janm

To most, Giant Robot Biennale 3 at JANM is simply the biggest, best group show that an indie artist can be associated with. It isn’t very often that pop-rooted, independent fine artists (Asian or not) are given a top-shelf venue to gather and shine. Eric does a rad job of cultivating this scene, and has built up a real family of artists in the process. I am really proud to have worked with him on the magazine that has showcased so many of them.

So as the end of publication nears its two year mark, attending the opening felt a lot like a family reunion to me. I hardly get out to Sawtelle these days, and see Eric and the artists pretty rarely. So while it was especially cool to see the amazing art on the first day (such as the sculpture by Ako Castuera, above) it was just as rad to see so many people that I have grown close to (like the Big Boss Robot and his family, below).

Okay, it’s not like I knew everyone there. After I answered the person who checked me in that I was with four guests instead of one, she looked annoyed and asked, “Are you an artist?” No, but I quickly took the stickers for my wife Wendy (who designed GR mags 18-68), daughter Eloise, niece Lucia, and cousin visiting from New Zealand and moved on.

Right after the opening remarks by Eric and JANM representatives, Wendy and I saw our friends Susie Ghahremani and Michael Esten. They drove up from San Diego in time for the Chickfactor concert and stuck around to see Susie’s customs in the opening! (more…)

Article about the Giant Robot Biennale 3 by Liz Ohanesian. Thank you much.

Luke Chueh: “”I really believe that Giant Robot helped promote that the fact that there is more to this scene than the Japanese Superflat artists,” says Chueh, referencing artist Murakami and like-minded artists in Japan.” (LA Weekly – Biennale 3)

Koji Sakai, Clement Hanami, Greg Kimura, myself.

Money Mark and Clement Hanami

David Choe and Money Mark

Deth P Sun art.

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That’s Deth P Sun and Marci Washington

Rob Sato and family. That’s Ako Castuera in gold

That’s Mr and Mrs Choe!

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Here’s photo set 1. I’ll get to writing later on. This set is by Dean Gojobori who helped throughout the exhibition. People enter Albert Reyes “maze” downstairs.

That’s my introducing Rob Sato and Ako Castuera.

The Queens Court. Thanks for coming through.

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Photos by Dean Gojobori

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The banner is getting installed, but after finding a few snags in the print out, it’s all getting redone. Damn. So close, but not close enough. It’s a good looking wall.

Eishi Takaoka sculpture. The light was dim, so the photo is too.

Lynn Yamasaki… she made GR Jello. Those are Big Boss Robots in there. Seriously great and they taste great too.

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Money Mark LIVE at the Giant Robot Biennale. 7:30pm.

Check out this Music video done by our friends at Logan.

(Money Mark)

From a few days ago. In progress and I was only allowed to show this wide.

That’s Saelee and Ako

That’s Albert Reyes in progress

That’s the customs portion being worked on.

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Mr Luke Rook. Another gem. It’s great to have so many from so far away doing projects for this exhibition. Hopefully it brings us just a little bit closer.

A Little Stranger - Monster of the Mariana Trench.

GID?! We’ll find out.

Known sometimes as J-Led, Joe Ledbetter is a favorite of many. This is his piece for the Biennale Remix Project.

When it was time to create an image or look for the exhibition. I turned to an artist who shows at GR. She has great graphics and art skill and it was the coolest way to go. Sara Saedi. We went through a few drafts to get the idea right. Maybe one day I’ll show you the rejects! But overall it’s pretty much what I had in mind and it came out clean. It looks like her work too! Opening night Sept 22.

Holy smokes! Artist Nathan Ota turned in something beyond exciting. We can’t wait to display this one!

Great work Miso! Front and back image. Awesome work on the three UMA figures. Miso is the only one who worked on all three.

KFGU Mothman and Big Boss Robot by Valerie Gudell who will be in person at the Biennale Opening night. See the Facebook page for the Remix Project at JANM.

I’ve seen better days, but this isn’t not about me. This is about Giant Robot Biennale 3 which is coming up in under two weeks. Long time GR friend Darryl Mori sent me some difficult questions and here’s the article about the event. (Discover Nikkei – GRB3)

Here’s a video to tell you about the exhibition. I’m glad I didn’t ramble too much. It’s nicely done and it’ll show in the theater during the duration of the exhibition. Thanks to the crew at JANM who worked on this and make plans to come Saturday 6-10pm on September 22 at JANM.

Here’s the link to the video.

That’s Rob Sato below!

Giant Robot JANM Remix Project: David Horvath/Uglydoll and Giant Robot Big Boss Robot Figures

The Roster of Artists for the project: 

64 Colors, A Little Stranger, Aaron Brown, Angry Woebots, Arbito, Atsushi Honda, Aya Kakeda, Bert Gatchalian, Betso, Bigfoot, Brent Nolasco, Bwana Spoons, Camilla d’Errico, Chuckboy, Clement Hanami, Cris Rose, D-Lux, Darth Rimmer, David Horvath, Yukinori Dehara, DrilOne, Edwin Ushiro, Elizabeth Ito, Fakir, Frank Mysterio, Gary Ham, Harpoon, Helena Garcia, J*Ryu, Jason Limon, Jeff Lamm, Jeni Yang, Jeremiah Ketner, Jesse Hernandez, Joe Hahn, Joe Ledbetter, Josh Herbolsheimer, Julie West, kaNO, Kat Brunegraff, Kio Griffith, Kiyoshi, Kohei Yamashita, Koji Harmon, Leecifer, Le Merde, Len Higa, Lou Pimentel, Luke Chueh, Luke Rook, Lunabee, Mari Inukai, Mark Nagata, Martin Hsu, Meat Bun, Miso, Nakanari, Nathan Ota, Nebulon5, Nick Arciaga, Noferin, Okkle, Oliver Hibert, Bob Conge – Plaseebo, Podgy Panda, Reactor 88, Rohby, Sarah Neyhart, Scott Tolleson, Scott Wilkowski, Shane Jessup, Shawnimals, Danni Shinya Luo, Spanky Stokes, Spencer Hibert, Squink!, Stasia Burrington, Susie Ghahremani, Tado, Tara Logsdon, Tiffany Liu, Tristan Eaton, UAMOU, Valerie Gudell, YoskayYamamoto.

Cris Rose – work in progress

Squink! - work in progress

Bob Conge – Plaseebo – Completed.

Thanks much Toysrevil. One of the first pieces of press for the Giant Robot Biennale 3, and they did it on their own and even found the only two photos we’ve seen until recently. We’re adding the Bob Conge / Plaseebo photos. Yes it lights up too. Thanks for the kind words. (Toysrevil – Biennale 3)