Mr. Kim was in Washington, DC this past weekend.  During the end of his trip, my cousin, Rickey and I went to the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institute’s American Art Museum.

Minutes before the Smithsonian closed, we were reaching the end of the Modern and Contemporary exhibits located in the Lincoln Gallery of the Museum.  As we came around the corner, we did not anticipate catching sight of Nam June Paik’s amazing video art.  The neon video installation by Nam June Paik is called Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S. Paik was one of the first to use the term “Electronic Highway” which dates back to 1974. Interestingly enough, Rickey had made a reference to Paik during an earlier discussion.

Can you imagine a world without advanced technology and communications?

Electronic Superhighway (Charles Stutts)

Check out this video I found on YouTube:

Here is a description from the Smithsonian Institution:

“When Nam June Paik came to the United States in 1964, the interstate highway system was only nine years old, and superhighways offered everyone the freedom to “see the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet.” Walking along the entire length of this installation suggests the enormous scale of the nation that confronted the young Korean artist when he arrived. Neon outlines the monitors, recalling the multicolored maps and glowing enticements of motels and restaurants that beckoned Americans to the open road. The different colors remind us that individual states still have distinct identities and cultures, even in today’s information age.”

The South Korean (born) artist developed an interest in electronic art while studying in Germany.  His work is displayed in museums located in the states as well as internationally (Italy, Germany, Japan, Australia and Greece).  Paik’s ability to capture electronic moving images on television screens is far beyond technology in his days.  Standing at 15 x 40 x 4 ft. in height, it took me a moment to absorb Paik’s sculpture of America.

To construct this large sculpture, Paik used forty-seven channel and close circuit video installations.  There are approximately 336 monitors displaying flash images associated with a particular location on the map. A reference to the Wizard of Oz may be symbolic to Paik because the movie was the first full length feature to be shown in color on CBS (1956). It was also the first film on prime-time television.

I was in “aw” of this sculpture and it’s still amazing to think that Paik developed this idea before the internet was created by the Department of Defense.  You may not appreciate art in this form but Paik was a pioneer like many great artists in American history who’s legacy continues to inspire us each day.

A larger zoom version of Paik’s work is featured on the Smithsonian Institute’s website.

Below are photographs that I found.  There is a current exhibit featuring his work in Hanvoer as well.

Tv Cello (http://www.lyseo.edu)

I Never Read Wittgenstein (http://www.artnet.com)

Video Piano (Artnet)

“Nam June Paik. Works from the Kunsthalle Bremen” is located in the Sprengel Museum in Hannover. The exhibition runs until February 22, 2009. (NIGEL TREBLIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Source: Smithsonian Institute, Nam June Paik

The fascination of American pop culture has been a huge influence in Japanese youth and street culture for many decades.  In the 1990s, the concept of cool t-shirts with Western designs attracted three Japanese graphic designers.  This phenomenon of Western influence lead to the formation of Graniph in 2001, a clothing design company specializing in limited edition graphic t-shirts.

Graniph’s unique branding strategy uses 30% of designs by Graniph employed artists and 70% of external designs to release specialized t-shirts.  The external designs come from local Japanese artist, international artists and a few designs selected during special events and competitions.  Each month, Graniph releases 7o to 100 designs a month (and 130 designs during the summer) in a limited quantity of t-shirts positioned at $20 USD (2500 Yen).

The concept of Western like designs and prices was not common in Japan.  The youth of Japan quickly became interested in Graniph due to it’s unique branding and concept of American prices and designs similar to a t-shirt worn by a kid in Brooklyn.  Below are images of various Graniph t-shirt designs:

In 2007, Graniph launched the first international t-shirt design competition with the intention of attracting talented young artist around the globe.  During the first year of the competition, the company received 15,000 designs.

From February 1-29th, Graniph will accept submissions for their their competition. Photographs, graphics, pictures and illustrations are all accepted.  The grand prized design will win one million yen, that’s the equivalent of $9,000 USD!

For information regarding contest rules, please click here.

Source: Graniph

Digital Gravel is anxiously trying to unload inventory with their 50% off everything sale.  Simply enter “2008″ in the promotion code field.  The only catch is if your favorite brand is RECON like mine is, grabbing that favorite “I miss the old New York” tee is limited to a large or extra large.  And I’m your typical Asian that wears s’medium.  Enjoy digging.

Image Source: Digital Gravel

As reported yesterday, the Manifest Hope art show will be heading to the district during President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration week.

An online contest for the DC show has been announced today.  Manifest Hope DC is currently accepting art submissions centered around three categories:

• Manifest Opportunity - Stimulating The Green Economy
• Manifest Change - Health Care Reform
• Manifest Unity - Protecting Workers’ Rights

Judges will select 15 winning pieces to be featured in the DC show.  The list of judges include Shepard Fairey, Spike Lee, Anne Ellegood, David Rolf, Eric Hilton, Laura Dawn and Van Jones. Please click here for contest rules.

The deadline for submissions has been set for January 9th.  The clock is ticking, get your submissions in early folks!

MANIFEST HOPE: DC Gallery
3333 M Street NW
Washington DC 20007
www.manifesthope.com

Source: Obama Art Report, Manifest Hope DC

Shepard Fairey unveiled a huge Obama piece for the Manifest Hope Gallery during the Democratic National Convention in August.  After a successful show in Denver, the art show will be making a stop in the nation’s capital during Barack Obama’s inauguration.

From January 17-19th, the gallery will be open to the public at a location along the main strip of Georgetown.  For more news and updates regarding the art show, please visit Manifest Hope’s website.

This is going to be great way to kick off inauguration week!  You do not want to miss out on this event!

The pictures below were taken in Denver:

I hope Fairey releases a new Obama piece in DC.

Art plays a pivotal role in creating cultural momentum. The MANIFEST HOPE: DC Gallery celebrates that role and shines a spotlight on artists who use their voices to amplify and motivate the grassroots movement that carried President-Elect Barack Obama to victory.

MANIFEST HOPE: DC gathers together a diverse array of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to mark this monumental achievement in our nation’s history and encourages artists and activists to maintain the momentum to bring about true change in the United States.

Along with its partners, MoveOn.org Political Action, the Service Employees International Union and Obey Giant, MANIFEST HOPE: DC, will issue an inspiring visual call-to-action, encouraging a redirection of public energy toward true reform in three key areas:

Health Care Reform
Workers’ Rights
The Green Economy

The MANIFEST HOPE: DC Gallery will be open to the public in Washington, DC for the days preceding the Presidential Inauguration, Saturday, January 17th, 2009 through Monday, January 19th, 2009 between the hours of 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

MANIFESTHOPE: DC
January 17th-19th, 2009
10:00am - 6:00pm
3333 M Street NW, Washington DC 20007

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: (partial list)
Aaron Foster, Aaron Axelrod, Amy Martin, Andy Cruz, Andy Howell, Bask, Billy Colbert, BOOKSIIII, Brian McCarty, Chris Stain, Chris Pastras, Cody Hudson, Damon Locks, Dan Monic, Dan Woehrle, David Choe, Deroy Peraza, Eddie, El Mac, Felix Jackson Jr., Frederic Terral, Gary Baseman, George Vlosich, Ginger Che, Guillermo Bert, Herb Williams, James Widener, Jovi Chanell,  Julie Adler, Justin Kleiner, Justin Hampton, Katherine Kendall, Kelly Towles, Kelly Ording, Kenji Hirata, Kwaku Alston, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Lukas Ketner, Margaret Coble, Mark Jenkins, Matt Kleiner, Maya Hayuk, Mel Kadel, Mike Murphy, Mike Jacob, Nick Dewar, Phillip Clark, Rafael Lopez, Ray Noland, Regan Rosburg, Ron English, Sage Vaughn, Sam Flores, Sarah Hoskins, Scot LeFavor, Shel Starkman, Sol Sender, Tanya M Rodrigo, Tatyanna Fazlalizadeh, Tes One, Tim Conlon, Tina Rodas, Tom Slaughter, Travis Millard, Tristan Eaton, Tugboat Printshop,  Tyler Gibney, Van Taylor Monroe, Will Barras, Yvonne Boogaerts

Source: Manifest Hope, a35mmlife

Christmas is literally around the corner.  Late online shoppers, rejoice as  Digital Gravel is offering a 51% sale on all items today.  Simply enter the code: FIFTYONE at check out.  The sale is only good for today and the other pending condition is that your gifts or self gifts will arrive after Christmas.  On a side note, 51% is an awfully strange percentage.  But regardless, a sale is a sale.  Take advantage.

Image Source: Digital Gravel

The Spectrum Events and Killahbeez CD Giveaway Chi-Town Editon - Kanye West & Common ended yesterday.  If you missed out on this contest, we will be having more freebies in the near future. We will announce the winner in a few days and provide you with more details regarding our next giveaway soon.

Also, big ups to Common for mentioning Killahbeez on his blog this week.  The Killahbeez family enjoys reading the comments that you guys leave on our site, as well as receiving love from other sites and blogs. Drop us a line and let us know what is on your mind.

Click on the screen shot to see the full version of Common’s blog below:

Source: Common

Rick Stengel, Time Magazine’s Managing Editor, appeared on the Today Show to announce President-elect Barack Obama as the person of the year in 2008.  A new iconic image of Barack Obama created by Shepard Fairey is featured on the cover as well.

Here is an excerpt from Time Magazine:

“Our cover portrait is by the street artist Shepard Fairey, whose roots are in the skateboarding world and whose early poster of then Senator Obama became the great populist image of the campaign. With this cover, Fairey has now created a new iconic image of the President-elect — a rich, multilayered poster that echoes but then expands on his original.”

This was a no brainer, as we have witnessed a historical moment in our generation.  Forty years after Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech, America has finally “reached the promise land”.

As stated in my earlier post, Barack Obama is the quintessential gentlemen that topped my best dressed list. He also receives the number one spot in my list of inspirations for 2008.

Fire it up, ready to go!  Welcome to Washington Mr. President!

Source: Time