Some magz we subscribe to that clutter our coffee table, Mostly Art & Culture.
Who better to end 2008 with than Japan's Junko Mizuno? Sugary sweet and always fucked-up, here's a calvalcade of video icing to top off your year-end bitter sweet cake. Watch Junko get interviewed by an Englishman as well as a strange sashimi ritual, a recent show of Junko and Miss Van and Aiko Nakagawa at Merry Karnowski, and more below... and look for Miss Mizuno in the long awaited Hi-Fructose Collected Edition.
Art Basel Miami: 2008 – Jen Pappas with photographer Steven Yannie chronicle their four-day shenanigans through Miami' during Art Basel 2008:
If ever it were possible to become tipsy from art: the idiotic-grin, not sure what the rest of my body is doing, am I talking too loud kinda tipsy, then Art Basel Miami is it. Four days, 33 countries, 250 galleries, over 2,000 artists and a veritable overload of the senses is only part of the story. continue...
Hi-Fructose is surprised and honored beyond measure as Chris Mars' pick for "Artists of the Year" for the City Pages (Minneapolis Weekly.) This would be a full blow blog post but we're trying to show some restraint and modesty by posting this to the News section. Chris Mars is a Minneapolis-based artist whose work is included in several public collections, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Minnesota History Center. His debut monograph, Tolerance , was released in September by Billy Shire Fine Arts Press/Last Gasp Publishing.
Just in time for winter, the adorably perverse Wilfrid Wood has taken over the town square with two new commissioned (by Nestle's Frosty Fruits!?) statues. Sculpted by Josh young, these memorial statues of 'Summer Madness' victims were erected in Melbourne and Sydney. Take a larger look at these tan-lined beauties celebrating the stupidity of the summer here. They kind of remind me of the Rugrats, but in the midst of a speed binge.
(above - Naoto Hattori)
Part deux brought to you by Nathan Spoor.
The second and final stop for our roll this fine evening, (Dec., 13th) is at for their holiday opening and party and festivities. more...
The Chris Berens show "Go West" last Friday (12.12.08) was truly a sight to behold. Chris' new collection of paintings for his show at Roq La Rue Gallery were nearly sold out by the time we arrived. As cold as it was for Seattle this year, I wouldn't have missed this show for the world, not even my terror for flying or my inept winter coat could keep me away. Kirsten Anderson, owner of Roq La Rue initially turned us on to the Neatherland artist this past year when she suggested him for a feature in Volume 9. More...
We just got word of a new Dave Cooper animated video for Canadian rock band Danko Jones. Nick Cross, , an award-winning animator, teamed up with Cooper to make this drum-pounding latex-headed bounce fest sing. We've got a special collection of story boards to show you and an exclusive interview with Cooper on the project and check out the video here!
Artist, Nathan Spoor kindly shares his meanderings in L.A., from last weekend of Dec., 13th.:
True, it could have been residual wonder from the previous night's full moon, but the excitement in the air was palpable (which I hope means that if you reached out you could feel the electricity or even taste it). But perhaps it was the anticipation for the exhibit that awaited us - Jeff Soto's museum show: Turning in Circles. So around 6ish in the PM the lovely Lola and I embarked for our roughly 2 hour trek down to her homeland for the first stop on our little art roll. more...
Yoskay Yamamoto's Koibito is half coi fish/half boy and all awesome. For the upcoming Hi-Fructose vol.10, famed photographer Brian McCarty braved the not-so cold December waters of a Los Angeles pool just for the shot for us. To celebrate the release of the Koibito at Melrose's Munky King tonight December 12th, we're offering a free download of the image for screenshot/wallpaper use as well as a download image for your Iphone courtesy of Brian. Get the behind the scenes Q & A on the shot and links for the downloads here!
We love the recent rise of interest in porcelin/fine Chinawear. Here's a collection of videos of the controversial, yet always thought provoking Charles Krafft. Visit with him as he creates a urn out of his neighbor's ashes (above), create his "Disaster Wear," and explore a Seattle art museum (below).
We've finally put the finishing touches on our latest issue, due in stores first week of January. Hi-Fructose Vol.10 is proud to feature Glenn Barr, In the Clouds: the art of Chris Scarborough, Yosuke Ueno, Camilla d'Errico, the installations of Mandy Greer, Chris Ryniak, Bob Dob, and Chris Ryniak. Plus vehicle painter Kevin Cyr, Andrew Hem, the sculptures of Laurie Hassold, plus reviews and much more.Cover image, Glenn Barr. See previews of Hi-fructose Vol.10 here!
Take a trip overseas for a visit with HF vol.9 feature artist Liz McGrath and her latest solo exhibition. And check out some other McGrath videos below; including Boing Boing
TV's coverage of her by David Pescovitz.
Part II of Kirsten Anderson's visit with Netherland painter Chris Berens at his studio, discussing his unique process of working. Camera and Editing by Kenny Montana for Hi-Fructose Magazine. We're very pleased to premiere this amazing artist with a ten page feature by Kirsten in Hi-Fructose Volume 9. Look for his solo show at Roq La Rue in Seattle coming this December and exclusive coverage of the show on hifructose.com
Chris Berens
“To quickly address all the internetland hype and drama between bombers, pasters, lovers, and haters, stemming from the post on WK Interact in Miami… lets get some basic facts straight. I’m not here to speak about the “rules” of the street,” writes our NY-based blogger buddy Dasco. “Personally I do not care. Let’s talk about more interesting things like evolution, hypocrisy, and artistic merit."
What spurred such a heated response from Dasco? Other heated (and somewhat banal) arguments disputing “rules of the street” and whether or not wheatpasting is really “getting up.”
After Dasco posted the news of WK as our current cover choice on his blog, he received more than a few feisty comments, so he fired back with an intelligent and succinct response. Oh, how we love blogger wars. See the action now at themongrel.com
The artwork of Megan Whitmarsh showed up on Kanye West’s blog on the first of the new year. Kanye is no stranger to the world of contemporary art, but we have to admit we’re pretty damned stoked that Mr West’s taste extends to Whitmarsh’s funky jewelry (shown above) and “soft sculptures” (piled below.)
More on Megan Whitmarsh at tinyindustries.com.
We’ve finally reached issue #10 of archived Juxtapoz issues. We’re taking it back to the Spring of 1997 when we featured Dave Mann on the cover, along with features on Isabel Samaras, Stanislav Szukalski, Gken Barr, and The Pizz. The theme of this issue is L’art de toilette. Yeah, because you know we keep it classy. So peep the whole issue online here.
Although a bit dry, this is a good video on Retna and the cats of The Seventh Letter's (Juxtapoz #78) Will Rise (aka AWR, which stands for “Angels Will Rise”) from Vimby. Retna speaks on his involvement with AWR and his own artistic process, and the video highlights a wealth of great graf. Check it out.
New Image Art will be celebrating 15 years of exhibiting some of the best contemporary art the world has to offer by exhibiting more art by some of the best contemporary artists working today. Good idea, huh?
Opening Saturday, January 24th, 2009 New Image will showcae an exhibit offering works by such seminal artists: Ed Templeton, Barry McGee, Clare Rojas, Deanna Templeton, Judith Supine, Shepard Fairey, Cleon Peterson, Jim Houser, Matt Leines, Swoon, faie, David Ellis, Neckface, AIKO, The Date Farmers, Anthony Lister, Os Gemeos, Jeff Soto, Kime Buzzelli, Geoff Mcfetridge, and more. If you can get a more rock solid grouping, we’d like to know because this exhibit is pretty close to diamond status.
More at newimageartgallery.com
Ever wondered what an artist was thinking when he or she created a piece of artwork? We do all the time, especially if it’s a funny or bizarre piece of work. Well, Alli Good has been working on a blog for quite some time, which features sketches and pen and ink drawings with little haikus written for each image, offering a little bit of insight into the message or thought process behind each work. Check it out for yourself now at alligoodart.blogspot.com
“I saw Morgan Blair's work in your reader art section, and loved it,” Zach of Sezio wrote us. They liked her work so much, in fact, that they took the time to interview this budding new York-based artist about her artwork. If you don't recall her Reader Art work, take another look-see here. It's rad stuff.
Read the entire interview with Morgan Blair here.
Untitled, pen and watercolor on paper
Artist: Patrick Hanno
More here…
Street artist Above felt like wishing us all a bangin’ 2009 via this video, showcasing a New year’s mural he created. Will oh-nine be a bang or a bust? We’re opting for a bang.
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Our homeboy Alex Pardee (Juxtapoz cover #79) recently allowed us to come crash his studio and get a sneak peek at his newest work (one of our favorite pieces is shown below) for his upcoming solo show at FIFTY24SF Gallery, affectionately titled Letters From Digested Children, which opens this Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Not only is Alex extremely talented and intelligent, but he’s also super nice and down to earth. Just our kind of artist! We made our way from our hometown of San Francisco over to his studio and Zerofriends art collective compound in Novato, California, which is about 30 minutes north of SF. Upon entering his studio, we were immediately greeted by typical Alex goodness: crazy masks, huge murals, colorful paintings, and oh yeah, the artist himself.
Do join us on a journey through the world and mind of Alex Pardee in our studio visit with him over this way…
No Comply is an annual skateboard art show in Melbourne, Australia now in its forth year. We all know art and skate decks go together like bread and buttah, so naturally we’re hyped that this year’s lineup had over 70 artists, including the likes of Artless, Cey Adams, Cycle, Cope, Keith Ciarmello, Lessley Repettaux (work shown above) Shaunna Peterson, SheOne, KRINK (work below) Brad Eastman, and more.
Originally slated to open in December, the show was postponed to mid-January due to “an epic amount of dust and nearby construction which has rendered the gallery space unusable.” Woah, that must be some supersonic dust. “The good news is that the extra time means that we’re getting more new artists on board and pretty much super-sizing the show and layout,” write the folks at No Comply.
If Australia is a bit out of reach for you, the entire show with images of all the artwork as well as artist biographies is up online at www.nocomply.com.au
For the past 4 years, Know Hope has been showing his work in galleries and exhibitions worldwide, but most of his work has been on the streets in their natural urban settings. Know Hope deals with the ephemeral aspect of street art not only as a genre in itself, but also as a subject, exploring the need of momentary connections in everyday reality, and the common denominator that is the human struggle.
Know Hope's recent work has been revolving around the story of an unnamed figure, following it and creating some sort of lifeline through its observations, mishaps and eventually its commentary. The figure is the visual manifestation of the human vulnerability addressed in all the pieces. The use of cardboard makes the content of the pieces physical, underlining the urgency of creating temporary art for the street, and the liability and rough fragility of the struggle.
Make sure to mark your calendars for Friday January 16th, 2009 as Know Hope’s newest collection of work will debut in a solo show at Ad Hoc in Brooklyn. This Israeli artist has created a new crop of drawings and paintings on cardboard, exuding a universal depth of emotion, exploring the human condition in a delightfully beautiful manner. See more of the work Know Hope will showcase in preview images right over here…
The rain-saturated folks up at Portland’s Grass Hut have a new showing slated for January. “It's Gargamel Gang, and they will be flying in from Tokyo to be here for the show, which will include paintings, customs, and photography from the whole gang,” Grass Hut friend and artist Bwana Spoons told us.
The show opens January 9th, 2009. If you’re in the Portland, Oregon area, hit up Grass Hut and pretend you’re on a tropical vacation because lord knows if you’re in the Northwest, you want to be anywhere slightly tropical right about now.
More at Grasshutcorp.com, but first peep the preview images Bwana send our way right over here...
Someone dropped the ball last night. Thankfully, it signals a brand spanking New Year brimming with optimism (which you’ll hopefully be able to appreciate as soon as your hangover wears off.)
Speaking of balls (get yer mind out of the gutter…perhaps that can be your New years resolution) we did a little research on the infamous Times Square New Years Eve Ball, which has dropped every year in Manhattan (with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943 due to the wartime "dimout" in NYC) since 1907.
The first Ball, made of iron and wood and covered with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. Later in 1920, a 400-pound ball made completely of wrought iron replaced the original. Next, in 1955, the iron ball was replaced with an aluminum ball weighing a mere 200 pounds (like the one shown above from 1978.)
This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and a green stem transformed the Ball into an apple for the "I Love New York" campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball returned to Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was spruced up with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
This year’s ball is a snazzy 12-foot geodesic sphere (shown below) and is double the size of previous Balls, weighing 11,875 pounds. Covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals and powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, this is one glimmering (and pricey) Ball. Props to you if you got to see the sexy thing drop in person last night in Times Square.
So here’s to 2009. What’s not to be excited about? The fact that we’ve got a new president taking office in 20 days is reason enough to walk around with a goofy smile plastered on your face right up until January 20th. Rock on 2009…we love you already.
“Since January 2007, São Paulo has enforced a law called Cidade Limpa (‘clear city')” writes our Porto Alegre, Brazil based friend and Juxtapoz contributor, Ana Ferraz. “The objective of this law is to eliminate visual pollution by prohibiting all kinds of outdoor advertising such as billboards, building panels, taxi advertising, and so on. Of course, graffiti and pixação are on that ‘clear’ list too.”
It’s common knowledge that many globally recognized artists such as OSGEMEOS, Nina, Nunca, Vitché and Herbert Baglione call São Paulo, Brazil home so it would seem ironic, disrespectful even, for their city to not only prevent but to remove their public artwork from city walls.
However, that’s exactly what the mayor’s office did this past July. Thankfully, due to public and artist outcry, last weekend a massive mural by OSGEMEOS, Nina, Nunca, Vitché and Herbert Baglione was created in place of an old mural that had been painted over in grey paint with city funding.
Hear the entire story and see exclusive photos of the old and new mural as reported by Ana Ferraz right over this way…
