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Shintaro Ohata graces the cover of Giant Robot 65. The interview was conducted at Yukari Art who’s putting on another exhibition of his work. His paintings are comprised of great paint strokes, and he depicts Tokyo just as I’ve seen it and felt it many times. He actually captures one of the exact reasons why I love being there. I haven’t tried to spell it out, but his works might be one of the best explanations. I’d like to chill out on a rail overlooking the town with my cat. He mostly depicts females, so I guess I’ll never be a subject of his work. You probably thought this was a painting, but it’s actually a sculpture in front of a painting. ’2′ mixed media H91xW116.7xD35cm Ohata has multiple styles, from the sculptural painting, to the piece above which has elements of reality. He captures the best parts of the day in every painting. What is she feeling and thinking exactly? I can guess. I feel this too. Can you? (Tomorrow – acrylic on canvas 91×116.7cm) Then he has this style, which includes a slightly cartoonish character. The sunspots make this cool. (‘Stopover’acrylic on canvas 80.5×116.5cm) That’s myself and Shintaro Ohata.
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Inés Estrada is an artist from Mexico City. Her works display a strong array of color and at the same time possesses a gentleness. She has an indie spirit and with her boyfriend Roi, they are Cafe Con Leche. They make zines and keep their creative energies flowing. She’s part of Blithe Spirits exhibition at Giant Robot 2 along with Sean Chao (who’s words will make it here soon). We’re proud to publish a few words with her and hope you get to know her, a bit about Mexico City, and her works a little better. Hopefully one day soon, we’ll get to meet her. Cafe Con Leche and Inés Estrada. Preview Images from Blithe Spirits. GR: Not a lot of people in the US know about artists from Mexico, can you talk about your area and what your art community is like? IE: I live in Mexico City, which is the biggest city in the world. It is pretty crazy and there’s always something happening. Though there are people doing things here, it mostly seems like we’re all isolated. The art scene in Mexico is really spread out, so I have a couple of artist friends, but most of them live in other states. That’s what I would consider my art community… and all my friends from other countries. I think most of the popular Mexican artists in Mexico do graffiti or come from a street art background. That’s what’s really hip here right now, and there’s a bunch of people doing really great stuff in the medium. I’m more of an indoor, small notebook cartoonist kind of person, so I don’t interact with them as much as I’d like. GR: Is there an audience for comics and zines in Mexico? IE: Comics in Mexico are mostly seen as “garbage literature”, like something only kids or construction workers should read. So, that said, there isn’t a really big audience for alternative comics, and I think it’s mostly because people don’t know they even exist. Manga has become quite popular in the last decade, but there’s still a lot left for other kind of comics to be introduced. GR: Your work often has people in them, can you talk about what they are doing? IE: I think most of the people I draw are usually in a state of contemplation. I don’t usually know beforehand what do I want to paint or if I want to say something with it, so this reply is something I came up with right now. You could see them doing something different and it could be possible too. GR: It seems like there’s some fantasy, but can you explain a bit about the people who sit and often have things growing from them? IE: Most of the characters I draw, I picture them in my head as little gods. This little gods all exist by themselves in their own universe and at the same time are all related and live intertwined. The things growing could be sprouting...
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Are you yearning for some urning? (Coca-Cola Urn by Ai Weiwei) Do you live in New York City and have you been dying to see Artfarm upstate in Salt Point, N.Y., which was commissioned from HHF Architects and renowned Chinese artist/architect, Ai Weiwei, in 2006? Well, my carless and careless New Yorkers, I think you should heavily consider taking the daytrip planned by Museum of Chinese in America! It’s this Sunday! Sun, Jun 12 from 11am – 5pm Escape the city and explore ArtFarm in bucolic Hudson Valley. On Sunday, June 12, spend a leisurely afternoon at Artfarm with a guided tour of the galleries, enjoy a relaxing lunch in a rustic setting and meet new friends! About Artfarm Built as a storage facility and annex to Chambers Fine Art, Artfarm was commissioned from HHF Architects and renowned Chinese artist/architect, Ai Weiwei, whose latest work,”Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” was recently unveiled outside the Plaza Hotel at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street. During the guided tour, participants will have the opportunity to view artworks by Ai Weiwei in the collection. Artfarm consists of three interconnected structures built on sloping land that houses storage space, offices and a gallery on the lowest level. Artfarm’s galleries house objects from Chambers Fine Art New York and from owner Christophe Mao‘s private collection. As described by the architects: “The outer shape is a consequence of the use of a pre-engineered and easy to assemble type of steel building, which often gets used for agricultural purposes in that area. With its abstract metallic appearance the structure becomes an equal member of a whole group of sculptures which are spread out in the landscape.” The severity of the steel structure contrasts not only with the gently rolling landscape but also with the exposed surface of the heavy insulation that is such an unexpected feature of the interior. The effectiveness of the building results from a series of contrasts, between the rustic setting and the minimal form as well as between the rigid light-reflecting exterior and the softly draped interior. For their design of ArtFarm, HHF Architects was awarded the Gold Medal for the annual “Best Architects 10” prize in 2009. Schedule: 11:00am Depart from MOCA 1:00pm Guided Tour of Artfarm 1:45pm Lunch/Outdoor Exploration 3:00pm Depart 5:00pm Arrive at MOCA Tickets: $45 per MOCA member; $60 per non-member guest. Ticket price includes transportation to and from Artfarm by private coach, a guided tour and boxed lunch. Advance registration REQUIRED at programs@mocanyc.org
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[youtube]ejwKPyfm12Q[/youtube] Originally from Taipei but now based in Los Angeles, Jeni Yang is an illustrator who experiments with a wide variety of materials and mediums. The incorporation of woodwork in her whimsical and surreal paintings adds a handcrafted feel; the use of pastels and soft wood stains, nostalgia. She works out of a garage in deep Orange County, and spends 50/50 of her time working on the wood portions of her work and painting. In this Giant Robot Artist Friends film, Yang explains her process further and you’ll get to see her use a scroll saw. Take a look at Jeni Yang’s work as part of Synthesis (showing with Jesse Fillingham).
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