Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
When we last spoke to translators for Genron, they were hard at work translating articles for the recent issue of the Shisouchizu Beta journal. Genron is a company founded by one of Japan’s premier critics, Azuma Hiroki, the author of Otaku: Japan’s Database Animals. Genron offers an accessibly fresh “critical discourse” based on “the here and now” in Japanese society. This may sound broad, but it’s merely a reflection of the journal’s range of topics. The journal analyzes everything from the otaku and gyaru subcultures to Japanese political science and literary criticism. There’s something for everyone here. It’s academically intellectual, yet journalistically readable and has information unobtainable through Western media. The new issue, Japan 2.0, confronts Japan’s looming future after the Great Tohoku Earthquake of “3/11”. “Japan was forcibly changed by the violence of the disaster,” Azuma writes in the opening note. “What we need now are words that, accepting this as a premise, act as a lighthouse which, though perhaps unable to provide the answer to the question of where Japan should be headed, may at least hazily light the way forward.” Communication and change are indeed the journal’s raison d’être. The presence of communication in Japan’s contemporary “atmosphere,” it’s evolution, and the necessity in its transformation for the future is a recurrent point throughout the issue. We had a peek at some of the translated articles and abstracts in the back of the journal. I’ll write comments on the individual articles within the issue in the near future. In the mean time here’s a brief summary. Highlights include an interview with Fukushima Maiko and Shikura Chiyomaru. Fukushima, better known as Mofuku-chan, is the president of Moé Japan and creator of the Mogra and Dear stage clubs and producer of the Denpagumi.inc idol group. Shikura is the president of MAGES and was involved in the production of Steins;Gate. Together they discuss the current state of Akihabara and some of the challenges and possible changes it faces in the future. They explain how its culture evolved from “2D otaku” to “3D otaku” more interested in creating content through mediums like Nico Nico Douga and interacting with idol groups like AKB48. Challenges for Akihabara include the manga market’s competition with cellphones. What’s emphasized is that the otaku, usually stereotyped as asocial creatures, seek out modes of communication. They merely used different entertainment mediums as a means for discussing its content for hours on end. Included within the interview is a photoshoot narrated in the style of a Japanese Role Playing Game with Azuma, Shikura, and Fukushima cosplaying as archetypical characters from the genre. The narrative posits whether or not Moé, Akihabara, and the otaku can save the future. Next is a transcribed speech from Murakami Takashi at his 500 Arhats Exhibit in Doha, Qatar. In it, he describes his motivation for constructing such an art piece and addresses its relationship between it and the Tohoku Earthquake. “I wanted to depict the chaos of Japan in painting and make it a message...
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Kal Penn gets interviewed and talks about the efforts of what he did behind the scenes of the Obama administration, on the Asian American vote, and more. (The Root – Kal Penn)
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Catch up with Japanese character Domokun! It’ll tell you about the licensing and where it’s at today. (LA Weekly – Domokun)
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TWO OF A KIND JENI YANG SOLO EXHIBITION AUGUST 18 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 RECEPTION: SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 6:30-10PM Giant Robot is proud to present Two of a Kind, an art show featuring new works by Jeni Yang. Whimsical might be the way to describe the works of Taiwan born and Southern California residing artist, Jeni Yang. Her works intersect cats, cakes, and nature. Her recent entry into Giant Robot 2′s Game Over exhibition included a video game, Cat Burger, which will be on display as well. Two of a Kind will include: paintings, drawings, and small sculptures including a wall installation. Facebook event. >> SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON LIMITED EDITION FIGURES UGLYDOLL X FUNKO – POP! These are limited edition 2012 SDCC versions of their popular vinyl figure line. There are only 480 of each variety. Their heads can rotate and provide a cool accessory for your desk or display case. WAGE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GR EDITION *SIGNED* UGLYDOLL Get your very own Giant Robot Edition complete with exclusive commemorative buttons and Cubeecraft paper Wage. LABRADOR RETRIEVER STICKERS SEAL COLLECTION Seal Collections stickers are all about dogs! This particular one is the Labrador Retriever set. Adorable! ARTIST TRADING CARD PACK SERIES 2 THE ART HUSTLE Special inserts include a new sub-series of Artist Menko Cards, Frank Kozik Silk Screen Cards & Ron English Sticker Cards! THE MELTY MISFITS STICKER PACK BUFF MONSTER Watch out for special inserts such as signed cards, variants, errors and a poster. Also one lucky golden ticket is in one of these packs which wins you an original painting. GIANT ROBOT BIENNALE 3 SEPTEMBER 23 – JAN 20, 2013 RECEPTION: SEPTEMBER 22, TIME TBD The Japanese American National Museum presents Giant Robot Biennale 3, its third show in conjunction with Eric Nakamura, owner of Asian American pop culture juggernaut Giant Robot. The expansive show features a gallery of eight emerging artists along with a customized vinyl figure collection. Following two previous successful exhibitions at the National Museum, the Biennale continues to push the envelope with a creative, fresh, and uniquely interactive experience. This year’s exhibition highlights the works of Rob Sato, Deth P. Sun, Ako Castuera, Eishi Takaoka, Saelee Oh, Sean Chao, Albert Reyes, and Zach Gage, all with long ties to Giant Robot. Each artist brings their original style, from whimsical wall paintings and creatures in clay worlds, to a life-size “haunted” maze especially built for this Biennale. Using Uglydoll creator David Horvath figures, Nakamura curated Project Remix, a custom vinyl show with over 80 artists from seven countries—including the rare combination of both established customizers and fine artists. Special additions to the exhibition include an original piece from Japanese painter Masakatsu Sashie as well as arcade machines running Jeni Yang and Beau Blyth’s new indie video game, Catburger. >> JENI YANG SEE THE IMAGES ARTIST FRIEND SERIES: JENI YANG By GIANT ROBOT NEWS Since the exhibition is this Saturday, we thought we’d show you the Jeni Yang Artist...
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Slow news day… [youtube]nQ2Tgr_ev0c[/youtube]
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