Wei-Yu At?!

recently, i've been trying to track down art pieces done by my one of my closest buddies, Wei-Yu "Billy" Tu. we were roommates in college and someone i could kick it with and trust to share personal stories. he's moved back to Asia a couple years ago. i was able to find a few of his pieces, including the two below. my regret is that i didn't keep more of them, as he either stored them with other people or threw them away claiming they weren't good enough to keep. even though he doesn't do much art nowadays i think it's important that those that know him as a talented artist, remember the work he did share with us and also share them with others. So here's to Billy and his talents.

i found Billy doing this piece in our SF apartment in 2005. he was probably on something when he was working on it. he claims that his wandering mind did all the work and that his hands followed suit. he didn't realize till after he had finished that he had drawn multiple faces "on accident." he counted them and found over 20 faces in the picture. unfortunately, i found this piece not well-preserved so the quality was a bit tainted. if you can look close enough, you'll be able to find a few faces still hidden.

Billy had a knack for color. this piece was no exception. who's the girl? and who's the guy in the top left corner? that's for our interpretation, but i'm guessing its a girl he was too ashamed to pursue. what do you think?

Dirty Hands

I got to meet David Choe once. He was painting a live mural at 111 Minna. I was interning at Upper Playground at that time, and I was pretty stoked about meeting him since I'd already been a huge fan of his for some time. Based on his blogs and what others said about him, I figured he was gonna be some snobby punk that really wouldn't give a "ish" about someone like me. But when I met him, he was funny, humble and very receptive of his fans. It was a surprise, but extremely refreshing to find the guy so many people including myself consider to be so brilliant to also be so down-to-earth. And it was a mistake for me to make so many assumptions about him without even meeting the guy. Sometimes people do surprise you.

When I saw Dirty Hands, a documentary of David Choe's life and work, I got to see the different sides to the person - as a son, artist, innovator, student, and even boyfriend. Right from the get go of the film, you get to see and hear how his mind works and what really makes him tick as an artist. You get the sense that he lives his life with a sort of reckless abandon. But still he finds structure in his art and in his devotion to those select people that have shaped and influenced his life. In his film, he says, "I do art for those that don't give a f*ck about art." He does it for anyone and everyone that wants to see and appreciate it. He doesn't stereotype his audience or isolate anyone from his art. He does it to express himself, destroy property, and send a message. Although not an uncommon perspective by contemporary artists, his outlook makes him a real person, sincere and authentic with unselfish motives.

It's a bit tragic that Dirty Hands did not have the funding and support to be shown in more theaters here in the Bay Area. Especially with his huge following, Dirty Hands could have proved to be a positive sales generator for featured venues. Likewise, all of his fans should be able to see this film and gain a better understanding of him. There is certainly an opportunity out there to generate a greater buzz for films such as these within the public. Dirty Hands was more than a documentary of an artist. It showcases a person's struggle to fight his inner demons and use his talents as a form of release, translating those demons into works of art.

If your down in LA on October 24th, help celebrate the opening of Giant Robot's 15 year Biennale Show

Here's a preview of a few prints by David Choe that will be made available on October 24, 2009 at 12:01 am. Visit David Choe's blog at davechoe.blogspot.com for more information on these pieces and how you can get your hands on them.

DEATH BLOSSOM
Price: $555
Print Dimension: 44" w x 44" l
Design Dimension: 40" w x 40" l
Limited Edition: 38 prints signed and numbered with COA

Choebot: Version Dato-Unko Happy Lee (Heavy Liquid Armoured) aka K-Town Special
Price: $808
Print Dimension: 40" w x 48" l
Design Dimension: 36" w x 44" l
Limited Edition: 5 prints signed and numbered with COA

Choebot: Version BBBJTCNQNS-Mad Park
Price: $808
Print Dimension: 28" w x 48" l
Design Dimension: 24" w x 44" l
Limited Edition: 5 prints signed and numbered with COA

Find the Art in your Work

Art certainly doesn't need to be limited to drawing, painting, and photography. There's an Art in everything we do. Even how we WORK. Although a bit challenging to find in many occupational situations, every job ultimately provides us with the means of utilizing our creativity. From organizing our desk to developing a sales pitch, we're all potential artists of the workspace. I've been blessed to have a job where I can exercise my creativity on a regular basis. As a Visual Specialist at Niketown SF, I design floor space, merchandise walls, and stylize mannequins to highlight Nike's latest apparel, footwear, and equipment. Of all the creative outlets I possess as a Visual Specialist, my favorite would have to be dressing mannequins, especially female mannequins. I prefer dressing females over males because women have more accessories, colors, and variations of clothing to play around with. Sometimes, I dress my female mannequins based on what I think a girl should wear to the gym. What would get her noticed? What would make her feel comfortable? And sometimes, I try to think way outside the box and come up with mannequin outfits that girls may not necessarily wear but will definitely notice when they walk by it at the store. God knows I don't need every woman to like the outfits I choose. I just want my mannequins to be noticed. I want them to generate opinions, including negative ones. If my mannequins can impel someone to say "oOoOoo, this is kinda cool" or "what the hell is she wearing" or "screw the rest of her, I just really want this jacket," I feel I've done my job.

Here's some of my work. Let me know what you think!

Are YOU Training True?

Niketown New York sent us pictures of their mannequin composition for Nike's Women's Training "Are You Training True?" Initiative. Our Visual Partners from Nike World Headquarters (WHQ) asked our Visual Team at Niketown San Francisco to model our initiative mannequins after theirs. Joe, my fellow Visual Specialist, and I were appointed this task. We decided to put our own spin on WHQ's direction. We decided to add our flavor, our own twist on the "Are You Training True?" concept. The picture above is what we came up with. Using only Women's Training Apparel and Footwear, we designed a color scheme of multiple colors - pink, blue, and green. We layered various pieces on our mannequins to add color "pop." We used accessories, like bags, wristbands, and socks to add more color. Joe and I hand-picked the mannequin poses we deemed best for our composition to add flair and attitude. Although it took Joe and I three hours to complete this cluster, we were very happy with the outcome. And of course, we sent our pictures to Niketown New York to show them what the "Are You Training True?" mannequins should look like. A week later, Joe and I saw "Beat Freaks," former contestants of America's Best Dance Crew wearing our Women's Training tanks.

"Desperate Housewives Playing Golf"

Niketown SF's Men's Golf business far exceeds Women's Golf in terms of sales. In order to highlight our Women's Golf apparel, I decided to dress 5 female golfer mannequins. I tried picturing what young, attractive, corporate golfers would wear. I envisioned them having attitude and having a sophisticated fashion sense. The picture above is what I came up with. (The mannequin holding the umbrella was my pride and joy as I had to tie the umbrella to the ceiling with fishing line, just to make sure it wouldn't fall when customers inevitably try to touch it.)

Live STRONG

Finally, Niketown SF received Livestrong apparel that wasn't so YELLOW. I tried to mix in our new, pink Livestrong pieces with our Yellow pieces in order to give it more color pop. And who said female bikers couldn't be sexy and have attitude?! I utilized different poses and accessories to give them more style.

Yo-GIRL

Nike recently released a youthful Yoga Initiative in attempt to attract a younger customer base. Sending us the most colorful Yoga apparel I've seen since I started as a Visual Specialist at Niketown SF, I wanted to highlight a variety of our new pieces. I tried to highlight our new graphic tee's, tanks, pull-over's, and capri's. I tried not to get too far-fetched in my stylizing, as I still wanted to remain true to the Yoga customer base.

Whether you have my job or a desk job, always look for ways to break away from routine and express yourself at work. Add color to your spreadsheets, use vivid examples when engaging in dialogue with potential customers, propose groundbreaking ideas even if they're unfeasible, or decorate your office to add more life to your workspace. Be different. Be bold. And don't forget to think out of the box and Color Outside the Lines.

.S2.

the lord above blessed us wit so many words
its our duty to give them meaning, tie them to verse.
rhymes and rhythms inspire ears of all races and ages
writers give listeners hope as we forward the pages.
admire an author's conviction and unparalleled composition
or an influential speaker's calm, yet mighty disposition.
we must honor those artists who continue to manipulate
translating lyrical content through mass media to insinuate
that prose lives beyond paper n bleeds deeper than ink
they bind society, breathe life, and keep ideas in sync.

.S2.

Michael Jackson, August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009

The piece to the left, entitled "Michael in Space," was done by Benjamin King, Co-Founder of PAL.

If you could be any person for 1 day, who would you be?! Ghandi, Michael Jordan, President Obama, Jesus, Bill Gates??? Personally (and I truly kid you not), I'd choose to be the King of Pop himself, the late Michael Jackson. And the reason is simple. Even as a kind, I've always wondered, "What the hell is going on in this guy's head?" Was music constantly playing in there? Was he envisioning his next music video? Or was he more human than the media let on and looking for new ways to break barriers and "Heal the World"? Or was his mind with his family - his kids, his mother, Berry Gordy? I'll never know or even fully understand the roller-coaster in MJ's mind, but I'd sure love the opportunity to find out! Maybe it's actually a combination of all my ideas, or maybe I'm not even in the ball park. One thing's for sure though, wherever or whenever his head was, we all knew where his heart lied. He had a strong passion for music, life, love, and family, and unlike many stars today, he wasn't afraid to show it.

MJ was a real person, and it must have been hard being him on most days. Constantly criticized and ridiculed by the public eye, he was perhaps a victim of fame and fortune rather than an icon immersed in it. From his alleged obsession with young boys to his infamous surgeries and questions regarding his sexuality, what more could 1 guy possibly deal with. Maybe he was just chasing a childhood he never had. Or maybe he possessed such a jaded perception of reality that he didn't realize the consequences of his actions. Regardless of what made him do those things, how can anyone deny him, for being the humanitarian and music icon that he was. His achievements speak volumes and should never fall upon deaf ears. He will always be missed and remembered. And I can only speculate he's somewhere, still MOONWALKING his way into the hearts of a new generation of fans.

.S2.

Everything is an ART, Everything is a SCIENCE

PIECES BY ROBB OSHIMA, CO-FOUNDER OF PAL

GIRAFFE

FRESHNESS

In the heat of a conversation, Robb, the Co-founder of PAL, once told me that, "Everything is an art and everything is a science. It's the combination of the two that makes everything work. And don't try to fit into art, make art fit YOU."

His words came after I told him that I wish I possessed his artistic ability. I told him that I wished I could draw and paint just like him. He made me realize, however, that I shouldn't think I lack in artistic ability just because I think my drawings look like something I threw up after a night of drinking. Art and the beauty that stems from engaging in it lies truly in the eyes of the beholder.

Who says that a 5 year old's finger painting is not art? Who says that letters scribbled on a canvas is not art? Who says that a lady putting makeup on her daughter is not an artist? Art in its many forms, whether it be music, poetry, painting, or dance has both intrinsic and extrinsic value. It makes you think, feel, and react. And it shouldn't be limited to just those specific forms of expression. Find what intrigues YOU, what makes YOU think outside the box, and what makes YOU wonder what if.

Unfortunately, in today's society, art comes packaged with a plethora of rules, limitations, and snobbish definitions. We should keep in mind that at the essence of what art is interpretation. Because we're all born and brought up with different cultures, lifestyles, values, and beliefs, we all interpret things differently from the guy next door. What may look deep and inspirational to you may seem shallow and depressing to someone else. The important thing is to respect the thoughts and opinions of others as we stay true to our own. And we should ALWAYS have an opinion of our own. That's what makes us human, individual, and unique.

Lastly, don't ever feel trapped by rules, boundaries, or even fear. Imagine, Create, and Marvel. And always remember to COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES!!

.S2.

suddenly something surfaces from deep inside this semblance. my soft tongue bleeds silent sarcasm of simplicity. certain feelings find serenity suffocating in my soul but yet i still strain to voice scintillating substance sparingly for society. if my words lose something in translation i'm sincerely sorry for my shortcomings. i take stake surmising sizzling situations for these feelings to suppress. something about this less spacious vestibule sparks this silence to creep forward. i no longer feel insecure by this insatiable thirst to segue my thoughts into tangible sanctities. i feel liberated, set free. i hope to seduce similar students of this subject into submission. i would never insinuate but i must say that i speculate a sinister demon in me strangling my satirical essence, persuading it to succumb to this steadfast science. i'm stuck still searching for the suitable syllables that can suffice this circumstance. and yet i find some strength speaking so discreetly about my sanity because i find solace knowing my secrets do not fall on deaf senses. stable standards of spoken word contradict my style. yet samples of my work give glimpses that special scenarios in my life have transpired.

.S2.