Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
kozyndan Art Opening Reflections - Tell Me a Story 5 After more than 10 years of art exhibitions which translates to over 250 exhibitions if I include our SF and NY locations, there’s no need to be nervous. Yet less than 24 hours before the kozyndan exhibition opening, the uneasiness began. Waking up, my first thought was about the exhibition. I went into GR2 early to clean up and set up for the day. Everything was fine after a couple of hours. At 12, my thoughts were about the 6:30pm opening. At 2pm, same thing. At 4pm, I was already in my car to drive 5 minutes just to be there on time. I parked and waited. Why? Maybe it’s the lead up to the exhibition. kozyndan are old friends. As far as the shop and gallery, they’re among the longest running. I want the evening to turn out just right – whatever that means to people. For some, it’s to see a display of their latest work. For others, it’s the chance to purchase something. Then there’s the throng of old friends – some GR and many of kozyndan. The evening cruised like it was a reunion. People walking in with hugs and words of “congrats”. Liz Ohanesian, a friend and writer in Los Angeles, asked me questions for a piece, including the story of the young kozyndan walking into Giant Robot as students. She followed with questions about their development and then to the greatness of what they’ve become. I introduced her to kozyndan for more questions and then she followed up with a photo of us in the doorway of the gallery. I heard Dan in his exclamatory, yet quiet voice say, “history!” The flash went off, my nerves went away, and the night was grand.
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kozyndan Art Opening Reflections - Tell Me a Story 5 After more than 10 years of art exhibitions which translates to over 250 exhibitions if I include our SF and NY locations, there’s no need to be nervous. Yet less than 24 hours before the kozyndan exhibition opening, the uneasiness began. Waking up, my first thought was about the exhibition. I went into GR2 early to clean up and set up for the day. Everything was fine after a couple of hours. At 12, my thoughts were about the 6:30pm opening. At 2pm, same thing. At 4pm, I was already in my car to drive 5 minutes just to be there on time. I parked and waited. Why? Maybe it’s the lead up to the exhibition. kozyndan are old friends. As far as the shop and gallery, they’re among the longest running. I want the evening to turn out just right – whatever that means to people. For some, it’s to see a display of their latest work. For others, it’s the chance to purchase something. Then there’s the throng of old friends – some GR and many of kozyndan. The evening cruised like it was a reunion. People walking in with hugs and words of “congrats”. Liz Ohanesian, a friend and writer in Los Angeles, asked me questions for a piece, including the story of the young kozyndan walking into Giant Robot as students. She followed with questions about their development and then to the greatness of what they’ve become. I introduced her to kozyndan for more questions and then she followed up with a photo of us in the doorway of the gallery. I heard Dan in his exclamatory, yet quiet voice say, “history!” The flash went off, my nerves went away, and the night was grand.
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Video by DJ Tony Jr
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Video by DJ Tony Jr
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Tell Me A Story 4: kozyndan from 2001 to now The first day kozyndan walked into Giant Robot, they were students at Cal State Fullerton. This was perhaps in 2001, soon after the store opened. The couple led by the more talkative Dan, showed me a portfolio of drawings including a panoramic rendition of their apartment. We probably discussed their process since I doubt I knew what else to talk about, but their talent was undeniable. The drawing style wasn’t perfect contours, it had some artistic license. The color choices took the image to new places. It’s obvious their apartment wasn’t many shades of pink. A week or so later, they came to shoot photos at the Giant Robot Store for a new panoramic and I had no idea that I’d be included. I’m wearing an old jersey shirt that says “Oxnard” which I picked up at the Buddhist Temple yard sale. I’m scratching my head in some kind of nervousness. It’s me. The image captures the early look of the Giant Robot Store along with robots. I see items by Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo Nara and Groovisions. I see the Superflat banner and books that are now out of print and pricey. The “ladders” that became the front display are leaning against the wall behind me. Not too long after their completed image, I remember Kozy walking in and saying, “it’s different” perhaps in some kind of disappointment. Within a year, we held a kozyndan exhibition at the shop. What was art like in 2002? Unlike these days at least in Los Angeles, there weren’t multiple exhibitions by younger artists every weekend. Most people in a youth demographic weren’t looking to purchase art, it was something relatively new. Art fans didn’t exist like they do today. On that day, people showed up and comfortably adopted art. It was something new to us. 11 years later, we’re exhibiting kozyndan again. In between time, I’ve shown kozyndan in various capacities while our lives and careers grew on separate trajectories. Now, kozyndan creates art and illustrations so they can travel the world. The GR shops continue to grow pop culture and art. If kozy says, “it’s different”, I’d like to think although “it” looks different, we’re the same kids from 2001 – our futures still mysterious and hopefully intertwined. I stitched together images. This isn’t quite how it looks as a whole, but you get the idea.
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