We Are A Million Bits

It gets no better. I think I'll be on a 7 day high, based off the release of Rockstar Games' Weds. release of "Midnight Club: Los Angeles," not just cause it's an amazing game for my PS3...



...but because it's an almost perfect rendering of the Los Angeles, the city I've lived in my whole life. Whether it's Amoeba Records or The Standard Hotel on Sunset, Mann's Chinese on Hollywood, or Staples Center downtown - if it's a stand out - it's in the game. Which brings me to my high. Right there, snuggled on the corner of Melrose and La Brea, across the street from the Hollywood landmark Pink's Hot Dogs, is GALLERY 1988! I was playing last night, and you couldn't imagine my shock to see this...(P.S. My girlfriend and I took photos off the screen from our phones)





I mean, that might be the coolest thing in the entire world! You can even see picture frames inside! For reals...

And shouts out to El Maz and Slick, as both have graffiti represented in the game as well. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.

But to be honest, it's not the first time I may have made it in to a video game...



Use the code "CALIFORNIA" - and everyone's kinda-favorite gallery owner is available for signing in the free agent pool. Check out the number on my jersey too, a year before the gallery opened I was still repping the number. And yes, I did ask the game developers to give me the tight 80's shorts and goggles. And no, I have no idea why they gave me such a small head.





And with that...

Jensen
G1988: LA

A Day Of Opportunities....

What is usually just "The Day Before Halloween" quickly turns into a serious day of opportunity.

In San Francisco tonight, we open "Paper Pushers" - a monsterous show with over 300 pieces, all on paper, with incredible prices. Again, some serious opportunities. Cherri Wood, anyone? She's incredible, as are a ton of new names in the bunch. The opening reception will be tonight in SF, from 7-10 PM. But blog readers....

http://www.g1988preview.blogspot.com

There's your preview that YOU CAN purchase from, just cut and paste away. And then call Katie, she's holding down the fort at the SF gallery today. You're welcome on that one.

And lastly, more focused on the most important thing to me....ME. Here's the whole final Hot Karl performance from last week (no matter what the date on the video says) in Pasadena. It's well over 40 minutes, but rather fun to watch, especially as you probably could never imagine me subtly grabbing my crotch and rhyming words in an aggressive manner. It's NOT SAFE FOR WORK, as I have the mouth of a truck driving sailor who gets paid for every f-word I release. With my mom on stage. So here you go..



And with that, Hot Karl is dead. MORE ART FOR EVERYONE in return!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Top That!

I want to thank everyone who came out last night to see me give the ole' heev-ho to my alter-ego, as I had an amazing time and was stoked at the turn out. Make sure you don't miss our next performance on Novem...I'm joking. It's dead. But what a way to go out.

But truthfully, as good as I feel I did...I could never beat this...



Again, thank you to everyone who attended.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Crazy 4 Doing This....

It's that time again....the new CRAZY4CULT.com print release is on Oct. 24, Wednesday, at Noon PST. And here that puppy is...



Nathan Ota
"Candy Colored Clown"
11 x 14 inches
edition of 50, each hand signed and numbered by the artist
giclee print on fine art archival paper
$100.00 each

Besides being inspired by one of my David Lynch favs, Nathan's piece was one of the most admired from the Crazy 4 Cult show back in July. The print is perfect. Katie, who does our printing up in SF, nailed this one! I definately reccomend picking this one up! All the info is on CRAZY4CULT.com, but you all know to call either the LA or SF gallery on the 24th at Noon PST. Right?

And don't forget...



Yes, that's me and that's what I used to. And I'm doing it one last time!



It's going to be a lot of fun...and yes, my Mom will be involved in the stage show. We practiced last night and let's just say...I don't think it was enough practice. OH, and remember....it's all in celebration of my new book (with bandmember Matty Boom) called "Just Can't Get Enough" from Abrams now available on Amazon.com. We'll also have some at the show. I really would love to see you there. We go on around 10ish.

Mazel Tov.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Party, Party, Party

So, for those who don't know, before Katie and I opened the gallery in 2004 I was in a rap group (YES, a rap group) called Hot Karl and we were signed to Interscope Records and EMI Publishing. I had won a daily radio rap battle for a record 45 days here in LA, and was then met with a handful of record label offers. What started as a joke (I called into the radio station on the way home from a college internship and made up "Hot Karl" literally at the last minute) became a SERIOUS payday, which was always VERY weird. We worked with Kanye West, Redman, Mya, Fabolous, Black Eyed Peas, Sugar Ray and DJ Clue, were featured on the video game NBA Live (where I was a secret character), opened up for heroes of mine (Kool Moe Dee, Slick Rick, Phife Dog, Big Daddy Kane, etc.) and just altogether had a good time. I ended up releasing a CD in 2005 called "The Great Escape," when I had already left Interscope, at a label called Headless Heroes. Truth is, I didn't really want to rap anymore (as seen in the title). I had been through a pretty serious affair in the biz and was ready to move on, but I also wanted to see a CD in the stores that meant something to me. And that was it.

We did a small run to promote the album, but our hearts weren't in it - and we knew it. And those were our last shows. I have since focused 100% on the gallery, while the two other members of the group have went on to grow up as well. Matty Boom has co-written a script with Ricky Gervais called "The Other Side Of The Truth" which he will co-direct with the British icon (who will star in it) and Sancho, our DJ, is married, a house owner and making a great living promoting other music acts online. All growns up.

Which brings me to two different things....



Matty Boom and I have written a book called "Just Can't Get Enough" from Abrams Publishing, which you can get anywhere, including Amazon.com and Urban Outfitters in November. If you like the writing here on the blog (and want to see what Ricky Gervais likes so much from Matty) you should pick it up. It's a book (made to be a Trapper Keeper) that chronicles photos of 80's toys and essays from us about our memories. I think you'll think it's funny, as we wax poetic on Lite Brite, Madballs, M.U.S.C.L.E. Men, Rainbow Brite, the 6 foot G.I. Joe aircraft carrier and many other delights from the 80's. It's a good read and would like to know what you think for sure.

AAAAANNNNDDDD...

We're having a release party for the book this Friday, October 19th.



Yes, we will perform as a group for the last time ever, and you will see something you probably can't even imagine in your head - me rapping. All in the name of the new book! It's a free show at the Terrace Restaurant in Pasadena. The doors open at 9, which means we'll most likely go on at 10ish. I promise you it will be a fun time, and if you ever thought to yourself, "Jensen used to rap? That is so odd." Well, this will be the last chance to actually see this weird attribute and my former life.

I hope to see all of you there.

Jensen
G1988: LA