Shipments are already starting to go out for orders from Crazy 4 Cult 5, so be on the lookout. But in the meanwhile wanted to thank Boondock Saints writer/director Troy Duffy and actor David Della Rocco for stopping by the CFC 5 opening reception and checking out their movie in the book.
It's always great when the people who create the movies seen in these art shows stop by and are actually able to be honored in person. Fun stuff.
And our friends over at American McGee's Alice have released a color variant for Kevin Tong's stunning sold-out screenprint he made for the recent G1988 event. Love this colorway. You can CLICK HERE to pre-order this limited edition before it sells out too.
Our E3 tribute to American McGee's Alice art show has made it onto Jay-Z's Life & Times blog. The CRAZIEST part about this blog, which I just found out, is that Jay-Z has to approve EVERY post that goes on the blog. INSANE.
And here's the exclusive video, shot by Levi Maestro, which is great.
Thanks to our friends over at The Hundreds, who followed me for a very busy day and highlighted the successful E3 Alice show we housed last week. Check out the video they produced!
The show opens to the public tomorrow night and there are so many great pieces (including our favorite Mr. Luke Chueh), definitely stop by if you're in the LA area!
Working with Tree House Brands, Spicy Horse and EA has been pretty incredible for this week's special E3 event for American McGee's Alice. When they asked us to curate the work from this show, they had thrown in that a few in-house artists would be contributing to the event. I had explained I'd have to see the work before it's added, and they promise me it would spectacular. I think they understated it.
Graphic designers and game designers from the companies have delivered incredible paintings, screenprints and giclees to the show, and I wanted to showcase a few here on the blog before Thursday's public reception that will run 7-10 PM.
This screenprint by Zeng Shuo, a concept artist for the game, is beautiful! Stunning. She is someone we'd love to work more with, that's for sure. She delivered another piece, this time a giclee print, that's equally as pretty.
And check out Ken Wong, another game designer from Spicy Horse, with his own giclee print, that is one of my favorites.
Again, this show ended up being so good, even the artists we knew nothing about are stellar.
All of the American McGee's Alice inspired posters were revealed today over at OMG Posters. You can see all the stunning pieces by CLICKING HERE.
We will have a limited amount of the posters available on Wednesday and Thursday at the private and public receptions, and then a limited number will be for sale at Alice2Store.com shortly after. These are gonna go fast.
We also are unveiling two beautiful original paintings that will be seen in the show...
Cate Rangel's G1988 debut is stunning...
...and the same goes for Laura Bifano.
It may be the first time these two ladies on the G1988's walls, but trust me, it's not the last.
And lastly, CHECK OUT THE DR. ROMANELLI "Alice" BLAZER by CLICKING HERE.
Please make sure to read the write-up about the blazer. It's so insane.
Remember we have the public reception on Thursday night, and a private E3 party on Wednesday. American will be at both, as will some celeb DJs, but we do have a few spots open for the VIP night as the gallery, so you can email us at gallery1988melrose@gmail.com if you want to attend.
Here's your HUGE reminder that we have a big event at G1988 (Melrose) for E3 with our friends at Treehouse Brand Stores for the new video game "American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns." If you are new to American or the Alice game series...check out the game's trailer...
American creates video games unlike anyone else in the business. It's art more than anything, and he's the most acclaimed auteur working in the industry today. And he'll be at the events on June 8th and 9th, where we celebrate the new game, and over a dozen artists create work inspired by his creativity.
We'll also have an in-gallery installation from Pretty in Plastic and girls in Alice costumes walking around the gallery serving alcohol. AND SOME SURPRISES. So it's a lot to take in, and way too much to miss.
In addition to that chaos, we will have a VERY limited amount of new screenprint posters available for purchase on both nights. These will sell out VERY FAST at G1988, and another quick to sell, limited amount will become available at Alice2Store.com the next day. I figured what better day than today to unveil the first poster. This one is by Kevin Tong, who has quickly become the Jay Bruce of screenprint artists (homeruns every time).
It's incredible. I was going to try my hardest to explain everything, but why not just have Kevin explain it with this Skype interview I had with him yesterday.
Jensen: When we're setting up an event for a video game, we usually go through the normal process of, "Who is a gamer?" with the list of our favorite artists, and sometimes we're shocked by who and who isn't. Would you call yourself a "gamer?"
Kevin Tong: No, I have never owned a console.
J: That's remarkable! Have you went out of your way to avoid them all?
KT: No. I've played video games before and they can be fun, but I never felt compelled to own any.
J: So when I talked to you about "American McGee's Alice" - did you get to researching?
KT: A little bit, but I really just studied the references I was sent [from Madness Returns].
J: So, tell us about your print, which is EPIC. It's a rare occurance that we get an image in, and we can't stop looking at it.
KY: Sometimes I just have a strong idea. It's helpful that Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has such a rich visual history, so I could move round within it. Also, people focus on the Hatter and the Queen and Cheshire Cat, but no one seems to remember the Gryphon.
J: This poster seems so detailed and meticulous. Can you explain your process for something like this? You can get nerdy here.
KT: Thanks for the go ahead on nerdiness. Commencing nerdiness...The whole Gryphon, the grass, the rock, and Alice are hand drawn. I did a pencil sketch and inked my drawing with pens and a brush. The door and the wall of the room are done in Adobe Illustrator. I wanted there to be a distinct stylistic separation of the scenes (interior and exterior) to push the "otherworldly" sensation and the fantasy. I actually took some detailed process shots for the hand drawn parts. I was planning to upload a process presentation to my site.
J: And how many colors is it and what size?
KT: The poster is a six color screen print and is 24 x 36 inches.
J: A lot of your prints seem to tell their own independent stories that we can only assume you have all written out in your head. Does this print, with the emotion seen in the image, have it's own story?
KT: Not really. I don't really try to tell detailed stories because that's what a writer is for. I just like to communicate ideas. I see no reason why a massive, terrifying looking creature can't have a pleasant introduction to a young girl, so I drew them shaking hands.
J: That's reasonable. Lastly, with the recent boom in screenprint art and the idea that companies are now reaching out to artists like you to create alternative illustrations, is this something you're into, and do you see the artform/business going in this direction?
KT: Sounds great. I have worked for companies to produce screen printed art before. The toughest part is that as outsiders they sometimes have unrealistic ideas or don't get the nature of screen printing and making a screen printed poster. I like working with anyone who has a cool idea. Screen printed posters will probably never be the mainstream because it requires thinking differently than making other products. i.e. Instead of making a million of something, let's make only 100. Instead of unlimited colors and holographic foil, let's just use four colors. Gee, this sold out, instead of making more, let's just not do that and move on, etc. It really crashes with traditional business models and whenever people try to break or bend the rules, the people who are committed to the art, artists, and the "scene" don't like that.
J: Good points. BUT will you be hanging out at the opening party for American McGee's Alice with us at G1988? That's the most important question?
With only a dozen of the "Don't Worry" print available in the entire Olly Moss show (get one of the last ones by CLICKING HERE), we don't have a whole lot to do except get excited, and ready, for our upcoming shows. The end of May/beginning of June is going to be a VERY busy time at both locations, and it's time to make the announcements.
First up, we're proud to announce "Baggage & Freedom," a solo exhibit from D. Ross, better known as "Scribe." We've been excited about this one for quite some time, and you can see more of his work at his website by CLICKING HERE. He's well known for his paintings, custom toys and sculptures, and has become one of the most sought after vinyl toy artists in the past few years. Scribe will be in Los Angeles for the reception and doing some pretty cool limited time installations in the gallery, so make sure you come to the opening on Thursday, May 26th from 7-10 PM at G1988: Melrose.
And next, with our friends at Treehouse Brand Stores, we follow the lead of the E3 convention that will be in town, and celebrate American McGee's Alice video game series, a groundbreaking group of video games that puts art in the forefront of your console. With the release of his newest game, American McGee's Alice: Madness Returns, we'll be celebrating at G1988: Melrose with an art show and party you won't want to miss. We're especially stoked to have American on hand for this! You can learn more about the game by CLICKING HERE.
With artwork, inspired by the video game series, from G1988 regulars like NC Winters, Chet Zar, Ruel Pascual and Luke Chueh, G1988 newcomers like Alex CF, Cate Rangel and Adam S. Doyle. In addition to that work, we'll have VERY limited edition screenprints inspired by the game from Rhys Cooper, Kevin Tong, Ken Taylor, James Flames, Phantom City Creative and Angryblue. Also, making his G1988 debut, clothing designer Dr. Romanelli will unveil his creation for the game and American McGee, which I can't wait to see. AND if that wasn't enough, we'll have artwork actual Alice game designers, which will include sketches and notes from the game's creation, girls in Alice costumes serving drinks and celebrity DJs. There's a special E3 private reception on Wednesday, June 8th and a public reception on June 9th, both from 7-10 PM. You'll hang out at this one if you know what's good for you.
When we opened the gallery 7 years ago, in the back of mind I always knew what my dream show would be. But it was so random, so obscure, I never thought it could see the light of day. Here's the light...
Gallery1988: Venice will open "Camp Firewood: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Wet Hot American Summer," with 60 artists paying tribute to the classic cult comedy. If you've never seen Wet Hot American Summer, you are seriously missing out. Since it's release in 2001, it's paicked up quite an audience, and the stars of the movie have picked up some extremely successful careers (Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Jimmy Fallon head writer AD Miles, Amy Poehler, Joe Lo Truglio, Judah Friedlander). Created by the brains behind the MTV sketch show "The State," this movie is an absurd spoof of the 1980's sleepover camp (Meatballs-esque) comedy. You can check out the trailer by CLICKING HERE. And we're insanely privileged to have the movie's director and co-writer, David Wain, to host the art show! DREAMS DO COME TRUE. AND, we'll be producing a screening, along with the Q&A podcast with Jeff Goldsmith, but we'll have more details on that later. If you haven't seen the movie, it was currently added to Netflix streaming, so you have no excise now. (p.s. it's NSFW). Then come celebrate the movie's anniversary with us at G1988: Venice on June 10th, from 7-10 PM.
