Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Full Court Press

We've been so busy here at Gallery1988: LA, we haven't been able to spotlight any of the cool coverage we got for the Under The Influence: Stan Lee art show, and I've never been one to link them up on here, but I do like videos:



Blair Butler of G4 is still my favorite female youth based-network correspondent (take that, Suchin Pak!), and make sure to stick around to see Stan Lee talk about the show.

Also thanks to The Hundred's Blog, NotCot, Laughing Squid, Vinyl Pulse, Old Man Musings, LA Weekly.com, Wizard Magazine, Flavorpill, Digg, The LA Times (who gave us one of those sweet little BEST BET markings for the show), Metromix, Hypebeast, Canada's National Post, The Huffington Post (!!!), Collider, and all the other great outlets that picked the show up for coverage.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Holy Day

So Sunday has come, and we still have cases of the Vivisect Playset toys AVAILABLE! Not tons, but enough to fill your undying need.

They don't actually come out until Feb. 7th, so this is your only chance for quite some time. They are $7.99 each and the cases have 24 blind boxes of toys in them, and it's way too early to do the math, so I'll leave that up to you. Same reason you get no pics yet. But trust me, it was a GREAT event with lots of fun having all the artists there. YES, ALL THE ARTISTS. Good to see Thomas Han (with incredible fake moustache), and hoping he makes it a habit (the appearance, not the stache).

We're open today 12-4 PM, so you can call us at 323-937-7088, or email us at gallery1988@aol.com. We're closed Monday and back open 11-6 on Tuesday, so we'll talk soon, right?

Jensen
G1988: LA

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Sunz of Man

Sun shining, bright as crap for tonight's Vivisect Playset toy release party here at Gallery 1988: Los Angeles (6-9 PM). Got a little scary there for a minute, as LA was looking that one part on the Universal Studios tram tour where that flood totally slams onto that small little town (I'd rather it be the Miami Vice stunt show in LA, word to Tubbs). So join us tonight, as this amazing toy set, all spawned from a postcard designed by Katie for the 2nd Vivisect Playset artshow (see below) and thinking, "WOW, this would make one set vinyl toy set." And now it's gonna come to life!



Speaking of postcards, what better time to update you on the next two shows in Los Angeles...

"The Long Arm of the Paw" - Luke Chueh, Mark Bodnar and Yosuke Ueno



"Burning Desire" - Andrew Bell Solo Show



And to keep it random, I'll throw in a song of the day. I always argue that Kanye West is way better producer and songwriter than rapper (and I mean by eons), and this is proof. Here is a alt rock cover of Kanye's "Flashing Lights" by Toronto's Colin Munroe and you really wouldn't know it was a cover if I didn't tell you....AND I think it would be a smash on its own. You tell me.



Jensen
G1988: LA

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Touch Down

Not I'm not talking about Tom Brady, Eli Manning and Ickey Woods. I'm talking about some players out in them treacherous Phillipines.



Jensen
G1988: LA

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Happy, Happy, Toy, Toy!

We're contemplating changing the name of the gallery from 1988 to Gallery Herpes Simplex 2. Cause right when it dies down and you think you have it under control, it flares back up.

This Saturday, Jan. 26th, we have another highly anticipated event here at Gallery 1988: Los Angeles. The release party for the StrangeCo/Gallery 1988/Luke Chueh powerhouse, Vivisect Playset vinyl toy series. The party will kick off at 6 PM (it will run until 9 PM), and we expect the artists to be in attendance, ready to sign their respective additions to the awesome set.

For those semi-new to this art scene, the Vivisect Playset is a limited edition group of boutique vinyl toys based on an art show we've had for the past few years, curated and born from the mind of Luke Chueh. So...sort of like the Smurfs we all collected as kids, but these are way cooler and limited (almost like pieces of art themselves). This set features toys designed by 1988 regulars Luke Chueh, Joe Ledbetter, Greg "Craola" Simkins, Thomas Han, Amanda Visell, Peter Gronquist and Anthony Ausgang and look like thisssss:



They come "blind box," meaning you buy just a nice little box, and it could any of the toys, or some special surprise, inside. So it becomes a real collector frenzy, especially as some are harder to get the others, and some will seem totally impossible to find (but they aren't). You might just see people ripping open the box, looking into the skies and screaming in frustration trying to find that damn Peter Groqnuist dinosaur thingee to complete their set. All depends on sweet little ratio numbers, which tell you the chances of getting a certain figure per purchase. And they only run $7.99 each figure. You could get a chocolate bar, or you could get a chance to meet Gene Wilder, up to the Gods (or foreign manufacturers sending them back on boats).

I love cool vinyl toys like these cause it really does make people who have never bought a thing, or stepped foot into the gallery, stoked to pick one up. Even Yason, a co-worker of my girlfriend, saw the Amanda Visell elephant...





...and now he's jonesing to get it. And he hates everything.

So it's gonna be a fun night and I totally suggest stopping through. The least you can do is say hello to Yason.

Get them before they are gone.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Ready, THIS, Go!

I feel like I've been waiting to post about this for months, and now the time has come....

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Introducing the first ever G1988 Mini Print Chase Set (TM) (C) (R) (OTHER LETTERS), with our first set dedicated to LA artist Luke Chueh. Releasing on Feb. 5, at the 3-man show "Long Arm Of The Paw," where Luke will also be exhibiting new originals, this is one of my favorite things we've ever sold at the gallery, hands down!

Featuring 4 of Luke's most popular, and SOLD OUT, 1988 print images (I Asked For Scrambled, The Alchemist, Another Useless Gift Revisted and Possessed) these prints come as a set and each print is 4 x 5 inches. Each print will be signed, while the set, an edition of 500, is hand numbered by Luke. AND on top of all that...1 in 10 sets will have a chase mini print (1st ever!) of what is hands down Luke's most sought after, and now unattainable, print (4x4 inches, edition of 50).

So you get all 4 of these extremely popular prints, a 10% chance to get a super limited (SUPER FRENZIED) print - all in a nice little set - for $80!

You really get no better. And this is just the first artist! Collect them all, trade with friends, eat a veggie burger!

Man, it feels good to announce that one.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Thursday, January 17, 2008

UPCOMING SAN FRANCISCO SHOW...




Isaac Pierro and Finn hanging out in the gallery...



Katie
G1988SF

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Last 2 Rows of the Classroom

As an offically annointed hip-hop scholar, I like to hide behind my ridiculous knowledge of rap music's history making people think I know EVERYTHING. Sometimes I'll just yell out that Romany Malco, one of the leads in Judd Apatow's "40 Year Old Virgin," was also a member of one-hit-wonder rap group, The College Boyz. Or maybe I'll just start to recite Kid Sensation's lyrics from the weird regional song he did with Ken Griffey Jr.? Or I could always list every album ever released featuring Prince Paul production. I tend to think though, that if I let you know, that I know were Jay-Z's name originated (he was Jaz's hype-man), then you might think I also know the hydrolysis of primary halogenoalkanes, how to utilize the quadratic equation or even how to balance a checkbook. It's kind of proven.

Anyway, I speak of this only because I HATE where hip-hop has went. It's pretty crappy and we all agree. But I think we've been saved. I've been talking up these guys, The Cool Kids, for about 6 months since a friend, Nick Catchdubs, put me onto them, and I've been sort of hooked. And now they are playing in Los Angeles this Friday.

It'll be Jan. 19th at the Echoplex on Glendale,and you should really check these guys out if you are an 80's/90's rap fan. I've been pitching them as "Camp Lo x pre-hippie Beastie Boys x The Clipse x Masta Ace," and there is nothing wrong with that. Recently named one of Rolling Stone's Artists To Watch in 2008 and signing to Lady Sov's old stomping grounds, Chocolate Industries, they recently showed up in this commercial for Rhapsody:



Originally from Illinois, Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish met on MySpace (that's a sign of the times) and it's pretty obvious who their influences are. They've toured with M.I.A., had music in an NBA Live video game (an alumni I'm apart of as well) and had music on Entourage (an alumni I was rejected from).

"Black Mags" (now available on ITunes)



"88"



"I'm Mikey"



Anyway, like I said a few weeks ago, we barely endorse stuff over here at 1988, and we have nothing to do with the show (which we should!! I mean, they have a song called "88!" HELLO???), but I plan on going, so maybe I'll see you there. I'll be the one in the "Bring Back Positive K" shirt.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

All Systems Go!!!!

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Now Available:

Luke Chueh
Rocket
16x20 inches
giclee print on archival paper
hand signed and numbered edition of 50
$150

You can call the LA gallery at (323) 937 - 7088 or email us at gallery1988@aol.com to order.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Movies

Art shows in full speed for January, Sunday served as a day at the movies, as I saw the brilliant "Orphanage," and wondered why more people aren't talking about this shocking thriller. Which then led me to conjure up the power to create my Top 20 Movies list, a tradition I've followed every year since my early teens. But now with a nice little blog audience and 2007 coming to a close...it will go further than just a pink piece of paper I would use as a bookmark for 12 months. Being a huge movie buff and DVD (and now Blu-Ray) collector, I take this stuff a little too serious. Here's my proof:

20. The Hoax

19. The Ten

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The brains behind a former #1 on my list, Wet Hot American Summer, as well as TV love fests Stella and The State, make this absurdist sketch comedy flick about The Ten Commandments. Guest shots from Winona Ryder, the kid from The OC who wears the skinny jeans, Paul Rudd, Gretchen Mol and Liev Schreiber round out a ridiculous script. This hits on DVD this Tuesday, so make sure you see what you missed.

18. The Orphanage

You know how every once in a while you ask someone, "Have you ever seen Jacob's Ladder?" and they say, "No." Then you go crazy and say, "Aw man, you're gonna be so scared!" Here's a new one for you.

17. Transformers

Beautiful, poignant independent film about one boys struggle with his talking car. Reminds me of "The Bicycle Thief." I can make all the jokes I want, but I loved seeing it in the theatre and that's good enough for me. And on DVD I can fast forward through John Turturro's part.

16. Superbad

15. The Simpsons Movie

It wasn't EXACTLY what I wanted, but I've been waiting 15 years for it, so I figured #15 fit.

14. Into the Wild

All Hail Hal Holbrook!

13. Once

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The Musical genre has been rather watered down over the past decade, as I'd rather watch my Little Shop of Horrors DVD than pay money to see Hairspray or The Producers song versions (John and Mel can't REALLY be happy about them, can they?), but out of nowhere comes "Once." On a budget that could buy a Ron English painting, they made a movie that doesn't seem forced at all, with a cute "kinda love" story. If I still loved music, I would probably put this soundtrack as my favorite album of the year.

12. Year of the Dog

My fav writer Mike White makes his directoral debut in this weird tale where Molly Shannon plays a dog lover, able to connect with animals way better than interact with other humans. It's got the same awkward feeling you get watching Extras, Larry Sanders or Curb Your Enthusiasm. And after White's former Listmakers Chuck and Buck and The Good Girl, he can do no wrong in my eyes.

11. Ratatouille

10. King of Kong

9. Zodiac

Don't forget this was released in 2007. New Director's Cut on DVD is a must-have, and most likely the last HD-DVD you'll purchase. Procedural movies don't make for good popcorn fodder, but with stinkers like "I Am Legend" on the action front, I'd rather watch Gyllenhall read a file folder for 2 hours on my watch. Fincher doesn't miss, although I'll give him an "ehhh" on "Panic Room." Here's to a great 2008, Benjamin Button!

8. No Country For Old Men

Speaking of no miss; Another List, another Coen Bros. masterpiece. You think the ending stinks? I think you stink.

7. Knocked Up

6. Lives of Others

5. Eastern Promises

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Russian Mafia movies will always break into my top 5. Movies with Viggo's unit exposed will always make yours.

4. Gone Baby Gone

Dear Ben Affleck, do this ONLY. Good to see white rapper Slaine on the second career choice tip. As a fellow second career white rapper, I'm always rooting for things like this. Here's to hoping some Anticon dude picks up investment banking.

3. Lars and the Real Girl

2. Juno

Diablo Cody emerges as the 21st century Woody Allen, and Ellen Page secures her spot as the new Natalie Portman. You can only hate it cause everyone else loves it and it has songs by the Moldy Peaches in it, and you think only you should know about the Moldy Peaches. Well, I also loved "Garden State" - and choices like those will make Amoeba Music employees cringe on a dime.

and #1....

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1. There Will Be Blood

818'er done good, Paul Thomas Anderson, breaks out of his post "Boogie Knights" Largo box and makes a perfect period character piece with Daniel Day Lewis making every other actor in American movies look like a Rock of Love 2 contestant re-reading dropped dialogue in editing. Doesn't get much better, my friend.

Honorable Mention - Margot at the Wedding, 3:10 To Yuma, The Lookout, Hot Fuzz, Before The Devil Know You're Dead, Enchanted

Movies that may have made it...had I seen them - American Gangster, Michael Clayton, Charlie Wilson's War, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Atonement, Away From Her, The Bourne Ultimatum, Sweeney Todd, Waitress, Persepolis and I'm sure others.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Day After

Someone pinch me.

Still sinking in. I'll have better updates and pictures later today, and available artwork should start trickling onto gallery1988.com in the next few days.

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Until then, I'm going to go back in time and tell 12-year-old Jensen about meeting Stan last night.

Pics via Mark Mauer at LA Weekly and Luke Chueh.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Monday, January 7, 2008

BEST. PHONE CALL. EVER.

Us (picking up phone): 1988...

Caller: Um, hi. What time is tomorrow's performance?

Us: Performance? We have an art show tomorrow. It's from 7-11 PM.

Caller: There's no performance?

Us: No. Not that we know of.

Caller: So, Tommy Lee isn't playing there.

Us: No. We have a Stan Lee-based art show.

Caller: Oh. Thanks anyway.

(Caller hangs up)

I couldn't have written something funnier.

And remember, Stan Lee inspired art show tomorrow, 7-11 PM. Come early, and don't say I didn't warn you. I'll bring the drum set.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Saturday, January 5, 2008

SF to LA

I want to thank Bob Dob and Nathan Ota for coming all the way up to San Francisco last night for the opening of "The Gentlemen's Gang!" Unfortunately, Daniel Peacock is sick and wasn't able to make it! But all three of these guys put together an amazing show! There is still some amazing work available HERE

So, now it's down to LA for STAN LEE!!! I'm heading down tomorrow morning! So excited. And you all should be excited too, cause I'm about to show you Mr. Brandon Bird's AMAZING piece from the show...



There are no words.

See you in LA.

Katie
G1988

Friday, January 4, 2008