giant robot

LA Weekly write up on David Horvath Sun-min Kim and Uglydoll. It’s still an amazing ride that they’re taking. From a walk in at the shop to still going strong. They’re solid Angelinos. I’m glad to be part of the history and it’s amazing that people walk in to the store and mention the story back. It matters to many, and that’s why we keep stocking Uglydoll at GR – and it’s why we often get olds and ends that the other shops don’t. It’s only fair. The story is now 11 years old and continues on, since it happened.

Here’s an except as written by Gendy Alimurung

“Kim sewed that drawing into a doll made of soft felt and mailed it to Horvath. It had a simple, funny charm. When he received it he was so excited, he wanted to call her. But it was nighttime in Korea. Instead he ran over to visit his friend Eric Nakamura, who had just opened the store Giant Robot on Sawtelle in West L.A. “OK,” said Nakamura, examining the doll, “I’ll take 20.”

“He thought I was pitching a product,” Horvath recalls.

Kim sewed the dolls. Those initial 20 sold out in one day. “I was horrified,” Horvath says. “We were going to send people there to look at them. It didn’t make sense.” But Nakamura ordered 20 more. Then 40 more.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Art Exhibition at GR2

Game Over

Video Game Culture Art Exhibition

June 2 -  June 27, 2012
Opening reception Saturday June 2th 2012, 6:30-10pm

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

Giant Robot 2 (GR2) presents: Game Over

Video Game Culture Art Exhibition

Artists include:

Aaron Brown, Albert Reyes, Alex Chiu, Ana Serrano, Andrice Arp, Aska Iida, Bradford Lynn, Brian Luong, Bryan Wong, Bubi Au Yeung, Cam Floyd, Carlos Donjuan, Christopher Chan, Cory Schmitz, David Horvath, Devin McGrath, Elizabeth Ito, Elliot Brown, Eric Broers, Erin Althea, Gabe Gonzales, Gary Musgrave, Grant Reynolds, Heidi Woan, James Chong, James Kochalka, Jarrett Quon, Jay Horinouchi, Jeni Yang, Jeremiah La Torre, Jeremy Tinder, Jeremyville, Jeromy Velasco, Jesse Balmer, Jesse Fillingham, Jesse LeDoux, Jesse Moynihan, Jesse Reklaw, Jesse Tise, Jiyoung Moon, John Lau, Kerry Horvath, Kevin Luong, Kio Griffith, Kwanchai Moriya, Lawrence Yang, Linda Kim, Louise Chen, Luke Chueh, Luke Rook, Maiko Kanno, Mare Odomo, Mari Inukai, Mark Ingram, Martin Hsu, Matt Furie, Meatbun, Miso, Nick Arciaga, Patrick Kyle, Peter Kato, Philip Koscak, Renee French, Sana Park, Sara Saedi, Sarah Lee, Sean Chao, Shawn Cheng, Shiho Nakaza, Shihori Nakayama, Sidney Pink, Silvio Porretta, Stasia Burrington, Stephanie Kubo, Theo Ellsworth, Tru Nguyen, Yejin Oh, Yoskay Yamamoto, Yumi Sakugawa and more.

Also there will be playable indie games including the works of programmers Beau Blythe and Shelby Cinca who are creating a game with Sean Chao and Jeni Yang. It’ll be a welcome back to ArtxGames series.

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

What’s a gallery supposed to do when an artist can’t make it? We’ve had that issue in the past but this time, we did something creative with it. Eishi Takaoka isn’t the most talkative but across the world at his house in Kagoshima, Japan, he joined his solo effort at Giant Robot 2 – I Am Fine. He spoke to visitors as if he was there using Skype video with HD cams. He answered questions with some translation help from Google Translator, our friends Kio and Shihori. (The art is available here.)

Eishi Takaoka provided us with some photos of his pieces right from his work space.

Ako Castuera’s THEY ARE US exhibition continues. There’s plenty of great works still available. All the unsolds are sorted in this link. Since there’s so many pieces and it’s hard to tell, we sorted them for you. Search term: Ako Unsold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Art Exhibition at GR2

I Am Fine – Eishi Takaoka

May 5 – May 30, 2012
Opening reception Saturday May 5th 2012, 6:30-10pm

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

Giant Robot 2 (GR2) presents: I Am Fine

Solo exhibition by Eishi Takaoka

Eishi Takaoka’s work is coming back. 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 in Tokyo and New York, one-person exhibitions at Giant Robot New York and GR2 in Los Angeles, and on the cover of novelist Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore.

For this exhibition, Takaoka will create 34 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.

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

Lengthy Anna Anthropy Article. We worked with her and Saelee Oh to make Octopounce for a previous Game Over Exhibition. She’s made 70 games! Congrats! (Capital NY – Anna Anthropy)

Los Angeles I’m Yours Interview is a bit generous with the title: The Ability To Do Everything: An Interview With Eric Nakamura. Nice photos and nice job. Thanks much fellas. It’s an honor.

Eric Nakamura is one of those people who will talk to anyone. He’s extremely approachable, extremely nice, and extremely talented. He can do just about anything too, from running a successful store to a….. (LAI’mYours – Eric Nakamura)

The idea of a cash mob sounds just as great as a flash mob. Imagine, people pooling together to shop at a single place that might not get their business at all in a year. It might only last an hour, but that hour might help out a shop for a week. Yes, maybe you’re not getting that exact brand or it might even cost a bit more, but the extra money spent is the same as a single beer that you drink at an expensive bar and you probably pound down 3 or 4. That designer truck taco that you eat standing up in the cold, the expensive single slice of pizza (and you eat 2), all this is money that one can say you’re wasting. Shop local. Instead of Walgreens, KMart, Target, or Burger King, why not for an hour, pool together with friends and go somewhere else just for an hour. (Palo Alto Online – Cash Mob)

Greetings from Chicago

Tim Hugh, one man bandleader of the Chicago Asian American Film Festival

This is Tim Hugh and his dog Helga in his kitchen in Chicago. Tim has run the only Asian American Indie Film Fest (i.e. no “imports”) for 12 of the 17 years that it’s been in existence. In this picture, he’s a one man bandleader- running it solo, something I can relate to as a solo musician. I’m in town to promote my film “Daylight Savings” which premiered at SXSW this year, and will be the opening night film this year. Joining me at the screening will be Michael Aki who plays my cousin in the film. I met Mike at this very festival in 2010 when he was showing his films Sunsets that he directed with Eric Nakamura, and his Film Noir tribute “Strangers”

I asked Tim a bunch of questions:

Goh: Why is this festival important?

Tim: It’s one of the only festivals that shows only Asian American films; produced, directed and/or about the Asian American experience. In the midwest more so than the coastal states, you’re constantly asked that stupid question “Where are you from?”… so it’s important to help define what being Asian and American is.

I’m a fourth generation Chinese American. In the midwest, it’s usually under the assumption that you’re just “Asian”… and not “Asian American.” When I see Causasian people I don’t ask them “are you from Poland? are you European?” I just see them for who they are, not what they look like.

Goh: How did you get involved in the festival?

Tim: I was just a fan of the band Seam, and Sooyoung Park, Ben Kim and Billy Shin started the festival in 1995 after they released the Ear of the Dragon CD, which was the first Asian American Rock Compliation. I’d always go and watch everything I could. I’d never seen films like this before; Asian American characters that spoke like me; the actors weren’t forced to speak with a bad accent. I could relate to these images and characters that I was seeing at this festival.

I became obsessed and would watch everything I could, whether it be a feature, documentary, or shorts program. I just wanted to see as much as I could, because I knew I’d never get a chance to see these movies again. Plus, being able to meet the directors and hear them speak about their films was one of the coolest things for me. I remember hanging out with Justin Lin, back when he was just a shorts director.

They noticed me being there year after year, and began to recognize me. Eventually, they would ask me to do little things like hand out program booklets, take tickets, watch the table, and take pictures during the Q&A’s. Basically, I became a volunteer. I remember standing there back in the day giving out Giant Robot magazines!

(more…)

Ako Castuera Art Preview Images

If you want to get to the Ustream page, it’s here. 7-10pm pst.

Live broadcasting by Ustream

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

(more…)

Streaming by Ustream

Giant Robot Time: 3.9.12 – Diversions art exhibition opens this Saturday night at Giant Robot 2

 

DIVERSIONS

MARCH 10 – APRIL 4

RECEPTION: THIS 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 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 sample artwork.

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

 

 

 

RISOGRAPH PRINTING WORKSHOP

W/ NEVER PRESS

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 1PM-6PM

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!

 

 

HELLO SPRING!

FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 7

APAK, ULISES FARINAS, RENEE FRENCH, PAMELA HENDERSON,

ALBERT REYES, ERIKA YAMASHIRO

 

APAK TREE HOUSE MAMA		ULISES FARINAS BLOTO
RENEE FRENCH ELISE		PAMELA HENDERSON UNI CARNIVORE
ALBERT REYES UNTITLED		ERIKA YAMASHIRO RECLINING BUDDHA

 

VIEW THE ENTIRE EXHIBIT

 

APPAREL		TOYS		IN PRINT
HOUSEWARES		CD’S / DVD’S		+ MORE

 

---

 

NEW AND FEATURED FOR MARCH

ENFU MIXED SIGNALS PRINT Detail view. Life is more interesting with these signs around. Especially if it’s on your wall.		ENFU NIKO NIKO BOY PRINT Detail view. The delivery truck busts open and brings us joy! Colors, candy and delicious foods for you.
UGLYDOLL TIN TRUCK + COIN BANK 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 WIND-UP TIN ROBOT The inevitable has happened! Uglydolls have made robots of their own! These wind-up tin robots feature your favorite Uglydolls behind the controls.
UGLYDOLL TRUNKO PILLOW Should you ever decide to go ahead and sit on your couch to watch something on the old VCR, be sure to have one around to keep the large space between you and the next person seem less obvious!		LINSPIRATION / LINSANITY WRISTBAND Jeremy Lin has created quite a stir. He is a Linspiration to all underdogs! Get this soft rubber wristband to show your support.

 

 

DIVERSIONS PREVIEW IMAGES: MONYO MONYO By GIANT ROBOT NEWS Original masks by Monyo Monyo pictured above. Diversions opens this Saturday evening at the new Giant Robot 2.		MOTHERFUCKERLAND: INSTALLMENT 8 By ED LIN Read this week’s installment of Ed Lin’s serialized novel. All installments to date are available and we are a third of the way through.
BOOK REVIEW: DATABASE ANIMALS By BRETT FUJIOKA Hiroki Azuma’s Otaku: Japan’s Database Animals. Azuma analyzes and explains the phenomena of Japan’s most notorious caste of social pariahs: the Otaku.		THE ECLIPSE ALSO RISES By BRETT FUJIOKA “We’re really fighting the root cause of structural racism within Japan because that’s the only way we can really bring resolution to what has perpetrated this subjucation of Zainichi[…]”

30TH SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL

MARCH 8 – MARCH 18

FEATURED SCREENING:

SURROGATE VALENTINE 2: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

DAVE BOYLE / 2012 / WORLD PREMIERE

MARCH 11, 9:30PM

In this sequel to last year’s Closing Night hit Surrogate Valentine, floundering indie rocker “Goh” (SF stalwart Goh Nakamura) returns, scoring soul-crushing commercials for cash and ready to embark on the “biggest tour of his life.” On his way home from a show in LA, though, everything goes sideways when his longtime girlfriend breaks up with him… over Skype. Unsure of where he belongs outside her arms, the perpetually lovelorn Goh spends his post-breakup days in a haze, botching interviews and even sleepwalking through a visit from his former crush Rachael (the lovely Lynn Chen). More info.