GRAVITY FREE mural painting @ Louie’s hair salon – day2

Art Shows

No Comments


Share this post

Mural painting Day2: Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

I got here around 1pm – here they were, djow, 8g and Noa-, adding more details, polishing lines and colors – they have to finish this mural painting by the end of the day.  I was with them all day documenting the whole process.  It was colder than the day before.

Zaion filming. He was good at being invisible while he was filming.

djow.

A cityscape of San Francisco appeared!

“Are you guys doing it again!?”

8g, drawing a frog guitarist.

Noa-.

Mid-way….

This adorable frog guy comes here and play the guitar only several times a week. Hey, it’s rare to meet him – don’t forget to take a picture!

It’s getting dark – yes we need a light.

We had an issue with the frog guy because he was playing music too loud.  He had to leave and go to the next spot where a lot of people waiting for him to perform.  Ok, it’s time to say good bye… See you again, frog!

He’s gone. And the mural’s finished.

またGravity Freeの残した足跡が、サンフランシスコのとある壁に。

また会えるといいね、かえるさん。

Read more

Gravity Free strikes SF.

Art Shows

No Comments


Share this post

Welcome back, Gravity Free!  It has been almost two years since we met and did a collaborative live painting at S.I.R. show in SF.  After spending two days in LA, extending artist networks, they drove up to San Francisco.  We planned a small welcome party at Noa-‘s place.

Oh, who the hell is Gravity Free? Well, here it is…

“Gravity Free is a livepainting unit formed by Djow, born in 1976 in Ibaraki, and 8g, born in 1977 in Nagasaki.  Conceived around the concept that “Live painting is the LIVE, the LIVE is the masterpiece”, they transform their style of painting to the groove of live music.  The continuous abstract and fantastic vision explored by these artists ensures their world is truly “Gravity Free”. They collaborate with musicians, performing up to 80 gigs a year, as the philosophy of live style incorporated music for the essence of “LIVE” audiences connect with the spirit of “LIVE”, and their synthesis of rhythm and color has led to their inclusion at Fuji Rock Festival, one of Japan’s largest summer out door music event.  Besides creating commissioned art for posters and CD covers, among other creation, they embark on a live painting tour as a band.”

djow. Respect.

8g. 8 hours driving must have worn your energy out.

Kimuchi-nabe. So good especially when it’s cold outside.

*

2nd day – they crossed the Bay Bridge to visit Berkeley.  I just happened to be in the area, so briefly met up with them at a kick-ass bicycle store called Jitensha Studio on Bankloft in Berkeley, which is run by my friend Takato’s family.

*

3rd day – Tuesday Feb. 9th.

Live painting in action!

Today is the day for painting mural of a Louie Hair Salon, located at 4 Brady St.  They ordered cutlet sandwhich for lunch, but people at the restaurant misunderstood what they said, and gave them this cutlet curry.  Fueled up by this delicious spiciness, the crew slowly started to prepare.

As the sun goes down, somehow the wind stopped blowing, and it’s getting a bit warmer than the daytime.  We set up a light for the night view, and they still kept painting. More and more people stopped by to see what’s going on…

Holding a video camera instead of the guitar, a beat maker Zaion has been interviewing a lot of people who stopped by.  “That’s cool man, I’m gonna come back and check it tomorrow.”

A frog emerged from the abstract waves and swirls.  They’re gonna come back here tomorrow and finish the rest.  To be continued…

Read more

Four Elements vol.3 EARTH -土-

Art Shows, Music

2 Comments


Share this post


Flyer design by Mie Honmura & Junko Maegawa
Four Elements logo design by Andy Baron

波瀾万丈な予感のする2010年の幕開けから、やっとブログをアップする時間を得て(つまりは風邪をひいたということなんですが)、告知に至りますSIRのアートショー。
Surreality in Realityの2010年、第一弾目は、自然の四要素3つ目の「土」”EARTH”。
新たなメンバーを迎えて、大地に根を張る大木のごとく成長しつつあるSIRですが、今年は5月で2周年を迎えるということもあり、パワーアップしていきたいと思っています。

テクスチャーの加わった渋いフライヤーデザインを手がけてくれたのはMieさん aka Sleepytiger & Junkoさん。今回はまた奮発してバニッシュのフィニッシュを加えて、お洒落な仕上がりです。
今Business Cardも製作中、果たしてイベント開催当日に間に合うかはどきどきなところですが。

会場で「土」という空間を感じてもらうべく、試行錯誤しながらミーティングを重ねて、着々と準備中です。
今回は展示期間が水曜日から土曜日まであり、土曜日の夜7時前までに来てくれた人には、7時からのイベントに無料で入れるという特典もあります。というわけで、会場ヘはお早めに。
ではみなさん、Space Galleryで会いましょう♥

*

Finally I was able to update my blog – it means that I caught a cold and can’t get out of the bed. My pillow and Kleenex are my best friends right now. Hopefully I’ll be able to go out and breathe some fresh air tomorrow.

So, here in San Francisco, Surreality In Reality crew’s first art show of this year is coming up on January 30th, 2010, entitled as “Four Elements vol.3 EARTH”. Four new members came on board, and we are ready to sail out and explore the rest of this long journey. I’d like to take SIR to the next level this year, since our 2nd year anniversary is coming up in May. I am glad to see how we as an art collective are growing like a big tree spreading its roots underground.

You’ll experience new SIR – don’t miss out!

*

Four Elements vol.3 土 -EARTH-

Surreality in Reality Presents
Japanese Art Exhibition and Performances

@Space Gallery
1141 Polk Street. SF | btw Sutter & Post | 415.377.3325
www.spacegallerysf.com

Exhibition: Wednesday January 27 – Saturday 30, 2010
Gallery Hour 12-5pm

Reception: Saturday January 30, 2010
21+
3pm- Gallery Hour | FREE
7pm- Event | $5
8pm- Live Painting Performance

Surreality in Reality Crew is cultivating the wilderness in pursuit of the third element among Four Elements of nature: Water, Fire, Earth and Wind. The fruits of the fire and water have formed, ripened and returned to soil, as known as Earth, providing ideal nutrient base and minerals. Fallen leaves and fruits of autumn fertilize the earth, generating lives on this planet. This series of art exhibitions and live performances will be presented by Japanese local talents, known as S.I.R., showcasing their artistic interpretation of “EARTH” in various media.

Exhibition by
Ai Sugano (Photography)
Akira (Mixed Media)
Akane (Painting)
Akko Terasawa (Photography / Graphic Art)
Aoi Yamaguchi (Live Japanese Calligraphy / Exhibition)
Daichi Wakui (Photography)
Hideki Owa (Graphic Art)
Junko Maegawa (Graphic Art)
Keiko Moriyama (Photography)
Kenta Shimbo (Paper Toy)
Koji Nagao (Stop Motion)
Lavit Sea (Live Illustration / Exhibition)
Luke Short (Mixed Media)
Noa- (Live Painting / Exhibition)
Satoshi (Painting)
Sleepytiger (Illustration)
Taiko Fujimura (Mixed Media)
Takashi Akamatsu (Mixed Media)
Tetsuo Kikuchi (Painting)

Music by
Chikaramanga (Giant Panda / TRES Records)
Kento (fresco)
Yusai (Mellow Orange)
Zaion (Zaion Recordings)

SURREALITY IN REALITY
www.sir-sf.com

Read more

INVASION & CULTIVATION.

Art Shows, Events

No Comments


Share this post

みなさん2010年明けましておめでとうございます。

新年あけてしまいましたが、去年から編集していたビデオがやっと完成したのでupします。

INVASION by Punk Drunkers & Aoi Yamaguchi Japanese Calligraphy Performance from Aoi Yamaguchi.

PUNK DRUNKERSという渋谷は千駄ヶ谷にあるファッションブランドが、西海岸はサンフランシスコ、Lower Haightを侵略しにやってきた。D-Structureは以前からSIRとしてもコラボをしようという話をしていたので、今回が(SIR全体としてではないが)実質初の計画実行となる。
今回のこの侵略計画を企てたのは他でもない、D-Structureの剣士であるTAKESHI BABA氏である。
「和+洋+遊び」をモットーとする彼らのこの侵略記念祝いのイベントで、書道のパフォーマンスをさせていただいてきた。

PUNK DRUNKERSの里美さんも浜田さんもおつかれさまです。
日本の文化をこういった形でストリートに持って行く彼らのスタイルにはかなりインスピレーションを受けました。
江頭とのコラボもさることながら、サンフランのクラウドにはかなりフレッシュなアートなのでは。
また日本での再会を楽しみに。。

今年も山口碧生を宜しくお願いします。

Read more

Art Basel Miami Beach 09 [Day2] – Aqua Art / Fountain

Art Shows, Events, Travel

No Comments


Share this post

Our 2nd day in Miami started a little late than we scheduled.  My body was crying and screaming because of the busy schedule from the first day, but the mild weather of Miami beach was soothing and refreshing.  No need for jackets or scarfs, just throw a tank-top and dress on you, and you’ll be fine.  Awesome, Miami…

First we decided to visit Aqua Wynwood, where two of my travel mates had their art works exhibited.

AQUA ART (http://www.aquaartmiami.com/)

Aqua Art is one of the big art fairs at Art Basel.  Participants are 50 galleries from cities like New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Osaka, ans so on.  Each gallery gets their own booth to exhibit art works and promote up-and-coming artists.

Aqua Floor Map

aqua_entrance2

aquaart_banner

aqua_entrance3

whitewalls

whitewall_booth

whitewalls2

I headed to Thinkspace, where Brett had his pieces exhibited.  Thinkspace is a contemporary art gallery from Los Angeles.

thinkspace_brett

brett_thinkspace

“Waiting #47” by Brett Amory

I love these two pieces.  I love they way he uses colors..

Brin also had his works exhibited at Aqua. Brin makes bronze sculpture and designs toys and figures for artists such as Mars-1 and Ron English.

Brin_sculpture

Brin_bronze

Brin_banana

I was also able to meet and talk with Ted Lincoln, who uses sumi-ink in his art works.  Since he uses similar ink and method in his creative process, I was interested in his works for a while – I saw his pieces at 111Minna a while ago, and they were so beautiful.  He used to live in San Francisco, but now he moved back to his hometown in Florida and owns a larger studio.

ted_lincoln

As I kept exploring, I found Gallery Edel from Osaka, which was the only one gallery from Japan at Aqua.  They had Yayoi Kusama’s piece at the front, obviously caught my attention immediately.  The gallerists got their unique “osaka” style humor in the conversation and I enjoyed contemporary Japanese art.

Edel

And I kept exploring…

bitsbybits

colordrips

glass_art

glass_red

dots

paint_floor

alphabets

light_ladder

sinkingguy

I love this.

ijime

light_installation

black

goldpanels

FromEdel

Gallary representatives from Edel Gallery, Osaka. おつかれさまです。Now you guys can party!

After spending three hours at Aqua Wynwood, we rented a car near the Miami Airport, and stopped by California Pizza Kitchen for the dinner.  Oh no we didn’t plan to go there, we just randomly stumbled upon CPK… I, of course, felt so funny about us having a dinner at CPK although we are in Miami.  I remember that all the menus were a little expensive than CPK in California.  We didn’t care anything at this point, since this trip has been troublesome for all of us…

brett_brin

julianne_pizzakitchen

“Waiting for my BBQ chicken salad!!”

Fountain (http://www.fountainexhibit.com/)

We drove back to Wynwood area to check out Fountain.  The loud sound of the live band performance at the outdoor area induced us to get in, as a flux of people pushed me into the party crowd regardlessly.

WynwoodFlag

Fountain Entrance

fountain_title

Fountain00

Fountain0

boxset

silkscreen

Live silkscreening demo.  It’s huge!

fountain2

fountain

tire

flippinhhole

scratch

Colors

We got lost on the way back to where we parked, then suddenly we found El Mac’s gigantic mural in a deserted area.  Breathtaking.  Look at Brin at the bottom – now you can see how big this is.

elmac_mural

ElMac2

I wanna do this in Japanese calligraphy version..

Back to South Beach, Beach Paradise Hotel.

aoi_talking

This is the last photo of me with my Sony Erricsson phone.  At this point, I didn’t know that my phone will be stolen at the beach after this fun conversation with my friend who missed Art Basel…

*

Hanging out at the beach all night, everything started to seem like a fairy tale in a well-made dream.  Art Basel in a summer-like breeze took me out to a paradise, far, far away from cold rain in San Francisco.  With this view, you’ll be speechless; nothing can be more eloquent to describe this moment than just feeling it.

miamibeach_sunrise

Floating house on the sea water.  This was part of installation for Art Basel, which I was not aware of.. With the marmalade sunrise as a background, it’s so beautiful that does not even look like it’s real… it is almost like a painting.

sunrise_four

To be continued…

You can view more pictures on my flickr.

Read more

Art Basel Miami Beach 09 [Day1] – Wynwood

Art Shows, Travel

No Comments


Share this post

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2009 12:25am.

Julianne Yates, Brett Amory and I departed from SFO, excited with our first trip to Miami and this America’s largest art fair, ART BASEL.  I wasn’t able to manage buying a new bikinis (simply we run out of time), but I was so excited to experience new vibes, meet people, get inspired by art, and relax in the tropical weather in Winter time, which I’ve never experienced in my life.

Rubbing our red eyes, three of us fell a sleep soon after the plane took off.

bordingpass

julianne_camera

texas_diamonds

We changed our plane at Texas, Dallas.  Diamond night view of Texas from the sky…

MIA

MIA! Already filled with tropical feeling!

fromwindshield

We stayed at a hotel called “Beach Paradise Hotel” on Ocean Dr. Brin Berliner, another travel mate, has checked in the hotel room already, taking a nap to store some energy for this adventure later on that night.

OceanDr2

ocean_dr

miamistreet

South Beach.

crabcake_sandwich

crab_lunch

bluesky_beach

SouthBeach
beach_walk

southbeach_jul

seawater

Our journey has begun.

Wynwood Walls: A collaboration between Deitch Projects & Goldman Properties

wynwood_artists

shephard3

shephard2

shephard1

mural1

mural4

mural5

aiko

photo_documents

BarryMcGee

artinprogress

twister_photos

YONE

I randomly met Yone, a Japanese photographer from Cexwork.  He was with his wife, strolling around the Wynwood area.  I was able to talk with him about how the Japanese art scene is so closed-minded and does not allow young artists to create something new without worrying about public image – “People are stiff.  Everything is done for money, and people just copy each other.  That is why nothing new grows in Japan right now”, Yone said…

“Stages”

stages_outside

stages_artists

tree1

stages_bike

pettibon

Raymond Pettibon’s piece.

I was surprised to see how famous Yoshitomo Nara, and Yayoi Kusama are besides Takashi Murakami in the United States.  They definitely redefined Japanese aesthetic in contemporary art scene, not only in Japan but also in foreign countries.  Their works are undeniably striking, but totally evolved from traditional Japanese aesthetics – they are something new.  As a Japanese calligrapher, I aim to preserve traditional aesthetics and skills and at the same time break the boundary of strict rules and old-fashioned practices.  If people begin to forget where we came from, and just look at the future… I wonder where Neo-Japan is heading to.

STAGES became one of my memorable places of this trip, and even of my life…

MaxFish
MaxFish, a hip & punk bar/art gallery in Lower East Side, NYC, installed their interior & exterior decorations in a space temporarily for Art Basel: art installations on the wall, illuminating bar, Jaccuzi Boys’ live performance, outside space, paint dripping on the exterior.  It was lovely to mingle with people from all over the country.

MaxFish

maxfish_wall

To be continued..

Read more

ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH ’09

Art Shows, Events, Travel

1 Comment


Share this post

このアパートの303号室に移り住んで、もう3ヶ月にもなるというのに、階段をいつも上りすぎたりもう一階足りなかったりする碧生です。
気づいたら屋上の階まで上ってたり、ここが3階だろうと思って部屋の前で鍵を差し込もうとしたら202だったり、、、
毎回、「は!!またやっちゃった」って独り言を漏らし、いそいそと本来の階を目指します。

…なんでだろう!?

そんなあたしですが、今夜の夜中1225am発の便で、マイアミへ行って参ります!

Picture 8

Miamiは人生初なので、もう気分はビーチ!カクテル!アート!セレブ!な盛り上がりをみせ、昨夜はなんと朝の6時までGallery HeistでJulianneとプロモーションマテリアルの準備。あたしは延々とwebsiteの更新。うちら二人で、謎にめっちゃ盛り上がってました。笑 アーティストのBrett AmoryとJulianneと3人で、Gallery Heist引っさげて出陣してきます。

このArt Basel、全米で最も大きなアートフェスで、ギャラリーというギャラリー、デザインファーム、ミュージシャンなどが全国、そして海外からも集まって盛大に開かれる末恐ろしい規模のイベントなのです。東京からもいくつか参加しているギャラリーを一覧で発見しました。

Heist一行は、主にAQUA ARTを目指して行きます。

Picture 9

↑あたしめっちゃ眠そう。。。

こんなビデオを夜な夜な作って二人できゃっきゃ言ってました
あたしもまだまだ若いみたいです 笑

冬にビキニを探しに行こうとしているのもある意味人生初かもしれません。考えてみたら、冬に暑いところに行ったことがなかった。さすが道産子。
でも天気はどうやら雨&雨&嵐&ときどき晴れらしくちょっと凹みますが、そんなことは関係なし!
いざゆかんMiami!
Miami is waiting for me!!!

Read more

THANKSGIVING ’09

Art Shows, Events

2 Comments


Share this post

今日は11月も最終日。
朝からフリーランスのデザインの仕事を一つ終わらせて、今は紀伊国屋さんへの作品づくり。
12月のテーマは「クリスマス、冬至、大晦日」なのですが。
こうして日本の文化について調べていると、長い海外生活で、忘れている風習も多いことに気づかされます。

「冬至」
二十四節気の一。12月22日頃。
太陽の中心が冬至点を通過する。北半球では一年中で昼がいちばん短く、夜が一番長くなる日。
この日には柚子湯に入ったり、地方に寄ってはカボチャを食べたりする風習がある。

(大辞泉)

今年は冬至の日にはカボチャの煮付けでも作って、お風呂入れて柚子湯に浸かろうかなぁ。

サンフランシスコは雪が降らない上に、T-shirtsで過ごせる日が突如訪れたりすることもあるくらいなので、冬を感じさせる要素が、道産子のあたしにとってはかなり少なく思えるのは確か。
ここ最近はかなり夜も冷え込んでいるけれど、治ったばかりの風邪をぶりかえさないように
気をつけて生活しないとね。

11月26日はアメリカではThanksgiving Holiday(感謝祭)でした。
友達のNoa-氏の家で、みんなでチキンを丸焼きにしたりして久しぶりに「日本的」なご飯会をしました。
相当食べたので、この後数日間はお腹が重いような気がしてならず。。

chicken

appetizer

potato

norimaki

table

feast

Oww we were so full.

turkeyday_flyer_v2

そして土曜日のSOMでの「POST TURKEY DAY FEATHER SHAKE」には、沢山の友達みんなが駆けつけてくれて、かなり楽しい夜を過ごせました。みんな来てくれてほんとありがとうー。
Hakoboが突然来週イベントやらないかと言って来てから、一週間ですべてを計画して、フライヤーも速攻デザインして(半日で。。。)出来るだけのプロモして‥ short noticeだったにも関わらず、みんな顔を出してくれてほんと嬉しかったよー。ありがとう!!
音楽はHip HopからSoul – Funk – House – Electroと流れて行って、かなり幅広い曲選だったけれど、みんなかなり楽しんで居た様子。Proof (Marky)に至っては、Thanksgivingの家族ディナーの為にシカゴに行っていたので、シカゴから夜の9時に帰って来て、空港から速攻SOMに駆けつけDJしたとのこと。。。さすがMassive Selectorを背負う男は気合いが違います。
この夜はThanksgiving Holiday weekのいい締めくくりになりました。
今後の課題も沢山見えました。
今後ともよろしくお願いします。
ちゃんちゃん♫

“POST TURKEY DAY FEATHER SHAKE” @ SOM on Saturday – although we planned this event at the last minute, a lot of my friends and fams showed their faces, enjoying art & music!
We really pushed this hard in two days. Hakobo asked me about doing some event a week ago, and I planned live painting with Noa-, designed the flyer, and promoted as much as I could. It was a good turn out!
Thank you all for your support, I’m sending love to you all!! Kisses & hugs.

livepainting_SOM

Collaborative live painting by Noa- and me.  It took about 3 and a half hours to finish this piece.
The theme is, of course, “music”.

aoi_noa

I’ll be performing live calligraphy in December as well, it’s gonna be a collaborative painting with Punk Drunkers from Tokyo. I’ll post more details later!

Read more

POST TURKEY DAY FEATHER SHAKE

Art Shows, Events, Music

No Comments


Share this post

なんともlast minuteなお知らせですが、今週末土曜日に、Noa-とふたりでSOMでライブペイントします!

*LAST MINUTE NOTICE!*

I’m gonna perform live painting with Noa- @ SOM (16th & South Van Ness, SF) this Saturday!

turkeyday_flyer_v2

About the venue, visit www.som-bar.com.

jpeg-1

Read more

Art, Music, and Eats.

Art Shows, Events, Music

No Comments


Share this post

ここ一週間、一気に忙しくなりました。

heistgallery_logo_b

先週から、Gallery Heistでインターンしてます。月曜定休ですが、毎日夜遅くまで空いてるので、仕事の帰りがてらでも遊びに来てくださーい。Mike Giant, Adam Caldwell, Brett Amory, Kevin Taylorをはじめ、見応えのあるアーティストの作品が壁を飾ってます。

I started to work for Gallery Heist last week as an intern.  The gallery is open from Tues – Sat: 12-10pm, Sun: 12-6pm. I’ll be there pretty often, so please come by!  Check out the website for more details.

heist_bw

SIR_logo

先週末、S.I.R.の次回のアートショーのミーティングをしました。今回も参加アーティストかなり多いです。テーマはEARTH「土」。新たな参加メンバーも顔合わせをして、改めてSIRの今後の方向性を話し合いました。フライヤーも今月中には仕上がってくる予定です。Webの更新もぼちぼち進んでます。

そのあと、Double Punchでのアートオープニングをのぞきにゆきました。Heistで展示しているアーティストの中の5人がここでも作品を展示しているということで…

S.I.R. crew is getting ready for the next art show, “EARTH”.  We had a meeting last Saturday at Space Gallery and redefined our direction.  18 artists will be exhibiting their art works.. I can’t wait how this turn out.

After the meeting, Akko, Natsumi from San Jose, Andrew and I went to Double Punch in North Beach to check out their art opening, entitled as “We haven’t felt this way in years“. This show and Now Or Never at Gallery Heist share 5 same artists.

double_punch

double_punch_interior

double_punch_entrance

double_punch_art2

double_punch_art1

colorfulcircle

colorful_guys

bape

一階はトイのフロアになっていて、数えきれないほど多種多様な日本のおもちゃも店内を埋め尽くしていました。ゲームやる人たちにはかなり心躍るフィギュアとかあるんだろうなと思うけれど、、あたしの心を躍らせたのは、ガチャピンのおもちゃでした(笑)あんなの、日本でも見たことないような。。。日本のアニメ&ストリート文化の浸透ぶりを目の当たりにした碧生でした。

このあとは、Jazzanova@SOM!

We stopped by Birite Icecream in Mission (such an awesome icecream place in the city!), and then we head over to SOM for Jazzanova.  Well, not the whole members of the band came over from Germany, but it shook my head & body for sure.

jazzanova

jazzanova2

beam_light

I danced like a crazy person, totally soaked in my own sweat, and that’s how I caught a cold the next day… I had a fever yesterday, but I feel much better today.  Gotta get some rest for tomorrow – Thanksgiving Day a.k.a. Turkey Day!

Read more

Featuring Recent Posts WordPress Widget development by YD