Giant Robot Store and GR2 News

I directed Shizu Saldamando. Unlike the rest, this one was a bit more difficult for some reason. I can guess it’s because I’ve known her for a bit but still don’t know her super well. This video helped bridge that gap. It’s the last of the series and I hope you enjoy it. Also watch for a future project I’m working on with Shizu at the Smithsonian.   (Youtube link)
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I was in teacher mode for the second time in a month. This time, I was in Orange County to a room of 30 or so kids ranging from 6 to middle school. Why not show them that custom figures can be art? From the first time out teaching, I learned that there’ll be one who can’t get a start. How do you overcome this? I asked her some question and get negative answers. “No, I can’t do that, no I don’t like that.” My trick was to get her holding a pen. I told her to start by writing her name on the bottom and coloring the base of the figure a solid color. Next thing I knew, she was off to the races. Of course at the end, I said, “good job, it came out fine.” And she said, “no, it’s not.” But I came back with, “I think so” and split out before she could reply negatively. The styles ranged from coloring clean to abstract assembly – most of the works was in a style that I couldn’t fathom. Somehow this project was green lit and disguised as part of a “career day.” Yes, someone or a few among this bunch will go on and do art and maybe they’ll remember custom figures too.

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.

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A fun reception filled with friends, family and fans. From the beginning to the end, a stream of folks walked through his exhibition, Out of the Films. Yes Iwai Shunji has a following that includes a legion of adoring fans, many who are Chinese. It turns out Love Letter and Hana & Alice are two films that were huge hits there. Also see the work of Iwai Shunji available now at: (GR – Iwai Shunji) We’ll post more photos soon.
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