Monday, March 31, 2008

GROW UP!!!!



Oh man, this nostalgia is beginning to hurt. Tomorrow night, Tuesday night, 7-10 PM! TOYS! opens at G1988: Los Angeles.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Saturday Night Fever

I think it's because I've been in the Melrose gallery watching this new exhibit come together in an incredible awesome way for the past few days - but I couldn't feel better about 1988 right now. The Stella show opened last night in SF to a great crowd and response, plowing through original art, and forcing Katie to spend 3 straight hours on just returning print inquiry emails today. While in LA, we're in the go-home weekend for our Mattel-sponsored shin-dig, "TOYS!" - and just finished a gallery installation (from that team that brought you the Cheshire Cat pink fur madness last year) that is going to make you freak out and have flashbacks to when you read books only because Levar Burton suggested them to you on Reading Rainbow. You know what? I don't want to spoil most of the art, but here are some very detailed, and out of context, pictures of parts of the gallery installation. It's like FAO Schwartz up in this bitch.







Yes, that's a Hit Stix. Yes, that's orange Hot Wheels tracks looped around the space. And yes, that's a Teddy Ruxpin (and for those with super eyes, yes, that's a My Buddy and Popple). That's just little parts keep in mind. And yes, it opens this Tuesday night, April 1st, 7-10 PM at our Los Angeles gallery. Come early, I'll be the one sweating. You'll be the one having fun.

Remember, this show will feature dozens of customized Hot Wheels VW Vans, which you've previewed on this blog quite a few times, but it also has almost 100 paintings, all influenced by ANY childhood toy. One of them by Mark Brown, was previewed on our recent email blast, then posted on Juxtapoz.com (not too shabby, considering that is Mark's FIRST GALLERY EXHIBITED PAINTING EVER). So here's some more peeks at paintings (including the Mark Brown I used capital letters about), and two vans that went that extra mile...

Brandon Sopinsky



Scott Scheidly



Mark Brown



Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters (p.s. INSANE)



Noferin



Le Merde



What do I have to do make sure you know how dope this show is going to be? Let's put it this way. If CNN (the channel, not the dismantled 1990's NY rap duo) is covering it, so should you.

And in unrelated news, we're very excited to announce that 1988 is adding a new talent to its list of represented artists (the first new addition in over a year).



The machine we call Angry Woebots (and the government called Aaron Martin) has joined the 1988 family. You've already seen the Hawaii native in numerous group shows at both locations (and will see him this Tuesday in "TOYS!" and in the same capacity throughout 2008), and now we'll be growing into more focused shows and promotion, both in LA and SF in 2009, and then solos to quickly follow! We literally couldn't be more excited, especially with some plans in the works to create some great product as well. We're honored that he will be calling us home in California next year, and we're stoked to say, "We're in the panda business." Mahalo, Aaron.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Friday, March 28, 2008

Stella Im Hultberg Artwork

Stella's new show can be seen here! The artwork is now available for purchase...

http://g1988silentspring88.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Phone Call

Transcript of a phone call from earlier:

Me: Gallery 1988...
Caller: Hi, do you guys represent Carrie Underwood?
Me: Um, who?
Caller: Carrie Underwood.
Me: Like the American Idol girl?
Caller: Yes.
Me: Then no. We're an art gallery.
Caller: Right, but do you represent her?
Me: Like her art?
Caller: No. Just her in general.
Me: Oh, no we don't.
Caller: (confused) Uh, ok.
(hangs up)

Things are crazy around here. Oh, in other news, we are now representing Chikezie.

Jensen
G1988: LA

* but all jokes aside, look out for the newest representation announcement for G1988, adding another powerhouse artist to its roster, posted here on the blog this weekend!

Aw Man

And the best delivery of artwork for an upcoming show of all time goes to......Allison Torneros! Since she is on a well deserved vacation out of the country, leaving right after college graduation, saying good bye to her best school pals and Bob Golic as a dorm advisor (Saved by the Bell: The New Class, anyone?), Allison had a bud of hers drop off her 2 pieces for the TOYS! show -



I'm not kidding. Allison had a friend, dressed as a pot leaf, promoting an LA medical marijuana clinic, bring in the artwork. It was rather incredible and surreal. But he didn't really think it was a big deal. He was actually really over my "Am I in a David Lynch film?" response. He was like, "Dude, here are the paintings. I have a job to do." I'm a not a weed guy, but I'm tending to think peope who just see this dude walking around, doing errands to friends, immediately feel like they are...or on peyote. And yes, the paintings are wrapped in Spongebob beach towels.

Wanna see what Allison delivered? Come see her two Barbie-inspired beauties on April 1 when we open TOYS at our LA location, 7-10 PM!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Street Presence

We got our sign up at the SF gallery! No more complaining that we're hard to find. It's a huge sign - 8FT!



A big THANK YOU to Jean and Tom for creating it and to David for transporting it into the city!


And in Stella news... you know how I told you that 5% of the mini print sets will have an original Hultberg drawing hidden inside? Well, here's a sneak peek of one of these drawings...



Again, the print sets will be released at the opening reception of Stella's show this Friday in SF. If you cannot make it to the opening, we'll be taking phone and email orders starting this Saturday, March 29th at 12PM PST.

You can see the full set and "Lovely Day" print below, about three posts down...

Katie
G1988: SF

Sunday, March 23, 2008

RZA



From us to you.

Jensen & Katie
G1988

Thursday, March 20, 2008

March Mattness

It's the first day of the March Madness NCAA basketball tournament, a morning I used to ditch school to watch all the first round match-ups, rooting for schools I couldn't point out on a map if my life depended on it (I still don't know where Gonzaga is). But this year I can't wonder aloud where Belmont is, or even contemplate where the hell Winthrop is, cause I'm here at the gallery overwhelmed with TOYS! artwork delivery, and putting the final touches on our gallerys' 2009 schedules. I guess the good news is I'll only get small doses of Dick Vitale.

We've been focusing so much on the customized Hot Wheels vans, I want to make sure you know how seriously amazing the paintings portion of the TOYS! show is going to end up. So to prove this point I present exhibits A and B.

Exhibit A: Matt Dangler's entry



Exhibit B: Camilla d'Errico's entry



Your honor, the show opens April 1, 2008 with an opening reception from 7-10 PM. I rest my case.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Silent Spring

Stella IM Hultberg's much anticipated solo show finally opens NEXT FRIDAY! To celebrate this exciting show we're releasing Stella mini chase prints and one new larger print!

Here's the mini print set...



The sets contain four Stella prints, including

"Nowhere Near"
"Bruised"
"November"
"Always..."

and 10% of the sets will also have a hidden chase print.

Each giclee print is 4 x 5 inches and the sets are limited edition of 500. They're printed on Sommerset Velvet Fine Art paper and will be signed and numbered by Stella. We'll be selling the sets for $80.00 each.

Oh yea, and did I mention that 25 of the sets will also have an original Stella IM Hultberg 4 x 5 inch drawing? Yep, that's right!

We're also releasing a larger giclee print from the new show...



"Lovely Day"
giclee print on Sommerset Velvet Fine Art paper
16 x 20 inches
limited edition of 100
signed and numbered
$150.00

These new prints will be released at the opening reception of the show on March 28th. You lucky SF people! Starting March 29th, the prints will be available for purchase over the telephone or email.

(415) 409-1376
gallery1988sf@gmail.com

Katie
G1988: SF

Saturday, March 15, 2008

The Little Pressler That Could

As promised, I'll keep breaking you off with sweet previews of the customized Hot Wheels vans that will be displayed at our LA gallery on April 1st, for "TOYS!" This show will celebrate the childhood gems we cherished in our youth, as well as specifically celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels with these speed demons. Today we check out Dave Pressler's contribution, a piece he calls "High Octane Endorphin, Old #5."









The Dr. Christian Troy of the art world, Pressler gives the van a total face lift, replacing the 70's nostalgia for his familiar pig character, ready to break speed limits on the 101. I've always loved Dave, and we've been showing that pig off and on since our first year in 2004, so this has me smiling all day.

And this is only the first two I've shown!!!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

VANity

As we stare at the orange and yellow goodness that is Andrew Bell's "Burning Desire," which will be up here at our Los Angeles gallery until the 27th, we sometimes wish this exhibit would never go away. But luckily we have another incredible show opening on April 1st, when "TOYS" opens.



This show, over a year in the making, will be a tribute to the childhood gems we cherished before video games did all the work for us, the items that helped develop our imagination and creativity, all the while keeping us busy and out of our parents' hair. There really are two elements that make up this amazing theme show. The first aspect will have over 50 artists painting and creating pieces inspired by their favorite toys of yesteryear, employing some of the favorites seen here on 1988's walls throughout the years. Two examples of these pieces are seen above by Greg Simkins and Ken Garduno. And the second element, as if that wasn't enough, has just about 40 artists celebrating the 40th anniversary of Hot Wheels, in conjunction with our friends at Mattel, customizing 9 x 5 inch blank Hot Wheels vans in their own styles! Here's the blank van each artist was given:





And here's your first sneak peek at one of the customized vans - this one from Jon Bugerman & Stu Witter from the UK.









I mean, for reals? It's THAT good. And all of them I've seen/received so far are THAT good too! VinylPulse.com featured the Burgerman/Witter car today also, highlighting the Van customizing, but they also list the entire roster of artists getting behind the wheel. You can read that baby by clicking here. We're going to keep giving you nice little sneak peeks right up to the show, including both vans and paintings, so keep an eye on this blog for more, including some early looks at the ACTUAL full sized Hot Wheel concept cars that will be parked at the opening reception on the 1st! KIT and Hasslehoff eat your heart out!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Michael Bolton

I don't know if you've ever noticed, but if you've bought something here at 1988: LA before, you usually notice a pretty long wait between the purchase and the moment you walk outside the door. This momentary pause usually involved me putting the info into our database, taking your money/payment method, then a long and awkward 1 minute pause as we wait for your receipt to print out. It's actually very sad how slow our printer is, and that's mostly because it was a red light $22 special when we first opened the gallery in 2004. Especially at openings where a hundred people are lined up to buy something, this is by far the worst part of this location. But today my friends, that wait will no longer exist.

In an obvious tribute to this:



....we did this:













And just like that, our old school printer, which once bragged on the box that it can print 3 pages per minute, was in a dumpster, MAKING WAY FOR THIS:



We call it Tito, and it's a laser printer. It prints 23 pages per minute and that awkward moment between us, while all I want a printed invoice and all you want is to leave, is OVER. It's magical.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Thursday, March 6, 2008

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I was out of town for these past few days. I went to NY for the first time as an adult and I had the most amazing trip! We went to the MET and the Natural History Museum. We stayed in SOHO and Brooklyn and ate more food than I thought was physically possible. I love love love New York and I can't wait to go back. It was a very short trip, but it was so much fun. I'm a bit jealous of you people that live out there.

But I did arrive back at the SF gallery to a VERY nice surprise...



Yep, that's right! The Travis Lampe prints are signed and will be released tomorrow!

Travis Lampe
Accidental Mishap (left image)
giclee print on Sommerset Velvet Fine Art paper
12 x 12 inches
limited edition of 25
$100.00

Travis Lampe
Mountaintop Scuffle (right image)
giclee print on Sommerset Velvet Fine Art paper
12 x 12 inches
limited edition of 25
$100.00

Or both prints can be sold together for $175.00!

These will be sold exclusively at G1988 San Francisco, (415) 409-1376.

Katie
G1988 SF

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Land of Ladies

Congrats to Andrew Bell, who had an incredibly successful opening reception last night here at the Los Angeles G1988 location, and we strongly suggest you swing by the gallery and see the awesome installation Andrew, with help from his girlfriend Jackie, put together to compliment the great work. Most has sold, but there are some choice pieces left, which you can further investigate by clicking here. Sales aren't totally updated, but I think most are in line. But above all, the staff at Gallery 1988 would like to thank Andrew for an incredible show and gallery experience! It will be hanging until March 27th, so I don't wanna hear any of this, "I'm really busy right now" stuff.

Across the street today, there has been literally a line of about 50 models going in and out of the "People's Revolution PR" storefront since noon. What I at first thought was a model call, is actually a day of filming for "The Hills," but I'll keep you up to date on that one if I can get any other funny pictures (OMG - LC IS HERE!?!?! TTYL). For now, I don't think everyone's job has something like this going on, so I sent, assistant to all things Holy, Cory, over there to take pictures (I figured I would be the totally creepy guy taking pics if I did it myself).







Speaking of girls, we're finally releasing what is hands down one of my favorite prints we've ever done...



Allison Torneros
"The City"
11 x 14 inches
giclee print on archival paper
hand signed and numbered edition of 88
$75

This print is stunning in person, and at that price, you really can't lose. They are released today, so you can call or email us at gallery1988@aol.com to order.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

I Was Gonna Put 'Bells Are Ringing,' But I Stopped Myself....Kinda

Tonight....Tonight.....Tonight (to be said like Phil Collins, not a Monster Truck rally)....

Andrew Bell "Burning Desire" opening reception (artist in attendance)
Gallery 1988: Los Angeles
7-10 PM









CLICK HERE to see the work!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Monday, March 3, 2008

Pictures Galore

We got a pretty brilliant solo show opening up here at the Los Angeles gallery tomorrow night, March 4th, from 7-10 PM with NY artist Andrew Bell, in an art festival he's calling, "Burning Desire." This show is like a Hobo Stew, it has EVERYTHING in it. Paintings, drawings, prototype vinyl toys for sale, vinyl toys, large furniture-like sculptures and a HUGE gallery installation. Here's an in-action pic of Andrew working with the Creatures in his Laptop.



This is going to be a seriously fun show, so if you're in the hood, make sure to swing by our LA location tomorrow night, 7 - 10 PM. We will be posting a link to pre buy all the artwork on our website, gallery1988.com, on the LA side top banner tomorrow also during the day! Another sneak peak:



Oh, and LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!



We just got these awesome G1988: LA stickers from our friend Rick at stickyricks.net and only had them available in the gallery for a few days....and already someone has defaced property with them! Which we do not endorse. At all. Like ever. Nope. Pretty sweet photo though! We'll have more of these stickers available at the opening tomorrow night!

And our good friend Dan Goodsell, a.k.a. the brains and syrup behind Mr. Toast, had a show the other night at Silverlake's Monkeyhouse Toys. Goodsell, never one to take a a break, created over 100 pieces to fill up the space. Becky, gallery assistant to the stars, was there to take some pics.



More red dots than a pimple faced teen!



Mr. Goodsell with his buffet of creations.

I think the show is up for only 2 weeks, so try your hardest to swing by Monkeyhouse Toys and check out how fun art can be when you depict breakfast foods only!

Again, swing on through tomorrow night, you won't regret it!

Jensen
G1988: LA