Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Norman Mineta… Read his wikipedia entry. He’s had an amazing career, including an airport named after him. He’s the first Asian American mayor in the US (San Jose). The San Jose International is actually in his name. And he was the only Democrat in George Bush’s regime. That’s out of control. Tonite I met him, Senator Daniel Inouye who I actually met before, and many others. Why? They’re part of the Board of Governors. At first, I thought they’d be like Arnold Schwartzeneggar, but they’re more like Asian Americans on a mission. But tonite, it was a special dinner to talk about the museum, it’s possible future, the next GR Biennale that’s in 2009, and how they fit in. The talk was maybe 30 minutes, and I went through a few slides. The Senator from Hawaii rolls without any secret service. Am I supposed to say that? Daniel Inouye has been a Senator since 1959. He must love his job. I can’t see him ever losing another Senate election. I’ll bet his punk rock son, Kenny could run in his father’s place and win right off the bat. Daniel Inouye is like Ironman. Also in the house was George Takei, my main man. He’s a cool guy, and is a part of the GR team, especially when it’s museum or popular culture related. When 2009 rolls through, he’s definitely going to be a part of this entire party. Read about MinetaRead about Inouye I heard some say that I did a fine job tonite. I tried to give a background of what GR is about, what we like to do, how we do things, and then I tried to show the museum and our exhibition, what it meant to people, and how diverse of an audience it attracted. In the end, we’ll need their understanding and support to make a Biennale or other shows, work. I also told them that all of this wouldn’t be worth doing if we didn’t have their support. Why would I ever want to faction out a place that desperately needs to be cohesive? That said, I think we’re all on the same page and on the same team. The last photo is all of us eating the leftovers. If I’m ever a “governor,” I guess I’ll eat with them. For now, I’m happy to hang out with these mofos. Next stop Comicon NY. Be there later today or if not, I’ll be there on Sunday for sure. Depends on how early I can get in. Then the talks in Chicago. The first at UIC, and then a special morning session.
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Does that look sparse? Maybe. But as it went, more came in, and it didn't feel like as many seats were empty. It's a wide angle lens illusion. The talk itself was a lot more thoughtful that thought provoking at least to me than most panel discussions I am on. At this point in my life, being on a panel is about giving something to the people who attending to take with them, rather then dazzling...
Does that look sparse? Maybe. But as it went, more came in, and it didn’t feel like as many seats were empty. It’s a wide angle lens illusion. The talk itself was a lot more thoughtful that thought provoking at least to me than most panel discussions I am on. At this point in my life, being on a panel is about giving something to the people who attending to take with them, rather then dazzling them with useless “wow factor” facts and information. It’s always a difficult situation since being on a panel is also being an entertainer. If you’re not telling jokes and getting laughs which are good for a moment but are fleeting, then you have to care and hopefully have enough incite to offer some new thoughts about whatever topic you’re on. Hopefully the audience will understand what you’re talking about. That’s Phil, Angryasianman.com The panel was about popular culture but crossed into many avenues of fairly thought provoking discussion at least from my end. What could have been tired stories about Asian pop culture heroes, turned into issues of politics, “community,” Asian American representation, Asian vs Asian America. We were given a list of questions, which I didn’t read, and maybe I should have. I was forced to think a lot which I don’t have to do most of the times in panels or talks. We did get through all of their questions. It felt like a lot and usually time runs out quick, but we kept on going. Jeff Liu from Visual Communications (yes go to the film fest in LA. May 1 – 8th) and Daniel Lee the professor at UCLA. It was great to hear words from the other panelists. I learned about their perspectives, which differ from mine, but are backed up with their reasons and experiences. The audience questions were good too. They made me think, just to offer decent answers. If you missed it tonite, it might show up on video. The Subverses team did tape it. For maybe a few minutes, I felt in tune with where Asian America sits. It’s not great yet, but it’s moving, and that’s good.
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CLICK on any of the flyers or articles TO MAKE LARGER!April 10, thursday Eric Nakamura on a panel discussion about Asian and Asian American popular culture at UCLA. UCLA Asian American Studies Graduate Student Association presents "Asian American Popular Culture”
Support The 8th Annual SubVerses, a campus-wide event addressing Asian
American community issues and providing a forum of expression for a
...
CLICK on any of the flyers or articles TO MAKE LARGER! April 10, thursday Eric Nakamura on a panel discussion about Asian and Asian American popular culture at UCLA. UCLA Asian American Studies Graduate Student Association presents “Asian American Popular Culture” Support The 8th Annual SubVerses, a campus-wide event addressing AsianAmerican community issues and providing a forum of expression for acollection of voices. Please join us for a panel discussion featuring Daniel Lee (UCLAFaculty), Jeff Liu (Visual Communications), Eric Nakamura (GiantRobot), and Phil Yu (Angry Asian Man). Date: Thursday, April 10, 2008Time: 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.Place: UCLA-MOORE HALL Room 100405 Hilgard AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90095 April 23, 2008 ChicagoEric and Martin speaking at University of Illinois Chicago. Here it is online.Wednesday, April 234:00 p.m.Student Center East, Room 302Reception Following April 30th Wednesday UCLAWEDNESDAY April 30, 2008Asian Pop Entrepreneurs: Giant Robot Returns to UCLA Careers in Asia talk with Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, Co-Editors of Giant RobotHacienda Room, UCLA Faculty Center3:00 – 4:30 pmReception to Follow – so come and eat food.
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