He's got them in trees.

Matt Dangler sent over an email that had a rather odd creature attached (see below, but approach with care).



You see this "Cowardly Lion Pillar" is one of the three pieces he's delivering to the San Fran Gallery for a group show called "The Onset" that opens on May 15th. It's an exhibit introducing many of the most popular artists in our LA gallery to the Bay Area, including "The Dangler," Mark Bodnar, Joe Ledbetter, Amanda Visell, Ahren Hertel, Buff Monster and more. Rumors are swirling that this painting is actually a portrait of an animal Matt purchased from an old Asian man, who warned him not to feed him after midnight, expose him to water or light, and eventually heat it in a microwave when it goes "bad." OK, so who's ready to take him home?

Jensen
G1988: LA

Madden 08

While browsing the internet(s) - I came across this gem which must have just aired. It's an MTV Cribs for Good Charlotte lead singer Joel Madden, where he shows off his art gallery and his extensive Luke Chueh collection (although I think we see only half of what he's bought from G1988). Joel makes a pretty bold claim saying he's the world's biggest Luke collector, but I think I might have to second it. He's bought a lot. But still...seing Luke on MTV gave me an eerie feeling, like when I first saw the Depeche Mode "Personal Jesus" video on that channel or when I saw Cypress Hill shirts for sale at a Hot Topic years ago. They just sort of mean a lot to me, so I'm protective. Let's hope it goes more Depeche than Cypress. But this can only be good for Luke, so take a second to watch.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Hey, That's Joe Ledbetter!

I love this picture, so I had to post it. Joe was able to make it to the grand opening of Gallery1988 San Francisco last week. He had the best time ever - he can't hide his excitement.



The opening was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who stopped by to support the new location. This was a huge step for us and we are so thrilled about the positive response we've received so far. It's really been amazing!

And speaking of Joe Ledbetter... I took a short walk over to StrangeCo (www.strangeco.com) a few days ago to check on the Vivisect Playset toy series (which includes Luke Chueh, Joe Ledbetter, Thomas Han, Greg Simkins, Anthony Ausgang, Peter Gronquist, and Amanda Visell) and I got a sneak peak...



That's Joe's hand-painted color sample for the series and it's awesome! It's the King of Deadbeets. He sits on Emily's desk and she gets to admire him all day long. The Vivisect Playset series is due to be released late summer '07. Very exciting!!!

Katie
G1988 San Francisco

Second Verse, Same As The First

Totally packed, piling into the street.

Although not updated with last night's sales, work from the show can be seen by "clicking here" Just shoot an email over to Katie at gallery1988sf@gmail.com and get her your inquiries.

THANKS to everyone who came to the opening, as well as all the artists who promoted the reception during the APE convention. What an incredible night and thanks to everyone who made us feel so welcome.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Was Vinny Delpino In Newsies?

Read all about it.

LA Times article hits. "Click Here."

Great video by Ace Carretero for Vinyl Pulse popping up on the You Tubes. "Click Here." You kinda gotta think Nic Cowan is so loveable he'd win "American Idol" or something.

The SF Chronicle picks up the SF Grand Opening (which is THIS Saturday). "Click Here."

With coverage from Fuel, Spike, G4 and MTV on its way, I don't sleep anymore. Speaking of not sleeping, I'm working on getting all the pieces that are available online right now. Well, not right now "right now," but as SOON as I'm done with you, blog.

I leave tomorrow for SF, but make sure you all swing by the gallery when you can. It really is a GREAT show - curated by Katie, Me and Jon Gibson. Yup, all of us.

So Sercessful

Did that really happen last night?

I don't even really know what to post, guys. I'm usually witty and humorous, but now I'm just tired and a bit sad.



1,400 people lined up, wrapped around our building, will do that to someone. The opening was a "sercess." Not a typo. I just don't have a word to describe how happy we are with the reception, as a "success" would be an understatement. So I made up "sercess." I watched Nolan Bushnell, the creator of Atari, play with a 6-foot 2600 controller, so now, in the least, I can make up words. I'm gonna scower the internet today and look for recaps of last night, cause I just can't do it myself.

#1 reason - I barely saw anything. I was busy all night.
#2 reason - I think I ate a BAD potato pancake after the show, so although my Nanny would not have agreed, Jewish food is not ALWAYS good for you.
#3 reason - I gots crap to do. (I just re-read this reason and realized you might think this has to do with the said potato pancake and my sickness because of it, but it doesn't. "Crap" is used as in "things to do." Keep that in mind).
#4 reason - see below

BUT, as soon as my Mac IBook is off the fritz, I will be putting together an online update to get ALL the available pieces from I AM 8-BIT online, because there is WAAAAY too much good stuff left. Seriously. I think you'll all be shocked.

And then I'm off to SF this weekend for the grand opening of Gallery 1988:SF. The thing is....when we opened an art gallery, we thought this shit was supposed to be kind of boring, or at least a little relaxing. I was wrong.

On a different note, Katie and I would like to send our hearts and love to Little Ava, a beautiful 3 1/2 year old girl we were able to meet through owning this gallery (and her art-supporting parents), who left us yesterday after a valiant battle with Neuroblastoma. We had only met her a few times, but Katie and I both remarked after our first encounter with her, that she just seemed "very special." I hope all of you, even those just reading about her now on this blog, can think of her today and send some love to her (now in a much better place) and her parents.

I have added this picture that Ava's mother posted on the Kid Robot boards of Ava at the gallery during a Vivisect Playset show. I'm a bit speechless after finding the picture.




Jensen
G1988: LA

Are We There Yet?

Not just the title of an awful family movie that ruined my favorite N.W.A. member, but when you ask "Are We There Yet?" now I assume you're talking about I AM 8-BIT! The art show featuring 100's of 1980's video game art opens tomorrow night, Tuesday the 17th, from 7-11 PM. We've had a few creepy crawlers come through and see our progress, inlcuding the fine folks at "Vinyl Pulse, (you can click here to see their preview)" and they proclaim it is the best year of I AM 8-BIT yet, and they wouldn't lie on Passover. Here's another sneak peek for those following the blog, it's Brandi Milne's contribution and it's awesome. Let me know what you think and I will see you tomorrow night!



Jensen
G1988: LA

ONE WEEK!

GALLERY1988 SAN FRANCISCO OPENS IN ONE WEEK!!

April 21st is approaching so fast! We've made A LOT of progress on the new gallery (please ignore the huge mess in the middle of the room) and we've already started installing our first show, "The Indie"...





Does that gallery look familiar to anyone? Yep, it's almost exactly the same as our LA space. And to that I say - if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Right.

Well, back to work. Hopefully I'll see all you San Francisco friends on April 21st at our GRAND OPENING! And for all of you in Los Angeles, don't you worry cause I'll see you this Tuesday (April 17th) at "I Am 8-Bit!" I know you miss me. Yes, I miss you too...

Katie
G1988 SF

Piled Up

Seeing Sanjaya last another day can only make me so happy. Especially when I walk into the gallery to hundreds of video game paintings lined up on my floor.



HEY! I see you trying to decipher what is what! STOP THAT!

Anyway, it's really THAT GOOD this year, so don't miss it. Also, we just announced that there will be a 5-foot (WORKING!) Atari 2600 joystick, where you'll be able to play "Mega Man 2600" (a game developed exclusively for this year's exhibit to celebrate the Blue Bomber's 20th anniversary). INSANE.

Until then, I'm gonna go lay in the paintings. Good night.

Jensen
G1988: LA

West Coast Meets East Coast

This is officially my first post on our blog! I am writing today to share with you all my trip to amazing New York City, because sharing is caring. On my trip I visited some classic New York art sites, like the Guggenheim Museum, and some spots that should be on the 'Must See in NYC' lists, like 5Pointz and P.S.1. Below are pictures from my favorite spots and one familiar LA face. Enjoy!

Dalek at Jonathan Levine


Mars 1 at Jonathan Levine


The Giant


5 Pointz




Ceiling of a stairwell in P.S.1


The Guggenheim


Becky
G1988: LA

Highway to Hell

I'm back in the saddle (if by "saddle," you know that I mean an overcast Los Angeles, leaving behind almost 90 degree Cabo San Lucas weather), and ready for #1) LA's biggest annual show and #2) the opening of the gallery. Not a slow time.

He's a huge fan of of the highly underrated Martin/Oz Hollywood satire "Bowfinger" and a recent subject on network news, but G1988 friend photographer Brian McCarty will have his first piece in the gallery for "I AM 8-BIT" this year, and he sent us this little tease -



Looks like it's Frogger time, as Brian used the real 101 (Woodman Ave., Stand Up!) for his photo shoot. We've always been fans of Brian's work, so we're excited to finally get him in a show.

I'm gonna go pretend El Guapo down the street is actually in Mexico. Wish me luck.

SCOTT CAMPBELL

A great friend and amazing artist, Scott Campbell, is having a solo show this Wednesday (April 11th) in San Francisco at Cowboys and Angels.





Definitely check out this show and get there early - his last solo show sold out before the show even opened! We'll soon be seeing a lot more of Scott's work in art galleries all over the country and even overseas!! He has a ton of shows coming up, including "I Am 8-Bit" with us in LA, which opens on April 17th, and the grand opening of Gallery1988 San Francisco on April 21st. He painted 27 (yes 27!!!) pieces for 8-Bit and they'll all be individually framed. Here's a sneak peak of four of them...



You can check out more of Scott's work on his blog http://scott-c.blogspot.com/

And here's a picture of Finnigan getting comfy at our new space in SF. He's preparing for an important meeting. He takes his job very seriously...



Katie
G1988 San Francisco

Is it....or is it...?

Not sure if it's the Cabo sun, the 5 Bloody Marys I had today near the pool or just the overall giddiness of being on a vakay, but I want to show you Travis Louie's contribution for this year's 8-bit.



It's all based on the idea that Q-Bert was take into custody of a mental ward for his incesent hopping.

And yes, the work is THAT good for this year's exhibit. Until then though, I'm going back to bask in the sun.

Jensen
G1988: LA

HOTEL DES ARTS

I stopped by the Hotel des Arts this weekend to say hello to LA artists Doug Murphy (aka Plasticgod) and Alayna Magnan who are both painting rooms in the hotel. It was my first time checking this place out and it's really cool inside! It's a boutique hotel with really narrow hallways and each room is unique - it has a ton of character. A lot of great artists have painted rooms there; you can see a list of names on the hotel website. Doug and Alayna's rooms look amazing.







Alayna is finished with hers, but Doug needs one more visit and he'll be done. There's going to be an opening reception for the new rooms towards the end of April. I'll post the actual date when I know 100%. Jensen is actually staying at the Hotel des Arts when he comes up for the grand opening of our new SF gallery!

Speaking of the SF store... I'm going to try to post pics of the new space tomorrow! It's coming along... Only 19 days left - the countdown has started!!

Katie
G1988 San Francisco