Worth A Sponge

This one has been SUPER anticipated....


(click image to enlarge)

Kiersten Essenpreis
"Seinfeldology (99 Seinfeld References)"
giclee print on archival paper
11 x 14 inches
hand-signed, numbered edition of 100
$65.00 each

The limited edition giclee prints of Kiersten's "Idiot Box" painting, which seemed to get more love on the Internet than even Susan Boyle, are finally becoming available! These will be available for purchase on Friday, June 5th starting at Noon PST. You can email us then (we'll have to erase any emails sent before) or call us at (323) 937 - 7088 at Noon PST to place an order. These prints came out great, since Kiersten's detail was so insane we made sure to pick up all the little references.

This will good on your wall, next to all the Superman stuff, and near the cereal boxes.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Gallery Starr

Actor Martin Starr took time out of his daily routine of stealing scenes in "Adventureland" and "Knocked Up" to stop by the gallery in order to meet artist Allison Reimold, who depicted a young Martin during his time on "Freaks & Geeks" for our recent "Idiot Box" art show. Always cool when someone illustrated and paid tribute to in one of our themed shows goes as far as wanting to meet the person they affected so positively. Allison has a lot more coming up with G1988, but first you can check her out at the OTIS Senior BFA show next weekend, as she graduates with flying colors. And check out Martin Starr in September's "The Invention of Lying" starring Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, John Hodgman, Jason Bateman, Jonah Hill, Rob Lowe, Louis CK and everyone else you think is funny.



Jensen
G1988: LA

LA2DAY

Thank you to LA2DAY for covering our "Idiot Box" show! You can see the article here...

http://www.la2day.com/art_design/kill_your_tv_idiot_box_debuts_on_melrose

The show is up for another week, so definitely stop by the LA gallery to check it out in person, if you haven't seen it yet.

As our current shows wind down, we are gearing up for our May shows. We have Mark Brown coming up in LA, which is going to be AMAZING, and a children's book themed group show in SF, which I am personally so excited about. At 27 years old, I am still a huge fan of children's books, and I've been waiting for this show for a long time and it finally opens on May 1st. Lucky blog readers, I have some preview pics for you!


Jeannie Lynn Paske inspired by The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry



Anne-Julie Aubry inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll



Seiji Yonehara inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Charles Perrault



Leontine Greenberg inspired by Scrambled Eggs Super, Dr. Seuss



Tin inspired by The Little Poky Puppy, Gustaf Tenggren

This is just a small sampling of the amazing artwork that's being delivered for this show. We'll post more preview pics in a few days, so stay tuned!

Redefine

A huge thank you to Redefine Magazine for covering both our our current shows!! That is so awesome! Check out the site here...

http://www.redefinemag.com/arts/category/upcoming-art-shows

Thank you, Redefine!

Katie
G1988SF

G Thanks

G4TV posted their video of the Idiot Box opening reception which includes interviews with me, Dennis Haskins, Devin Crane and Misha. Thanks to our friends at G4 and Attack of the Show for the coverage, but no love to Blair Butler for missing this exhibit. I will return her love status when she comes by to check out the art in person. Until then, here's the video...

Video Games - Cheat Codes - In the Field

Jensen
G1988: LA

Poppers

We got a nice little mention by one of our favorite bloggers, Whitney Matheson, over at USAToday.com today and wanted to share...

You can read the whole post by CLICKING HERE.

THANKS, Whitney, for the endorsement...we send one right back.

Jensen

G1988: LA

Recap In A Box

So the smoke has cleared, and we're catching up on paperwork from our "Idiot Box" 5-year Anniversary show, which opened last Thursday night. A total success, the gallery was busy from 7 - 11 PM - and we couldn't be happier with the artwork delivered for this show. And we couldn't thank our host, Dennis "Mr. Belding" Haskins enough. Dennis was more than happy to take photos and sign autographs (on headshots we made for the man, customized by artist Andrew Wilson). Katie's inner-geek was also happy to see Chelsea Handler stop by. Lots of incredible pieces are still available, as well as a group of show specific prints, and you can see these by CLICKING HERE. Here are some pictures from opening night...



The obligatory line/crowd shot.



And now the other angle. What I like to call the "Belding Perspective."



Here's Dennis with gallery assistant, Aileen.



Dennis meeting Andrew Wilson, the sneaky fellow who went to town on Haskins' headshot for the flyer and night's autograph opportunity.



Artist Mark Bodnar, who's LOST inspired piece was "tweeted" about earlier in the day by Kevin Smith, hangs with collector Aris, who left his normal surroundings of NY to hang.



In this bromance, I sort of feel like Andrew is Brody Jenner and I kinda won some crappy TV show to hang with him a few times.



Artist Mylan Nguyen with her TMNT inspired girls. She also got a rather incredible autograph from Mr. Belding that you might not expect a high school principal to partake in. Yeah, that happened!



Artist Brandon Sopinsky stands near his nerd dream mash-up of "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" and "Watchmen."



A gallery patron stares into Rachel J. Wong's TV piece, and like an episode of Rock of Love, you can't change the channel.

This show will be open through April 23rd, so stop by!!!! We also want to thank all the places who covered the show including G4, LA Weekly, AintItCool, Flavorpill, JoshSpear.com, TheOriginalWinger.com, OMG Posters and everybody else I can't think of right before I get ready to go into the gallery.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Idiot Box Artwork All Online!

You can check it out at http://idiotbox88.blogspot.com

I'll get more recappy when I sort things out. Busy night.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Great Night!

It is cool...

As a life-long fan of AintItCool, it's always awesome to get a shout-out over there. This time it was a surprise, even though the Head Geek did pick up the Israel Sanchez...



You can read the whole article by CLICKING HERE.

The show starts in 45 minutes.....be here!

Jensen
G1988: LA

Hours Away, Idiot

Less than 24 hours from "Idiot Box," our 5 year Anniversary exhibit, and things are actually way more calm than usual before a show of this magnitude. SO much good artwork. Jenn Lobo dropped her pieces off today and as she was leaving she said something along the lines of, these theme shows, every time, get better and better. She commented, it's as if the competition just gets better and better as artists bring their A game for these shows. And I couldn't agree more. I'm so excited to show off this work and the fun the artists had while making it (and we had while hanging it). Did two radio interviews today, one for Canada and one for Australia, and both were soooo well-versed in American guilty pleasure TV - made me understand how universal this theme is. I know that for the duration of this entire exhibit - I'll be able to smile all day while looking at this work on the walls. Some last minute peeks for you...hope to see you tomorrow night, Thursday evening, 7 - 11 PM.



Tim Tomkinson talks sweaters.



Matt Taylor channels Gossip Girl with his limited edition print.



An amazing digital print from 1988 newcomer Joey Spiotto. These are VERY limited, and super cheap...so if you've always wanted a print of Vicki from Small Wonder destroying a town...you better get to the gallery close to 7 PM.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Urkel On Your Apple

Our homeboys at Gelaskins have hooked us up once again, this time celebrating the LA Gallery's 5th Anniversary. Employing Alex Pardee's "Idiot Box" piece of Family Matter's lovable dweeb, Steve Urkel, we ask the hi-pitched annoying question, "Did Weeeeeee Do That?" - cause even we totally baffled ourselves. There was only about 100 made of these combined, so it's first come, first serve - for free - for those who party at the opening reception of "Idiot Box," Thursday night, April 2, 7-11 PM. With this on your iPhone and a picture of you and Mr. Belding chugging a beer in your wallet, you will be the coolest person you know.







Jensen
G1988: LA

Didn't You Say Somethin?

A Friday night sneak peek...

To get you in the mood...



And here is Rik Catlow's awesome piece paying tribute to your favorite stoned laugher, Beavis, busting out the Bunghole pose.



More sneaks soon. Huh uh uh huh.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Yadda Yadda Yadda

"Idiot Box" is so insanely soon here at G1988: LA and we're getting 5-10 pieces a day here in the gallery now. And each one is more impressive than the next. Kiersten Essenpreis, who has quickly become one of my favorite artists around, took Seinfeld worship to a WHOLE new level with her piece, "Seinfeldology (a.k.a. 99 Seinfeld References)." And yes, it titled literally.



So insanely perfect and detailed. And you know what that means? It's contest time. Using the key below, write down as many of the 99 Seinfeld references you can, matching them with the numbers.



To enter, if you live in Los Angeles, give me your attempts by hand at the opening reception on April 2nd. If you live outside of Los Angeles, but in the United States, mail us your entry at:

Gallery1988: LA
7020 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
90038

Please make sure to include your mailing address on the entry, in case you're a winner. The entry MUST BE RECEIVED at the gallery by April 2nd and WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING EMAIL ENTRIES AT ALL. Unfortunately, this is a US only contest. If we have a tie, the winner will be chosen by random picking, by my dog, Benjamin Peeny.

The winner will get...an artist proof print of Luke Chueh's "Disintegration" giclee. Yup. That's the grand prize. Pretty sponge worthy.

Jensen
G1988: LA

The Man's Shoes

Slowly creeping up on "Idiot Box" here at G1988: LA and it's time for another sneak peek! This time from artist Jeff Boyes, who has created a special screen print, not only to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the gallery, but also the 20th Anniversary of Saved By The Bell!

A 3 color screen print titled, "ZM1991," it give Jeff's twist on Zach Morris's signature hi-tops and tucked in tight jeans. And that awesome little Bayside logo in the corner!



Limited to only 33, this is going to be a tough one to get your hands on.

Jeff has also been chronicling the screen printing process over at his website, www.visualtechnicians.com I'm sure he'll be updating more, since he said the detail has created one of the toughest jobs he's ever had with printing.





Until then, preppie.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Sleeping In A Closet

Adam Rex for "Idiot Box" at G1988: LA



This show is INSANE. Totally bonkers. Robot girl painted in a serious manner type of crazy.

04-02-09

Jensen
G1988: LA

Pardee Hardee

Your first glimpse at a piece from "Idiot Box" comes courtesy Alex Pardee, a name who ALWAYS knocks it out the park for our large group shows. This piece is basically the EXACT reason I was so pumped to do "Idiot Box" for our 5 year anniversary. If I had to explain what pieces I was hoping for...this is basically what I would describe. Alex made a video of his process to create everyone's most loved dweeb. Again, I don't know where to start to explain how much I love Alex - it's not just the idea that he used the show's theme as a soundtrack, or that he did the painting for both our show and to "celebrate Black History Month," or that he just made a video in general. It's basically the whole deal. Did I do that?



And the finished piece...



WINNER.

This show is going to be my favorite ever. I already feel it. April 2, 7-11 PM.

And no better time than now. Pardee Solo Show at 1988: LA end of 2009.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Our Remote Control

The line-up fot April 2nd's "Idiot Box" 5-year anniversary show at G1988: LA -

Paintings and prints based on TV's guiltiest pleasures by:

Rachel J. Wong
Punchgut
Saul “Boxx” Gonzalez
Daniel Elson
Lesley Reppeteaux
Jenny Mollen
Allison Reimold
Dan Goodsell
Trisha Gum
Erica Gibson
Danielle Burli
Justin Kalmen
Cory Benhatzel
Rik Catlow
Adam Rex
Joey D.
Ruel Pascual
Wade Shin
Steve Bossler
Ewlina Ferruso
Ryan Sanchez
Jeff Ramirez
N.C. Winters
Thomas Lynch III
Erica Gibson
Isaac Bushkin
Matt Taylor
Frank Gonzales
Dave Pressler
Mike Maas
Doktor A
Le Merde
Jing Wei
Mylan Nguyen
Leanne Biank
Ken Keirns
Charlie Immer
Dan Santat
Chris Tezber
Patrick Gannon
Tom Haubs
Augie Pagan
Keith Noordzy
Brandon Sopinsky
Danielle Rizollo
Roland Tamayo
Jeremy Tinder
Deseo
Dave Crosland
Misha
Netherland
Anthony Clarkson
Jim Mahfood
Caro
Mark Bodnar
Ken Garduno
Johny Yanok
Jesse Riggle
Jesse Reklaw
Jenn Lobo
Blinky
Matt Burlingame
Ahren Hertel
Marcus Schaeffer
Matt Dangler
Jimbot
Jim Harker
Ben Walker
Jen Rarey
Chris Lee
Shannon Bonatakis
PlasticGod
Cornelius Cockroft
Nathan Stapley
Aaron Jasinski
Alex Pardee
Andrew Hem
Carlos Ramos
Brendon Flynn
Casey Weldon
Chris B. Murray
Sean Clarity
Dave Chung
Israel Sanchez
Jason Sho Green
Johnny Bergeron
Justin Degarmo
Kiersten Essenpreis
Kii Arens
Tim Tomkinson
Devin Crane
Julian Callos
Scott Scheidly
Scott Campbell
Josh Calloway
Martin Hsu
Gideon Boomer
Jeff Boyes
Andrew Wilson
Joey Spiotto
Jude Buffum
2cents
Ryan Hungerford

Wow. Please excuse typos. And expect surprise additions.

Jensen
G1988: LA

We Are Saved

(click to see bigger)

Here it is. An update I've basically been waiting 5 years to press "Publish Post" on.

We opened Gallery1988 (now known as Gallery1988: LA) 5 years ago in April on the corner of Melrose and La Brea (the same location it stands today). When we first opened one early passerby wished us good luck, since LA was "basically an art mafia that would be hard to break." This person wasn't being rude, just letting us know. Which we thanked him for. But we knew we were opening the gallery basically to make fun of that Art Mafia. The galleries taking themselves so serious, showing the same low-brow motorcycle, babes with skulls, artwork year after year or the venues selling "blue chip" artwork for insane amounts of money when the actual artwork didn't speak directly to anyone (besides being told it was "an investment'). Our goal was to bridge a gap. Katie's background was in USC Art History and Christie's Auction House, while I just knew I'd buy a painting of Super Mario Bros. We wanted to create affordable artwork that spoke to our generation. And now 5 years later...the fact that we're still here, in the same location, is totally crazy to us. And people seem to like our off-base approach to shows. So, it is my pleasure to announce our 5-year Anniversary show.

"Idiot Box" will feature almost 100 artists depicting their favorite television guilty pleasures. The shows you can hardly admit you love, but in all honesty, you LOVE the shit out of them. And yes. On April 2, the night of the opening reception, Dennis "Mr. Belding" Haskins will be hosting the extravaganza to not only celebrate the Gallery's milestone, but also the 20th Anniversary of Saved by the Bell! "Diff'rent Strokes." "Small Wonder." "Double Dare." "Flava of Love." It basically doesn't stop.

It's the theme show I've always wanted, but wasn't sure we could actually do.

Stay tuned to the blog for updates, artist lists and sneak peeks. This is going to be a seriously insane art show.



Mr. Belding poster by Andrew Wilson.

Jensen
G1988: LA