Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Can I write this without seeming like a HK paparazzi? I hope so, because this is just like I'd write about any other wedding or trip… It just happened to include two of my better-known friends (Daniel Wu and Lisa Selesner) and take place in a world-class hotel/casino. Above, Dehara's renditions of the newlyweds in front of the resort, out of bubble wrap and about to be gifted. The event took place in a secluded part of Caesar's that just happened to have full-on sound system for a Las Vegas-style show. Above, Caesar's showman Matt Goss does his thing for new groom. This photo does a good job of conveying the room's decor and feeling, including the massive photo installations. As you might imagine, the montages that showed on the video screens were very cool–equal parts clips and campaigns, awkward pictures of the couple as children, and amazing imagery from their wedding ceremony in South Africa. The photo doesn't show the showgirl dancers, who taught the kids a new dance move or two… After the band played, there was some impromptu Hava Nagila action, which went with the undercurrent of mixed Chinese/Jewish traditions. For example, an early dish mixed hand-pulled noodles with matzoh ball soup. Later on, there was noodles kugel (explained to us by table sharer Automator) and then there was Peking Duck. Everything was excellent… But back to the traditions, Hava Nagila served as a counterpoint to the Chinese wedding games, one of which entailed a line of women kisssing the blind-folded groom, who had to figure out which one was his wife. Dan failed. Later on, Lisa had to figure out her husband's butt by Braille. I was one of the lucky guys to get felt up by her. So was Andrew Lin (center of line). Of course, Lisa prevailed. As always Dan was a good sport about it, only disappointed that he couldn't squeeze out a fart when it was his turn. The cake was an amazing reproduction of Lisa's poo-poo hut, which served as the headquarters for their recent marriage. The cake was gigantic. Not sure if it was to scale with the Dehara figures or if they are going to put it in their refrigerator to break out during their first anniversary. Of course, Lisa looked great and was as funny as ever. It was cool to see her in one of her hometowns with her family, since I've been with Dan in the Bay Area a bunch and met many of his relatives as well. In fact, the entire event was put together by Lisa's mom and her dad's crew. Did I mention the crazy ice sculpture? The Hong Kong skyline served as the facade of a bar as well as a functional vessel for vodka or other drinks meant to be served extra cold… Another cool piece of the wedding was a cardboard cutout of the couple in their wedding gear. Since the celebration in South Africa had a very limited guest...
Continue reading
[nggallery id=43] Art Show Opening: Matt Furie August 7 – September 1, 2010 Reception: Saturday, August 7, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. Giant Robot Gallery 437 East 9th Street Between 1st Ave. & Ave. A, in the East Village New York, New York 10009 (212) 674-GRNY (4769) | grny.net** Giant Robot is proud to present new works by San Francisco-based artist Matt Furie at GRNY. Matt Furie creates richly detailed and hyper colored illustrations and paintings that crossbreed the hyper detail of Basil Wolverton, primal appeal of Fraggle Rock and Labyrinth, and unrestrained youth of Chuck E. Cheese. In addition to showing his works in galleries around the world, Furie’s storytelling is showcased in Boy’s Club, which is published by Buenaventura Press and not approved by the Comics Code. For Animal Style, Furie is creating a mix of colorful anthropomorphic characters, monster families, and animal wizards and warriors. He promises over 70 original pieces of art, most of which will be small and affordable. Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, as well as an online equivalent. A reception for the artist will be held from 6:30 – 10:00 on Saturday, August 7. For more information about the show, GRNY, or Giant Robot magazine, please contact: Eric Nakamura Giant Robot Owner/Publisher eric@giantrobot.com (310) 479-7311
Continue reading
[nggallery id=41] Giant Robot Presents: ‘Adventure!’ an art show featuring new work by Philip Lumbang August 7 – September 1, 2010 Opening Reception: Saturday, August 7, 6:30 – 10:00 PM GR2 2062 Sawtelle Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025 <a href=”http://gr2.net/” rel=”nofollow”>gr2.net/</a> 310.445.9276 Giant Robot is proud to host Adventure!, an art show featuring new work by Philip Lumbang. The Sacramento-born, Los Angeles-based artist has made a name for himself by painting what has been become known as “polite bears” on public walls around Los Angeles. Providing contrast to typically macho graffiti, his life-sized characters wave, smile, and are accompanied by word balloons that say things like “Have a nice day” and “Don’t worry, be happy.” While the warmth-inducing pieces are bold enough to smite passers-by in buses, bikes, and cars, closer inspection reveals a painterly hand. What might be mistaken for stencils from afar turn out to be the products of a confident brush worthy of a gallery setting. For Adventure!, Lumbang will continue his work on wood and a range of found objects, trying out different spray-paint and sanding applications and showing new layering techniques that add depth to the back ground, while keeping the fore ground as illustrative as possible. He says, “I want the pieces to be literal, with a lot of bold type and bright colors.” Giant Robot was born as a Los Angeles-based magazine about Asian, Asian-American, and new hybrid culture in 1994, but has evolved into a full-service pop culture provider with shops and galleries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, as well as an online equivalent. An opening reception for Lumbang will take place from 6:30 – 10:00 PM on Saturday, August 7. For more information about the artist, GR2, or Giant Robot magazine, please contact: Eric Nakamura Giant Robot Owner/Publisher eric@giantrobot.com (310) 479-7311 ###
Continue reading
A bit of preparation! The show went up in a hurry and these look great. From the streets to a spot on our walls. The bears are back. This is just one wall. There's plenty of other pieces as well on the other wall. 35 in all! Don't forget, it's Phil's birthday tomorrow. A whopping 24 years of age. We'll see you here tomorrow.
Continue reading
That's a check for $300 and a wood plaque for the tournament winner of the 4.5 division. Last weekend, my cousin Jon took the prize. First place in a tennis tournament. Yes, he's probably better than the guys in the tournament and he won. It's fun to watch him win with a counterpunching style. Most guys are trying to hit the crap out of the ball and my cousin Jon getting everything back with pin point control. The runner up and cool enough to be in the photo with his $150. Still not bad.
Continue reading