Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Takashi Murakami’s show Davy Jones’ Tear opening took place at Blum and Poe. I’m sure everyone wants to know how much everything is. I never bothered to find out, but they weren’t free or cheap. They probably hit the 7 figures+ and I heard they were all sold. From one of his past associates, I found out it’s not uncommon for an artist to follow up a big ass show in the same city with another exhibition to make some sales, pretty much as I thought. The art continues to be great, in a sort of continuation from the latest works at MOCA. These really need to be seen in person to get the idea of what they’re like. From an image alone, you don’t get the idea. These works follow up on the second floor of the MOCA exhibition. I heard that these works were entirely silkscreened. Many colors no doubt and huge and meticulous. I think it’s the first time he produced work in this manner. These works are actually amazing and will continue his tradition of art. The piece above has a little bit of old school and new. The latest flower style which you see on his mugs, and his newest style of his backgrounds. A lot of folks steamed up the rooms. I’m sure it’s not so great for the works, but for a night, it’s all cool. Seonna Hong, who I’ll be seeing in Tokyo next week. She’ll be there tomorrow. Takashi Murakami and Mark Ryden Kurobuta and baby bok choy and tomato at Wilson Food and Wine. Kobe style beef on an eggplant slice, asparagus, and flat bread and guacamole. Tim Blum makes a quick speech. Tim Blum and Jeff Poe have done a lot for art in LA and maybe the US. Granted, it’s mostly high art, and it definitely caters to the heavy hitters, their clientele, the work by Murakami has transcended to the masses. They also handle Yoshitomo Nara as well. It’s work that’s infiltrated popular culture and brought a style of Japanese art to the US and they were into it before it was cool or hot. I’m sure they’re doing quite well as a result of their vision, and look at how many people they can host to a nice meal. Tim Blum, a woman (I found out! It’s Tim’s wife), me and Chiho…
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I'm judging shorts this year at the VC film festival. I've been outspoken about how I dislike short films, so I seem like a terrible candidate, but in the end, it's not true. It's not that I dislike shorts, it's more about disliking bad shorts. I've seen my share of short programs that have 8 bad ones and 1 good one. I've also seen some which are 10 bad ones only. Then there's been some that are...
I’m judging shorts this year at the VC film festival. I’ve been outspoken about how I dislike short films, so I seem like a terrible candidate, but in the end, it’s not true. It’s not that I dislike shorts, it’s more about disliking bad shorts. I’ve seen my share of short programs that have 8 bad ones and 1 good one. I’ve also seen some which are 10 bad ones only. Then there’s been some that are half and half. I’ll admit from experience, it’s difficult to tell a short in just a few minutes. Usually, it’s a gag, or a quick “haha” type of project. That’s how it is. You don’t have time to develop a character, you don’t have time to tell an entire life story, but what you can do is a quick vignette. I’ve made a super 8 short, Sumo: the Wrestlers which screened a few times in festivals here and there. It actually showed in the post LA riot 1991 to just a few people. I made another years later as part of the Obits program, which went to a bunch of film fests, which I hope never sees the light of day again. There were others as well. I think I had screen dreams back then, like many today. I do know people spend as much money as it takes of make a feature film on a short. They probably take as long as some do to make a feature, and for some, this is their life’s achievement, all in a matter of a few minutes. So with that mind, I’ll give all of these film a fair viewing. Who knows, this may give some lift to an important director tomorrow. Somehow I found the room of snacks. It’s not pretty, but that’s where people recharge.
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Visual Communications presents the Asian Pacific Film Festival. It's on! Full house at the DGA with Ping Pong Playa as the opening night film. That's an auspicious title. What is Ping Pong Playa about? Imagine a pro Yellow Asian American who's as outspoken as Mars Blackmon and Charles Barkley. And instead of playing basketball, he takes it old school by playing ping pong. The flick is by Oscar...
Visual Communications presents the Asian Pacific Film Festival. It’s on! Full house at the DGA with Ping Pong Playa as the opening night film. That’s an auspicious title. What is Ping Pong Playa about? Imagine a pro Yellow Asian American who’s as outspoken as Mars Blackmon and Charles Barkley. And instead of playing basketball, he takes it old school by playing ping pong. The flick is by Oscar winner Jessica Yu, that works with the idea of a tight Chinese American family, a Chinese sport, and model minority myths, but all done under the guise of a comedy. It’s a perfect Asian American film fest feature. That’s an older photo of Jimmy Tsai and Jessica Yu I took in SF. Patrick from alivenotdead.com and Monica who’s a model and such around the globe. That’s Terence, who was the one who hooks up with a fan in Alivenotdead. He’s also the one who sings well, but also acts. It’s awesome that he’s from South Pasadena and has made it in Asia. He doesn’t visit much, so say hello when you can or if you see him. He eats pretty quick as I saw at Jerry’s Deli after the fest opening. You take it for granted that what I think is junky American food is everywhere, but it doesn’t exist in Hong Kong. It was nice to catch up with these folks in LA since I missed em all when I was out there.
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