Sure to be cult movie classic, Machete, is being released this Friday and you can be sure AM will be in line for this one. However, one person who we know has been lucky enough to see the movie already is David Choe (featured). For once, the suits did the right thing and chose one the grimiest artists out there to create some of the movie’s promotional material. Take a look at the video above as David discusses the creative process behind the project - he even broke one of his rules and painted a man - Danny Trejo.
Last week AM visited the SFMOMA to catch the signing of David Choe’s (featured) monograph (previewed) from Chronicle Books. The crowd of fans waited patiently to get some face time with the accomplished artist. David, as usual, took his time greet his loyal Bay Area followers and for a lucky few, even created mini sketches in their books.
When AM visited David Choe’s (featured) secret lair several months ago, we not only got an advance peek at his recently released monograph, but we also got a first look at his Whale “Munko”. Check out our close-ups of the prototype. The toy being produced by Good Smile Company is set to be released this week at the San Diego Comicon (SDCC) through our friends at Giant Robot. The figure comes in 11 colorways in 3 unique sculpted bodies (+1 chase colorway).
Even better news is that David will be at the Giant Robot booth on July 29th & 30th (Noon-2pm) to sign his latest monograph and Munkos for all the lucky SDCC fans in attendance! If you can’t get down to San Diego in person, then get your presale action on here.
Check out more pics of the other colorways after the jump.
David Choe’s (featured) is finally set to release his monograph from Chronicle Books. The self-titled book is 10 years in the making as it details the life, art and cool happenings from David’s illustrious career thus far. We can tell you how awesome this 288 page bad boy is, because we were fortunate enough to preview this with David when we visited his studio before his amazing “Nothing to Declare” show at LAzarides 90210.
The good folks at Chronicle had just FedEx’d him a publisher’s proof for his review and fortunately Mr. Choe indulged us with an early look into this monster hard cover! If you don’t want to fight crowds or risk a sellout at your local book store when it releases July 7th, then we suggest you pre-order here for a special early discount.
Sometimes, we get spoiled at AM with behind the scenes studio visits where we see much of the art work before show openings, but in this case, our visit to David Choe’s (featured) studio definitely did not spoil our appetite for his latest series of works which were revealed at a private opening last night. Similar to the NY Outsiders show, the Beverly Hills-located LAzarides 90210 gallery’s production and lighting were peerless, accentuating and elevating Mr. Choe’s entire show, “Nothing to Declare”, to a whole other level.
David’s long awaited return to his hometown of Los Angeles was certainly well received as a host of the town’s art notables, such as James Jean, Joe Hahn, Audrey Kawasaki, Eric Nakamura, Tim Biskup, Mark Dean Veca, Adam Wallacavage, Dr. Romanelli, Gary Baseman, and Mari Inukai were all in attendance. Choe went deep into his talented mind to offer fans and collectors a diverse array of mediums from his signature dreamy watercolors to his intensely layered canvases. Marked by his signature whale inflatable in the center of the space, the mood of the evening was a joyous one as the City of Angels welcomed home it’s prodigal son.
Earlier in the week, we gave you a sneak peek of the show from inside David Choe’s (featured) secret LA studio. But, our friends at LAzarides 90210 also got us a quick look at the install progress in the luxe Beverly Hills space. As you can see from the picture above, David didn’t forget his famous watercolors.
Don’t worry, we’ll get you even more pictures at the “Nothing to Declare” opening event but for now, check out more install pics after the jump…
Los Angeles, absence makes the heart grow founder… So, David Choe (featured), welcome home! After a six year hiatus from showing in LA, the man who paddle-boated down the Mississippi, safaried the Congo Jungle, was jailed in Japan, and once exhibited in an ice cream parlor, will be making his homecoming in the heart of Beverly Hills this April 23rd for an exhibition to blow the hinges off.
AM had the pleasure of stopping by David Choe’s warehouse/studio earlier this week for a little visit to find out more about the new show. This intimidating compound sits in a downtown LA industrial district, shared with friend and fellow artist James Jean (interviewed). From the moment we pulled our car into the tremendous space, we were assaulted from all sides with the new paintings for the LAzarides 90210 show collectively entitled “Nothing to Declare”. The fantastic new body of work looks to be an evolution on David’s already storied career - from the numerous chosen mediums, paintings of all sizes, different techniques and the vibrant colors he chose to incorporate, there is no shortage of visual hooks and gems from this lot.
Check it out. Some pictures from inside David Choe’s (featured) LA bat-cave where he’s neck deep working on his new body of work for the coming solo “Nothing to Declare”. As mentioned, David’s batting in the lead-off spot for the new LAzarides 90210 pop up gallery this summer.
Street art lovers will be happy to hear that two pretty awesome films “Dirty Hands” and “Exit Through The Gift Shop” from David Choe (featured) and Banksy respectively will be opening in select cities in the United States. Although not a general release as of yet, this might be our best chance stateside (at least in major metropolitan areas) to get a look at these documentary/films.
“Exit Through The Gift Shop” will be showing in LA, NY, and SF starting on April 16th and hopefully will expand into other cities. “Dirty Hands” will be showing in LA and SF with screenings starting at the Sunset 5 in LA on April 30 - May 6, and then moving on to SF for showings from May 21 - May 27.
Trailers after the jump for the few who haven’t seen them yet.
Looks like David Choe (featured) has been plastering the streets of Los Angeles in preparation for his solo show (teased) in the City of Angels at the end of April. “Nothing to Declare” will be put on by Lazarides in Beverly Hills in a special space and rumors are Choe’s show won’t be the only show hosted in that location before all is said and done.
The AM crew will definitely be out in force for this one so look for more coverage to follow. For now, check out more images from the streets of LA after the jump…
Upper Playground has just announced a surprise print release produced in conjunction with SA Studios and the Weinstein Company. “The Lost Art of Inglorious Basterds” will feature some of the heaviest hitters from the UP roster, including David Choe (featured), Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish (featured) Sam Flores and many, many more. The giclee prints will be limited to an edition of only six per image, will also be signed by Quentin Tarantino and best of yet, all proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief. Prints are available in person on a first come first serve basis this Thursday, February 18th at Upper Playground’s Los Angeles gallery.
David Choe (featured) fans in LA rejoice! As he explains in a way only he can on his blog, it’s apparently been six years since his last solo and he wants to make it up to the Angelinos. After seeing his recent sold outshow in SF, we are looking forward to “Nothing To Declare” with Lazarides in April at a yet to be disclosed Beverly Hills location and will definitely have more to follow as the show gets closer.
David Choe opened his latest show, “Character Assassination” last Thursday night at FIFTY24SF. Choe, who has deep ties with both the Bay Area, as well as the Upper Playground family, brought an incredibly large turnout for his long awaited SF return. The reason attendees waited for upwards of thirty minutes to check out the show? Mostly because it was awesome! David came with enough artwork to fill two galleries, giving fans a chance to check out almost every limited edition print he’s ever done as well as the opportunity to view a whole new body of work. Since our initial visit to his studio last week, David has put together an impressive lineup of small and larger works, his use of darker backgrounds and plenty of red paint convey the bloody assassinations of his personal and figurative characters, an odd subject really for an artist who’s been nothing but on the rise.
AM swung by David Choe’s satellite studio for a visit as the artist was preparing for his upcoming show at FIFTY24SF. Choe, who lives and works in New York City, has deep roots with both Los Angeles and the Bay Area and has maintained a makeshift studio a half hour south of San Francisco for the past two years. Part recording studio, part screen print press, this live/work space provides the ideal creative getaway for the ever traveling artist. David opened his doors for a look inside this space and provided a thoroughly entertaining and informative sneak peek of his upcoming show.
