HOMEWARD BOUND...

I just got back from an amazing vacation in Mexico, where I did indeed catch a crab! (Ha ha... call back to Jensen's blog post a few days ago).



Seriously, I did find this little guy in our shower. He was quite small, would fit in the palm of your hand. But my trip was great and I have to admit a little tough to get back into work mode.

BUT... I returned to the gallery to find some amazing work had arrived for our new show, which opens TOMORROW! Here's a little preview...



Tiffany Liu
"Air Balloon Ride"
gouache
16 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches (frame size)
7 1/4 x 9 inches (image size)

"Back For Seconds" opens tomorrow night at 7PM. You can see the show flyer HERE. Hopefully we'll see some of you at the show, if not we'll have all the artwork posted on our website by Saturday.

See you soon!

Katie
G1988 San Francisco

Y - The Last Man

I know this makes two non-art related posts in a row, but it's hard not to incorporate some sort of personal life in this blog, especially when it involves something I've been a part of one time in my life.

WWE wrestler Chris Benoit appears to have killed his wife, 7 year old son, then himself at his Atlanta home this past weekend. Some of you might not know, but last year I spent a few months as a writer over at WWE, travelling to up to 3 shows a week, living in Stanford, CT and working hand-in-hand with wrestlers everyday on their RAW and Smackdown TV shows. I worked with Chris a bunch of times and am just sort of shocked at the news. He was always a rather quiet guy, very high on respect and seemed to be totally normal, especially as he had been in the business about 20 years. I know I can't delve much into my time there, but that business is so rough and the schedule is so difficult (on both the mind and these wrestlers' bodies), I can't help but see this as a tragic result of the biz. I don't know who to pray for, but I know I just feel awful for his poor wife and child.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Just the Start

MTV's totally unknown Movies Blog just made my early afternoon. Behold the first image from the set of the Spike Jonze directed, Dave Eggers written, "Where The Wild Things Are."



Very rarely do films based on my favorite lit actually live up to my expectations (i.e. Tim Burton's Willy Wonka, Nip/Tuck dude's Running With Scissors, etc.), although some seem to live forever (i.e. Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka, Batman Begins, etc.) - but man, am I ready for this shit. This picture is just fueling my eagerness to start lining up now at the Arclight (and by then I can get my childhood 818 on, as they did just announce a new Arclight in Sherman Oaks, a city very close to where I actually read the Wild Things book for the first time).

It's my day off, so an art-less blog post seems logical. But am I the only one excited to see this awesome production still?

Jensen
G1988: LA

No, You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo.

I dare you to tell me that at your job there's a place next door where they have Yo-Yo Championship After-Party BBQ's in our alley. There was a regional competition at a nearby park, and Golden Apple is where they ended up afterwards....to party. I believe it's sponsored by Duncan, the name you can trust in Yo-Yo's, mostly because it's the only name you know. Anyway, here's my visual report:



Here's Ryan from Golden Apple cooking cows.



The guy in the red shirt, with the Pepsi, is Jack. Met him at Comic Con last year, and he is one of the world's top Yo-Yo masters. He also can solve a Rubiks Cube in 90 seconds. He also is a good juggler. All very lonely skills. I can relate being an only child. You can catch him on the Ozzfest this year on the second stage right in between Atreyu and the toothless guy next to you yelling about how Sabbath rocks.









Then....they had what they called a "Knife Fight." I'm still not sure at all what this means, but I do know it's a contest between two people, who hold hands (like West Side Story battle scenes), then play with their own Yo-Yo's, until their opponent can Yo-Yo no more. Here are the bloody shots I took.





Anyway, the party was really fun and calm until one of the competitors passed out from OD'ing on Peyote. OK, that didn't happen, but it was jumping. TAKE THAT TRENDY FAIRFAX! We have block parties too!!!!!!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Prince is a singer. Prints are what I sell.

THURSDAY! THURSDAY! THURSDAY!

It's crazy print release day here at Gallery 1988: LA. While Katie is bartering to purchase a wood crab from beaches of Mexico (that's not a "catching crabs" joke so you know), I'm informing you on the new prints that are now available for sale at 1988 starting today. And as a childhood hero of mine, Crazy Eddie, used to say, "Act now, these won't last long!" Although they won't be on the actual Gallery site for a day or so, I figured I'd give the blog readers a jump start. You can call me at (323) 937 - 7088 anytime today or tomorrow, 11-6 PST. Operators are standing by. I mean, operator.



Greg "Craola" Simkins BRAND NEW PRINT (it was announced here on the blog, but now it CAN be purchased)
"The Pollen Hunter"
12x20 inches
giclee on archival paper, signed and numbered edition of 50
$100 (does not come framed)



Brandt Peters
"Abandoned Playground Series: Swing" print
19x13 inches
giclee print on archival paper, signed and numbered edition of 50
$75



Brandt Peter
"Abandoned Playground Series: See-Saw" print
16x13 inches
giclee print on archival paper, signed and numbered edition of 50
$75



We're finally releasing....

The Scott Campbell Pac-Mans (Set 1)
5 different giclee prints on archival papers
2.75 x 2.75 inches each
EACH are hand signed and numbered editions of 50
Each will cost $10, or $40 for the set.

Crazy Eddie signing off, next up: Kiner's Korner, then that weird kid's show that Mario Antone used to do (Something Alley?). Anyone else watch WWOR as a kid in LA?

Jensen
G1988: LA

My Goals, My Dreams and That Look I Give When I'm Really Tired

It's this look....



My goal for the day was to go ALL OUT with a post that filled you in so much with what's going on here, including the opening reception for "Packed and Loaded" (going on tonight, as I type this), but I was run ragged with my daily chores of getting the spot ready. It just seemed like everything was a hassle today....except for...

Kevin Smith publicizing the CRAZY 4 CULT show today on Kevin and Bean (KROQ's morning show). Man, I don't mean to come off Rupert Pupkin (King of Comedy, anyone? Really, man? Who runs your Netflix?), but I love this dude. He's promoting the art show, not because he has a financial reason to, but because he actually is excited for it and ready to support the artists. That dude KNOWS John McClain personally, on some "I sell you weapons" shit, and he's actually gonna be at the art show and is ALREADY promoting for us? Barely know him, but LOVE him already.

WAIT.......

While I was writing this blog entry, we heard that Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange? At this point, you're semi-pitiful) was having a signing over at Rocket Video, so I had Becky, gallery assistant genius, run over there to tell him about the Crazy 4 Cult show, especially as he appears twice on show card (which he signed for us). He actually HAD ALREADY HEARD ABOUT IT!!! He said he's going to try and stop by!!! OH....and he posed:



While I'm live blogging....here is what I see from my desk right now as the opening reception rolls along:



That didn't end up as cool as I thought it would be. Now I look boring.

Jensen
G1988: LA

GOODBYE SAN FRANCISCO!

It's vacation time! Hooray! That means the SF gallery will be closed until June 29th, when we re-open with "Back For Seconds!" This is already our third SF show! I can't believe it.





I know you'll miss us while we're vacationing, but you can still get your G1988 fix while we're away cause we have an amazing show opening in LA!


"Packed and Loaded" opens in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 19th 7-10PM and features Isaac Pierro, Jen Rarey, Israel Sanchez, Camilla d'Errico, Erik Alos, Heiko Windisch, Rachel Wong and Brandt Peters...





We have paintings, drawings AND plush in this show! It's a great group of artists and the opening reception's gonna be a blast because most of the artists will be attending, so come check it out!


Other very exciting news... we've confirmed two very special hosts for our "Crazy for Cult" show this July in LA: Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier (of Clerks and Mallrats fame)! WOW! This is a huge deal for us, so we really can't explain in words how excited we are! The show features over 50 AMAZING artists depicting scenes from their favorite cult movies. Check out the show flyer HERE.

OK! That's all I have for today. Goodbye, friends. I will see you back in SF on June 29th.

Katie
G1988 San Francisco



THE SF GALLERY WILL BE CLOSED JUNE 17TH - JUNE 28TH. WE WILL RE-OPEN ON JUNE 29TH AT 7PM.

The Mother Land of Israel Sanchez

As we get ready to take down the epic exhibit that is Kurt Hasley Frederiken's first solo at 1988: LA (one piece remaining now btw), we ready ourselves for a group show of 8 artists opening on the 19th. "Packed and Loaded" features some names you might recognize, and some that might prove to be a brand new artist for your repertoire. One of these new names to 1988 is Israel Sanchez. An artist heavily influenced by childrens' book illustrations (not to mention "Neverending Story," a movie he's depicted in one of his pieces before), Israel is a CA native (La Habra, stand up!) and here's a sneak peek at a piece he'll have in the "Packed and Loaded" show.



The weekend is here, so my words are limited. Keep it gangster.

Jensen
G1988: LA

My Lights And Action Were Messed Up

I've had some issues with my camera lately, so please excuse the photo heavy update today, but I gotta get you back in the groove here.

First up, we had the 2-day Kurt Halsey Frederiksen Meet & Greet last week, and it went really well. I know I called the Kurt fans "the word I must not speak again" once, but now I can call them "friendly." They really are the kindest art buyers around. Which works out, cause Kurt is a nice dude himself. My favorite fact about Kurt I realized this last week: He may depict some sensitive, girl oriented, emotional artwork - but dude is a SERIOUS football fan. Listening to him talk about vintage Cunningham (not THAT Philly Young Gun vintage Randall, but the Purple Monster Minnesota version) might be one of my favorite "I own an art gallery" moments. Anyway, so the events were fun and lots of Kurt fans (some even travelling from Texas) were ecstatic to meet him. Witness the strength of street knowledge:











And trust me when I say, I can not forget the newest member of the Gallery 1988: LA family.



I got a dog. Yes, his name is Benjamin and he is a 4 month old Bugg (hybrid of a Boston Terrier and Pug) and he is totally freaking adorable. I know it's hard shoes to fill with Finnigan the Mini Pin moving to SF, but I think Ben (or Benny, but NOT Benjy) could do it. I dare you to not to smile. At least at this picture:



No, those are ACTUAL shorts, not my boxers. But YES, I am hairier than those werewolf kids that Maury Povich used to always have on his talk show. Anyway, he's a genius and we welcome him with open arms (and a bag for picking up his stinky poo) into the 1988 clan.

Jensen (and Ben)
G1988: LA

THEY'RE BACK!

For this year's "I Am 8-Bit," Scott Campbell created 27 small PacMan paintings and we've made a sweet little print set with 5 of them!



These little guys are 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches each and limited edition of 50. They'll be sold individually or in a set of all 5! And Scott is going to hand sign and number each and every single one!

These prints will be ready next week and will be available in LA and SF, as well as on our website! Hooray!

Katie
G1988 San Francisco

HE'S WATCHING YOU

...weird HTML code put this thing all over our regular Gallery site too. We've gotta talk with our host.

Also, make sure to head over to the new forum at the Kid Robot website, that I'll be moderating, revolving around fine art! Come speak on prints, artists, originals or just show off your collection. Hence, I will also be watching you...but not as much as The Silent One.

Jensen
G1988: LA

CRAZY FOR CULT

Start your engines.

Jensen
G1988: LA

This Land is His Land

I know I'm supposed to focus on art, and I'm currently getting ready for the KHF Meet and Greet tonight at 6-9 PM, as well as leaking one of many teaser video trailers for July's CRAZY 4 CULT group show on Vinyl Pulse.com, but I couldn't let this pass.



Reported in the Daily Mail in the UK:

This 60-storey house is for just one family.

India's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is planning a palace in the heart of Mumbai with helipad, health club, hanging gardens and six floors of car parking.

His wife, mother and three children will live there with him, looked after by 600 live-in staff.

Construction has already started on what will eventually be a 175m tower and planners are aiming to complete it in September 2008.

Earlier this year, Forbes rated Mr Ambani as the richest resident Indian with a net worth of US$20.1 billion.

He came 14th in Forbes' 2007 worldwide rankings.

Currently he is chairman of petroleum major Reliance Industries Ltd, India's largest private sector company

The building, already worth £500 million, could start a rush on skyscrapers.

---------------------------------------------

The thing that struck me most is that he number 14 on the Forbes' list. Number 14???? What are these other 13 people living in? This shit is so Fifth Element I don't know what to say? Why 6 floors of parking? For LA reference, that's the Grove's parking lot. And who wants to replicate that? Is this art?

Jensen
G1988: LA