses 8-bit art and social and pop culture commentary. Monyo Monyo from Japan creates wearable masks that are furry and powerful. Feric from Taiwan is known for his delicate and cyber-detailed pieces. Originally from Taiwan but now a resident of Los Angeles, Sean Chao creates astonishing dioramic worlds. French from England evokes metal music and its iconography. Meat Bun, our comrades from multiple pop up shops and Game Night events will display some of their iconic work. In attendance for the opening will be Paul Robertson, Sean Chao and the trio who make Meat Bun.

We’ll also have a Game Night – March 24th 6-10pm also at GR2.

HELLO SPRING!

FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 7

NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

APAK, ULISES FARINAS, RENEE FRENCH, PAMELA HENDERSON,

ALBERT REYES, ERIKA YAMASHIRO

APAK TADAIMA		ULISES FARINAS ELORGO
RENEE FRENCH MISS 88		PAMELA HENDERSON RAINBOW BRIGHT EYES
ALBERT REYES UNTITLED		ERIKA YAMASHIRO CROWN

 

VIEW THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT

YEAR OF THE DRAGON		PRINTED MATTER 10

APPAREL		BOOKS		FOR HOME
TOYS		PRINTS		+ MORE

 

---

NEW AND FEATURED FOR MARCH

ALBERT REYES PIT BULL PRINT		UGLYDOLL TIN TRUCK + COIN BANK
Albert Reyes shows his tough side in this Pit Bull print. Classic Reyes imagery.		Uglydoll brings its quirky characters to its series of classic tin toys. Functional, free wheeling trucks can keep your coins safe and in one place.
UGLYDOLL TIN KEEPSAKE BOX		KOZYNDAN AUDIENCE PRINT
It looks like a lunch box. Hey, could be! Or you can use it to store your secret files and mementos.		Detail view. New wallet friendly but not wallet sized prints from illustration duo Kozydan.
MOMIJI DOLL BIBI BUTTON / LORELI LOVE		WIND-UP SPACE ROBOT
Turn them upside down and inside you’ll find a teeny tiny card, perfect for writing messages.		From the depths of deep, dark outer space! Wind up the Space Robot to make him walk!

ANIMAL STYLE – FILM PROGRAM By MARTIN WONG The first section showcases independent films and shorts made by Asian American skateboarders without financial backing from the action sports industry or the benefit of corporate screenings and festivals. The latter half features skating in Asia by Asians with local twists from Hong Kong and Bangkok.		MOTHERFUCKERLAND: INSTALLMENT 7 By ED LIN Read this week’s installment of Ed Lin’s serialized novel. All installments to date are available and we are about a quarter of the way through.
MONGOLIAN LUNAR NEW YEAR By MICHELLE BOROK “The holiday is about more than starting a new year right, it’s about family coming together, and in a country where family can be far flung, the importance of coming together is honored.”		CHOW-YUN FAT IN JIANG WEN’S LET THE BULLETS FLY By MARTIN WONG With all of the polish and scale of a modern Chinese blockbuster but none of the pretense or clumsiness, Let The Bullets Fly is as fun to watch as it is stylish and epic. Opens in the U.S. on March 2nd.

Giant Robot Time: 2.24.12 – Hello Spring! artwork now available online

HELLO SPRING! FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 7 NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE APAK, Ulises Farinas, Renee French, Pamela Henderson, Albert Reyes, Erika Yamashiro The Giant Robot 2 (GR2) presents: Hello Spring! Spring is upon us and mysterious, whimsical, and even gritty fits the artists. ALBERT REYESUNTITLED ERIKA YAMASHIRO VORTEX PAMELA HENDERSON THE FLOWER EATER RENEE FRENCH MOTHASIS ULISES FARINASTHE GRIMELF’S SWAMP APAK NATURES MELODY   VIEW THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT (more…)