Animals

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Venice gallery last night for the opening of Peter Gronquist's "The Evolution Will Be Fabulous." It is so insane and beautiful inside the gallery and now that the mystery has been lifted, we can show you what Pete has created.

The entire show is visible, and available for purchase, by clicking - http://gronquistevolution.blogspot.com/

The entire show can be shipped safely and is stunning.

But check out our friend Jean's coverage over at NotCot by clicking the picture below:



Here's a tease of the NotCot article, as all these pictures were taken by them:









The show runs through November 4th at our Venice location, so please make sure and stop by. Seeing this in person is well worth it!

And at our Melrose location, the Butcher Kings are still up and running! Our friends over at Wired wrote up the show. Click the picture below to read it:



Stay tuned to the blog and our website to learn about a special Butcher King closing party, with prints being made available for the first time! More on that later, Mort.

Jensen
G1988

TONIGHT AT G1988 (VENICE)

Jensen
G1988

Inside the Mind of Peter Gronquist

Peter has dropped off all of his new work for his solo show, and it's INSANE. The pieces are epic and Peter has really outdone himself. You cannot miss this show, which opens this Friday, Oct. 14th at Gallery1988 Venice, 7-10pm.

In the meantime, here are a few detail shots (we didn't want to give away too much)...

The Evolution of Peter Gronquist

One of the most identifiable artists we've worked with, Peter Gronquist, is back in the gallery next week with his new solo show, "The Evolution Will Be Fabulous." Forever growing and evolving, we're always excited to see what Peter will do next, and his new show definitely does not disappoint!

Gronquist is probably most well know for his designer weapons, which we featured "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous" in 2008:

The show was widely covered in the press and even featured on Kanye West's blog, resulting in a hand-delivered cease and desist letter. The weapons, a favorite amongst buyers in the entertainment industry, can be see at the Hard Rock Hotel and Angels and Kings in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Since 2008, Peter has left the designer labels behind, and has merged the worlds of gold-plated weapons and taxidermy. We first saw an example of Peter's new style in 2009 at the Vivisect Playset in San Francisco:

Peter's new show, "The Evolution Will be Fabulous" features an entire show of embellished animal trophies, but even larger and more fabulous than any of his past work (check out the postcard image). BUT you'll have to wait for the show to open to see the new pieces, as we won't be previewing this show. It's going to be a surprise, so stay tuned!

Ish Don't Think So

I was shocked this morning to find out that Bruno sported the Peter Gronquist Chanel rocket launcher at the Mann's Chinese premiere of his film last night (seen and purchased from the "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous" at G1988: LA last year). Always funny when you figure out who bought something and for what. Congrats to Peter.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Flavorpill Write Up

Flavorpill did a little write up about our next SF show, The Vivisect Playset (Round 5). A big thank to Laureen Mahler who wrote the article...

http://flavorpill.com/sanfrancisco/events/2008/12/5/the-vivisect-playset-five

The show is just a few days away! We'll have the opening on Friday, December 5th from 7-10PM. The work in the show is the best of all five years, the artists did an incredible job. Luke Chueh, Anthony Ausgang and Peter Gronquist will be at the opening, as well as my 1988 partner, Jensen, who hasn't visited SF for an entire year!

We will also release the highly anticipated Greg Simkins mini print set at the opening this Friday.


Greg Simkins
Mini Print Set (includes Winter's Knight, Night Knight, White Knight)
giclee prints on Somerset Velvet fine art paper
4 x 5 inches (each print)
limited edition of 300
50 sets will also include a hidden chase print
30 sets will also include a hidden original Simkins drawing
$80.00

The print sets will be available in-store at the opening on Dec.5th and over the phone or email starting Dec. 6th.

So, goodbye for now while we go set up the new show. But in the meantime, here are some more Vivisect previews...


Alex Pardee


Amanda Visell


Daniel Elson


Angry Woebots

Katie
G1988: SF

Heat

Last night's opening reception for Peter's "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous" was GREAT! People seem genuinely really stoked to see the installation, as Peter really put together an impressive show of his weapons. And having an LV rifle sitting in the front Melrose window causes quite a stir, trust me. GREAT turnout for the show, especially considering this weekend was what I've been calling "Multi-Media Madness" - with GTA IV (anyone else noticing the COPE2 tags in Coney Island?), Mario Kart, Iron Man and Murakami having a painting show in LA. And I'm not even taking the Full House rerun marathon into consideration. But thanks to everyone who came out, and those who haven't seen the exhibit in person, it only runs until May 16th, so make it snappy. And I guess you could always just see the pieces online by CLICKING HERE.

Here's a 2 pics of Peter Gronquist chilling on his INSANE Louis Vuitton Electric Chair, which also have a place card that reads "Reserved for Tom Sachs."





And here's "The Beast," an incredible journalist who's been covering our gallery in publications like Italian Vogue and Elle since our first show in 2004. Beast is literally one of my favorite people in the universe, and is so ahead of his time I'm surprised we're even able to see him walk in.



And although almost impossible to follow up a picture like that with any sort of important announcement, I think I might just have a chance...



Yes, it's back.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Gun Control Means Using Both Hands In My Land

NRA, throw your hands up! Tonight, 7-10 PM, join us for the opening reception for "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous," featuring these beauties and more. Here's what Flavorpill had to say about the exhibit:

"Weapons of mass designer," Peter Gronquist's tongue-in-cheek label for his hilarious and poignant sculptures, is actually a quite literal description of his work: think tanks decked out in Burberry plaid, Gucci-logo chainsaws, and Louis Vuitton's once-coveted Murakami cherry-blossom print decorating a shotgun. Playing the role of a modern-day Warhol, Gronquist uses little discretion in commenting on issues such as greed in his works, which expertly reveal the relationship between war and capitalism.

Thanks for that one, Flavorpill! Again, take a second from killing people in GTA IV (Best game ever, btw) or come before/after your Iron Man screening, and see what fake violence looks like as art off a screen.

Jensen
G1988: LA

LoWell

Back in the mix of the gallery here in LA after a few day vacation to Lowell, MA. I know you may not have heard of it, and you'd wonder why I didn't just visit Boston (45 minutes away), but I was visiting my friend who is currently co-directing "This Side of The Truth" with Ricky Gervais, a comedy set to release in 2009. The movie also stars Rob Lowe, Jen Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Jeffrey Tambor, Jon Hodgeman, Tina Fey and some other HUUUUGE names that haven't quite been announced yet. I had a great time hanging out, playing GTA IV (which Ricky actually has a big cameo in) and just getting away. Oh, here's Lowell. I feel a little like Ansel Adams, cause the city isn't as dope as the picture I took.



And although I can't show you any photos from the set (it's more secretive than a government spy mission), you can see some for yourself at the film's official blog, http://rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php. I did take a picture of the best scene I saw all trip...



I woke up to this classic on my last day in town, and quickly grabbed my camera. It's not every day that you can wake up to the Jesse Spano/caffeine pills episode of "Saved By The Bell." Hearing her scream "I'm so excited....I'm so....scared" put a smile on my face that only a double cheeseburger from The Maxx could cover. Sorry it's not Tina Fey doing a spit take, but I mean, this has to be a close second.

But we are full swing with installing the Peter Gronquist "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous" show. It opens tomorrow night, a rare Saturday event for us, with a reception from 7-10 PM. The show only lasts a week or so, so keep that in mind. Here's a pic of one of the walls:



It's really so awesome, I can't tell you. ALSO, we started seeing these hanging on phone lines all over LA last night, and couldn't help but know it ties into our show.



Keep your eyes to the skies. I hope see a lot of you tomorrow night. It's really a different kind of show here, and I'll give you the promise that you'll enjoy it. If you don't, come up to me, and I will write a poem about you. On the spot. Now that's a promise you can count on, Ron (already rhyming).

Jensen
G1988: LA

I mean, seriously?

DUDE!

Another gem from the upcoming Peter Gronquist show, "The Revolution Will Be Fabulous," featuring Peter's signature designer weapons. This baby would make Ash from Army of Darkness a whole lot fresher, not to mention what this could do for Leatherface...or even really just my gardener.

How do you top this?

Jensen
G1988: LA

No Bigger

So last night saw the debut of Real World: Hollywood on MTV which showed off some of the art they picked up for Gallery 1988 rather nicely. PlasticGod has a ton of full body and head pieces throughout the house, including a nice stretch on the way to the bathroom that was shown a ton in the premiere. The pieces look like this for those keeping score at home:



I also peeped the Peter Gronquist Power Glove near the kitchen and the Chris Lee Crazy 4 Cult poster too! Make sure to tune into the Real World, which seems to air every 15 minutes on MTV and look for the 1988 connection, as there are a lot more pieces to be seen over the course of what seems to be a rather turbulent season.

And tonight, I will be the featured guest on Canadian radio stations CJAD and CFRB talking it up about the TOYS! exhibition. Those outside of the Great North can check it out at 11:05 PM PST (too lazy to look it up for every time zone), at either www.cjad.com or www.cfrb.com. I once visited Canada in my past lifetime as part of a music project with 50 Cent (pre-uber fame). About 15 minutes into our trip, while getting settled at the hotel, 50 cent was immediately deported by dudes in suits. It was one of the weirdest experiences of my life. Besides that, I know very little about Canada. But now I know they are interested in the TOYS! exhibit, so I'm down with it. No deportation, please.

Jensen
G1988: LA

Arms Race

I can't believe the TOYS! show is already entering its last week already! The show closes here in Los Angeles on the 25th, so make sure to stop by if you can, before it's all gone! But it won't be dead...

Lucky attendees of Comic-Con will be seeing many of the vans, and related merchandise and appearances resulting from this show, as a major focal point at Mattel's Hot Wheels presence this year. But more on that down the road.

It's not all bad news as TOYS! finds itself in our previous exhibitions - it does make room for our next show, one I've been excited for since we booked it a year and a half ago.



It's a special engagement show filled wall to wall with customized weapons from Bay Area second amendment satirist Peter Gronquist. Peter takes serious weapons of death (although mostly guns, he's also messed with tanks and guillitines in the past) and puts his own spin on the firearms (now plugged and harmless replicas that is) by incorporating designer prints and ridiculous gold plating, hence creating a whole new creation. Some people might recognize these guns from visits to nearby Melrose boutique SURU, as the owner, Joe Hahn, had purchased some of Peter's first pieces a few years back and decided to include them into his store's design. Joe has told us that although the gun has a serious NOT FOR SALE sign on it at his spot, he has gotten offers that are 5 to 6 times higher than he paid for it. Joe has some day job playing records or something, so he was more into keeping his gems for prosperity. Truth is, we don't come by these much, as they usually sell out immediately upon delivery in the past, even garnering fans like Lupe Fiasco and Swizz Beats.

Peter actually sent us over some work in progress pictures that would make Ted Nugent jealous and ready to attend the opening reception, Saturday night, May 3 from 7-10 PM.





Although shiny like Lil Wayne's teeth, that last one does has the Murakami LV print, proving this show can not be missed.

And then there's always this...



Yes, he really did make a LV golf bag / gun holster for the inner Rambo in you. That's just screaming for inclusion in some Summer blockbuster.

Jensen
G1988: LA

There Will Be Water

Aw man, it's like Jed Clampett lived on the corner on Melrose and La Brea today (that is if Jed hit H20, and instead of Duke his dog by his side, he had that weird aggresive dancing Westside Rentals guy with him), as a moving truck popped a fire hydrant and it got real Raging Waters up in this piece.









It's like 65-70 feet in the air and it really won't stop. Firefighters here and everything, all tarped up trying to end this car wash madness. I wanted to go Flashdance in it. Kinda unbelievable when seeing it. Almost as unlikely as this:



But that happened too! Yup, that's a picture from our recent Vivisect Toy Set Release Party, and proof that Thomas Han did come!

More pics? Sure.



The line before the party started, waiting for C+C Music Factory to perform. I mean, waiting for the toys to be released.





Peter Gronquist (playing the role of Daryll "DMC" McDaniels) and Greg Simkins get down.



Blindly opening the blind boxes.



And without any sort of good transition, if you're in the SF area tonight, we open "A Place Called Lovely," which has some INCREDIBLE work in it. 7-10 PM. Amy Sol, Krista Huot and Caia Koopman are all in the area to party with you!

Jensen
G1988: LA