Celestial Beings by Alvaro Ilizarbe / Freegums

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

with support from adidas and the Standard.

Opening: August 21, 2010, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

http://gallery.hvw8.com/category/current/
http://www.freegums.com

HVW8 presents Celestial Beings a solo exhibition by Alvaro Ilizarbe / Freegums. For this show Alvaro painted large wooden pieces portraying large forces that lie in the space around us. With a variety of finely painted lines Alvaro draws upon space and shapes to transform the gallery into a a portal to a parallel dimension.

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Bill McMullen:

Checks Cashed

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery

661 N. Spaulding Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Opening: July 31, 2010, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Closes: August 20, 2010

http://gallery.hvw8.com/category/current/

www.billmcmullen.com

“Bill McMullen wields a light-saber wit all his own… Think Bruce Nauman meets blaxploitation: funky but chic, subversively milking high art for cheap laughs.”

– Flavorpill

Checks Cashed is the new gallery show by beloved/notorius artist Bill McMullen, opening July 31^st, 2010 at Los Angeles’ HVW8 Art + Design Gallery. Checks Cashed is all about subverting history with absurd pop-cultured imagery. The new work from the Southern California bred, NYC-based McMullen embraces both Situationism and situation comedy, landing in between with its confrontational black-and-white monochrome language of punk rock flyers and escort-service ads. It’s at once familiar, entertaining, and disturbing, especially to a new generation of consumers who’ve never had to deal with anything like the economic failure, war, or the environmental disasters of today.

McMullen is renowned for his witty, pointed combination of high art presentation, graphic design immediacy, and street art’s confrontational boldness. He’s as well known for his KidRobot toys, Adidas designs, and Beastie Boys album covers as he is for his gallery shows, and he blends that provocative sensibility into Checks Cashed. Rooted in the visual language familiar to those living paycheck to paycheck, Checks Cashed picks up where McMullen’s previous exhibition at L.A.’s Constant Gallery, 2009’s Hype, Hustle, Rip Off, left off (“Fantastic cutting-edge art – definitely worth seeking out,” SlamXHype raved; “McMullen’s work ultimately resonates because it does more than brand, copy, market, and elevate,” noted Limité). But where Hype… demonstrated McMullen’s multimedia ADD (turning R2D2 into a boombox, reconfiguring Starbucks and Coca-Cola logos into camo combat gear) in his new work, McMullen strips away his relentless, Times Square-meets-Roppongi color palette. Instead, he focuses on the iconic, harsh black-and-white half-tone of old-school newspapers and pre-Internet Xeroxed ‘zines –

even down to painting the exhibition walls black, contradicting the traditional gallery “white cube.”

Here, McMullen combines the radical photomontage of Barbara Kruger and John Heartfield, the pop appropriation of Richard Prince and Andy Warhol, and the irreverent cut-and-paste sampling of hip-hop – all with the flavor of someone known for, say, designing Method Man album covers. Ultimately, Checks Cashed compels because of that same contradiction: putting his money where his mouth is, McMullen balances conceptual toughness with advertising’s seductive surfaces and the irreverence of urban culture. – Matt Diehl

Slippery People

New Works by Noah Butkus

Opening Night: Saturday June 19th 7 - 10pm

with support from Stussy, The Standard and adidas.

bio:

Growing up, Noah found himself spending all of his time with skateboards and comic books. This is where he found all his inspiration, and for the most part still does. Aside from art and design for the band Death Threat, his first widely recognized output appeared on graphics for Burton Snowboards. This work was followed by commissions for posters, ads, catalogs, and product applications from a wide variety of companies.

INTERVIEW OPENER:
There is an intangible feeling of nostalgia embedded in so much of Noah Butkus’s work. It’s a quality that’s vividly displayed in his stark black and white illustrations and whimsical paintings, but nearly impossible to explain, and his illustrations often delve into darker, even stranger territory. Mysterious hooded men disembowel one another with swords while jousting on skateboards; squishy, intestine-like tubes (with tongues) serpentine through homes that are actually hamburgers; and skull-faced men with empty eye sockets look on, faces melting. And while it may sound like the work of a deeply troubled mind, Butkus flawlessly pulls it of, treading a thin line between serious and surreal.

A child of the 1970s, and a self-taught artist, Butkus cites comic books as a key influence on and inspiration for his work. But not just any comic books, Mr. Butkus has standards, referencing the output of artists who dominated the scene in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Illustrators like Jim Steranko, Moebius, and Richard Corben are among the names he quickly rattles off. But there is more to Mr. Butkus than illustration, he is also a successful graphic designer, having done work for a range of clients from Burton Snowboards (where he honed his design skills) to Stussy to Nike. And while Butkus mentions that he’s been drawing most of his life, he claims he originally got the bug to pursue art after doing t-shirt and album cover art for his brother’s hardcore band, Death Threat . A five-year stint in the trenches at a screenprinting shop followed before he broke off to design snowboard graphics at Burton.

Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Butkus now lives in Manhattan. At 32, he has already paid considerable dues in the art world. No longer tied to a company desk he spends his days at his studio, balancing commercial and personal work. In recent years he has also begun exhibiting his work in both solo and group exhibitions. Having worked with Mr. Butkus in the past, he contributed a page to an anthology I edited in 2005 called Young & Reckless , I wanted to catch up with him and talk at greater length about his work. I hope you enjoy.

here’s the rest of the interview
http://matthewnewton.us/madeyoulook/noahbutkus#6slideshow-325-field_multiimage

Blog links:

Slippery People at HVW8 on Hypebeast

MONDAY, May 24th 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“One Way or Another”
Currated by Isaac McKay-Randozzi and Sandro Grison

There have been countless exhibitions of the art inspired by skateboard culture. Decks and shoes adorned with the paint splatter from our favorite skaters from yesteryear. Showing that not only does skateboarding breed creativity, but with it astounding prowess. In recent years professional skaters such as Ed Templeton, Jason Lee, Mark Gonzales, Chris Pastras and Jason Adams have carved their own ways into the world of art with
favorable reviews. Now and for the first time ever Color Magazine brings together the artists who make up the skateboarding world today, as we see it. Representing the wide spectrum of the industry, these artists come together for the pure love of a skate-trip.

Greg PNut Galinsky (Vans), Andrew Pommier (Momentum Wheels, RVCA), Michael Leon (Commonwealth Stacks), Mark ‘Fos’ Foster (Herion Skateboards/Altamont Clothing), Todd Bratrud (High 5/Nike), Ben Horton (Slave Skateboards), Donny Miller (Vans/Skate Mental), Michael Sieben (Volcom/Roger) and Mat O’Brien(Krooked/SLAP) will be traveling from around the country and the U.K. tothree cities showing the wonderful and inspirational work they do. Others like Dennis McNett (Anti-Hero/Vans), Travis Millard (Fudge Factory Comics),Geoff McFetridge (Solitary Arts/Girl), Andy Jenkins (Girl), Matt
Irving(adidas, Delphi), and Eric Anthony (4 Star Clothing/Girl) are contributing art for these one-night shows starting in Los Angeles at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, then Escapist in Kansas City, MO ending at the No Comply Skate Shop in Austin, TX.

SHOWS:

Saturday, May 29 (7 - 10 pm)
HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave.
L.A., Ca 90036
323 655 4898

Friday, June 4 (6-11pm)
Escapist
405 Southwest Blvd.
Kansas City, Mo 64153
816 842 2504

Monday, June 7 (6-11pm)
No Comply
812 W. 12th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512 804 0472

“One Way or Another will feature some of the most talented folks in the skateboarding industry. Each artist involved is donating their valuable time, skill and resources to inspire the next generation of creators.”
- co-curator Isaac McKay-Randozzi.

During the tour they will be camping out, skating local spots and cavorting with each community on the most grass roots level.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Eric Anthony, Todd Bratrud, Mark Fos Foster, Greg Pnut Galinsky,
Ben Horton, Matt Irving, Andy Jenkins, Michael Leon,
Geoff Mcfetridge, Travis Millard, Donny Miller, Mat O’Brien,
Dennis McNett, Andrew Pommier, Michael Sieben

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

These are the artists behind the brands, making the graphics for companies that have inspired us for many years. The premise of this group show serves to reconnect these artists with what got them where they are at in the first place: their skateboards. With support from Vans shoes, on May 28th they trade in their comfortable studios and desks for a snug ride in a van (generously provided by Volcom clothing) with over 100 pieces of art, a dozen skateboards and camping gear to embark on a classic skate-trip across
part of America. Bringing one-night-only art shows to L.A., Kansas City, and Austin.

“The unique thing about this group is that they are widely known for their art and work for skateboard companies and little known [due mostly to their own authority] for their action on their skateboards.”

ABOUT CONTRIBUTOR:
Working with non-profit organizations, Contributor aims to provide “skateboards for all” underprivileged and at risk youth in lower-income neighborhoods. Their mission is to encourage successful outcomes through the addition of skateboarding as a positive reinforcement.
http://www.wearecontributors.com

PRESS CONTACT:

Morgan Pharoh
morgan@rawmaterialcom.com
714 791 0777

http://www.rawmaterialcom.com

NEW WORKS by Charles Munka

Opening Night: Saturday May 22nd 7 - 10pm

Music courtesy: Andrew Meza, Brainfeeder and surprise special guests.

While various elements of popular culture have led the human species down a blind alley, there arise moments of personal escape and reflection through the jungles of the mind. Spanning multiple
continents and absorbing the raw data of his surroundings, Charles Munka presents his latest series of work in a combination of past influences and current locales. Angry faces, pop references, and
ancient symbols connect under the colorful wiring board of each mind map. As each piece seems to encourage a different freedom of association, the patterns of symbols throughout the series reinforce
each other into an immediate and colorful experience of the whole.

Born in Lyon, France, Charles Munka (aka Ques) was raised and studied art in the city before living much of his adult life in Asia. Initially making the move to Japan to work in the video game industry, he later moved to Shanghai and now currently resides in Hong Kong.

A member of the French art collective, LCP United, Munka’s style is strongly influenced by hip-hop and the progressive L.A. beat scene. His gateway to the westside came via Andrew Meza of BTS Radio in LA, who in thoroughly modern fashion met through MySpace in 2005. The two began collaborating on logos and designs for the music being played on the program and subsequently, Munka became the visual voice of the BTS sound and later led to his partnership with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder collective. Using mixed media, Munka’s work captures a new style of art that blends more traditional aspects of graffiti and his identification with contemporary and historical imagery from film, video games, abstract expressionism and pop art.

He was widely recognized for his ‘Finest Elements’ series of animated representations of artists such as MF DOOM, Madlib, J Dilla, Flying Lotus and RZA, among other notable producers and MCs.

Munka has toured extensively throughout Asia, America and Europe creating his art live at Brainfeeder events and most recently, during Samiyam gigs in Korea and Shanghai.

Munka is currently coming off of an extremely successful art show in Kanazawa, Japan with Los Angeles based producer/artist, Teebs. The two displayed and collaborated on several pieces for the event, many of which are now in private collections.

For more work by Charles Munka, visit: http://www.lcp-united.com

With support from adidas, the Standard Hotel and LA Record.

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave.
90036

Charles Munka Interview during his show at the HVW8 Art +Design Gallery.

Photos from Opening Night.

On Friday April 9th the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery will be hosting the Heel Bruise book launch for the last batch of Disaster zines. Celebrating its origins in counter culture youth movements and DIY bookmaking, the Disaster zine highlights the art of Lance Mountain, Thomas Yu, and SkyPage. The final edition comes signed and numbered with a Disaster zine tee shirt. Also on display will be a selection of new works from the three contributing artists, and sounds courtesy of Ras Dynamite (aka Lance C. Mountain).

Book quantity is limited, early arrival suggested.

Designer/artist Thomas Yu received a B.A. in illustration from the Art Center in 2000 and went on create artwork for Warner Brothers Music, broadcast graphics for FOX entertainment, as well as designs for Stussy, HUF, The Firm, and Listen skateboards. Yu has been credited for creating art for Nike SB identity and is currently the brand manager and creative director at Heel Bruise.

Skypage’s work has been recognized in book publications: Graffiti L.A, Graffiti World, Bay Area Graffiti, and Parallel strokes. He has also been featured in the pages of Mass Appeal, XXL, Big Time, ANPQuarterly and Arkitip. Currently living and working in Los Angeles, Skypage creates large scale public works and medium format studio works.

Professional skateboarder, perennial art maker, innovator, and inventor, Lance Mountain spent his formative years creating board art, and concepts for skateboard industry pioneers Dog Town, Santa Cruz, and Powell Peralta. He would later continue on to form his own team, The Firm, as well a continue to contribute art for Hosoi, Flip, Stussy and Nike S.B. The decorated skateboarder/artist holds Transworld’s 2007 Legend Award and continues to pursue his passion, aiding in the development of several skate parks in and around the greater Southern California area.

The Disaster Exhibition/Zine Launch this Friday, April 9th at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery. Drinks and music from 7 - 10pm.

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave.
L.A., Ca 90036
323 655 4898

links:

http://www.heelbruise.com,

http://www.disasterzine.com,

http://www.flipskateboards.com/blog/

http://www.1800skypage.com

Disaster opening at HVW8 Art + Design Gallery from HVW8 on Vimeo.

ONE WEEK PHOTO EXHIBITION CELEBRATES MOS DEF’S TWO GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR “THE ECSTATIC”

Mos Def: Ecstatic Moments - Photographs by Cognito, Opens Jan. 30, 2010

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 25, 2010) - HVW8 Art & Design Gallery, Union LA & Frolab present a photo exhibition entitled MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS. Photographer, filmmaker, visionist Cognito showcases rare performance and behind-the-scenes images captured during the two year journey of making and supporting the June 2009 release of “The Ecstatic” (Downtown Records.)

This special one-week exhibition features candid photographs of Mos Def, including images from visits to the Cape of Great Hope, South Africa, performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a powerful series of US Summer Tour “end-of-the-night posse shots” featuring such artists as Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, and even a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Shuggie Otis. Cognito has also immortalized Mos Def in bright moments from “The Ecstatic” studio sessions with producers Madlib, OH NO, Preservation & Georgia Anne Muldrow. The photographs in this exhibit, soon to be published in book format, are offered by Mos Def to his family, friends and fans in order to share the many “ecstatic moments” he experiences while creating, recording, traveling and performing around the world.

Regarded as one of the most insightful artists of our time, musician, activist and actor Mos Def has captured the attention of critics and audiences alike with a celebrated body of work that has crossed all artistic genres-from music to the Broadway stage, film and television. In 1996, Mos Def became an underground favorite in the hip hop world, which lead to the recording of “Black Star”, his legendary collaboration with Talib Kweli, whose debut release would become one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of its generation. The following year Mos released his solo debut, “Black On Both Sides”, which was certified gold and credited by critics with bringing hip-hop back to its soapbox roots. His latest album, “The Ecstatic”, has been lauded by critics as one of the top albums of 2009 and has garnered two GRAMMY Award nominations in the categories Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for the single “Casa Bey.”

Over the past twenty years, Cognito has contributed immensely to the propagation of Hip Hop culture–from concert promoter to FatBeats record store operator to touring the world as a member of the underground group massinfluence. Most consistently, Cognito is known for documenting legendary hip hop artists such as De La Soul, Talib Kweli, MF DOOM and Kanye West on both still and video media. He has filmed MF DOOM for the Gorillaz live DVD, documentaries on both Talib Kweli and Goodie Mob, and a music video for rock diva Nikka Costa. Though their friendship began over 10 years ago, Cognito has acted for the past two years as the “official archivist” for Mos Def. Cognito is well known within the Hip Hop community for his ability to connect artists for significant collaborations. Examples include his roles as A&R for the Black Eyed Peas’ remix album “Renegotiations”, bringing Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Large Professor and DJ Jazzy Jeff to the project. Cognito also worked as consulting producer on the recently aired documentary on music sampling entitled Copyright Criminals, securing Pete Rock, De La Soul, Mr. Len & Bobbito Garcia for their priceless insight. Cognito is the co-founder of Frolab.com, a marketing, design and production collective based on the concept of “frolaboration,” formed with graphic designer and photographer Jewell Green.

Mos Def looked to the multiple dimensions of his life for inspriation for the album “The Ecstatic”. His album is named after the book by Victor LaValle, and a still image from the groundbreaking 1970s film Killer of Sheep by Charles Burnett is used as the cover artwork.

A private VIP opening reception will be held Friday January 29, 2010, 7 - 10pm hosted by Frolab with music by Mos Def’s DJ, Preservation. RSVP at ecstatic@frolab.com

The exhibition will be open to the public from January 30, 2010 through February 6, 2010 at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery, located at 661 N. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles CA, 90036; open Tuesday to Sunday, 1 - 6 pm or by appointment. (323) 655-HVW8(4898)

In addition to the photo exhibition, there will also be a limited edition t-shirt produced in conjunction with style destination Union LA. The t-shirt is available exclusively at their boutique, located at 110 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 549-6950. Union LA is one of the only US retailers for Japanese brands Neighborhood & Visvm, worn by Mos Def in many of the photos on display.

Established in 2005 in Los Angeles by Tyler Gibney with Addison Liu, the HVW8 ART + DESIGN GALLERY is a studio/gallery space for HVW8 and friends. The current mandate is supporting avant-garde graphic design such as Dutch designer/illustrator Parra (April 2007 + April 2009), American designer Brent Rollins (August 2007), Swedish design SSON (Sept 2007), Kevin Lyons (June 2008), Ray Noland (August 2008), the Enjoi Pop-Up Shop (March 2009), Michael, Kevin and Geoff (Michael Leon, Kevin Lyons and Geoff McFetridge Nov. 2009) and most recently the Megane Zine exhibition featuring Ed Templeton (Jan. 2010).

For more info:
www.frolab.com/ecstatic
www.hvw8.com
www.unionlosangeles.com

Megane Zine is a regular publication aimed at introducing artwork of young, up-coming Japanese artists to the United States. “Megane” is Japanese for “glasses”, Megane Zine focuses it lens on the inspired achievements of  artists.

Megane Exhibition and Release Party at the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery

661 N. Spaulding Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
Tel: 323.655.4898

January 9th, 2010
7-10PM
Drinks provided by Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Live music performance from Japanese artists.

Comic zine’s to the first 20 people on January 9th.
Limited Edition HVW8 x Megane tshirt designed by Ed Templeton will also be available.

Photos from the opening night HERE

Ed Templeton pieces and collaboration T-shirt HERE.

Artists that will be featured:

ED TEMPLETON (http://www.toymachine.com/ed/) Starting as a pro skater in the US, Templeton has since established his own skateboard company TOY MACHINE and became art director of the company in 1993. His lifework was introduced in the documentary short film “Deformer”, directed by Mike Mills. He is a west coast artist and photographer and was seen in the film “Beautiful Losers”.

YUSUKE HANAI (http://hanaiyusuke.com) Yusule participated in “The Happening NYC” show and “The Greenroom Festival Japan.” He is also a good surfer in Japan. He was influenced by The Road and The Sky, along with music and surf culture in 60’s to 70’s.

SHINPEI ONISHI (http://shinpeionishi.com/) Shinpei Onishi (b. 1978, Tottori, Japan) Created the Kanako series. He is a graphic designer, Illustrator and artist.

[Show as slideshow]

facebook RSVP

The SITE of NOW

Opening Oct. 3rd, 7 to 11 pm

“The SITE of Now” exhibition will be a “Best of” collection from the past two years of artists from the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery. Select pieces from the past ten years of HVW8 Art Installation and exclusive private collections will also be on view. The exhibit will feature artwork from such noteworthy artists as Parra, Brent Rollins, Kevin Lyons, HVW8 Art Installation (Gene Pendon, Tyler Gibney and Dan Buller) and Winston Tseng.

Curated by Tyler Gibney.

The SITE of NOW

artwork from :
Brent Rollins (Brooklyn)
HVW8 Art Installation (Montreal/Los Angeles)
Kevin Lyons (Philadelphia)
Willo Perron (Montreal/LA)
HVW8 vs Brnstrmers (2001)
Raif Adelberg (Vancouver)
Tyler Gibney (Los Angeles)
Parra (Amsterdam)
Winston Tseng (NYC)
skypager (Los Angeles)
+ more

Also shown will be Select works from collectors Sharifa and Eduardo Burillo; including a limited-edition print by Basquiat, pieces by Blek Le Rat, Nick Walker, eelus and Andy Warhol’s Brillo boxes by Charles Lutz.

HVW8 Pop up shop with
T-shirts
Prints

Music performance on opening night by:
Coultrain

DJ Thee Mike B

opens Oct. 3rd , 7 to 11pm

at Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
T 310 559 6300

show runs until Oct 18th.

For more than ten years, HVW8 Production House has blurred the lines between art, music and design. Established in 1998 in Montreal, Canada, HVW8 Production House’s initial artistic endeavor was the HVW8 Art Installation with artists Tyler Gibney, Gene Pendon and Dan Buller. After the group’s first “live painting” performance series at the Montreal Jazzfest, HVW8 started touring the world creating live pieces along side musicians such as the Herbalizer, Roots Manuva and Africa Bambaata, while holding exhibitions at such esteemed galleries as Parco in Tokyo, Museo De Arte De Puerto Rico in San Juan and MOCCA (Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art). HVW8 then created the acclaimed installation series “Political Minded” in 2004, which showcased in pop-up galleries in NYC, Montreal, L.A. and San Francisco.

In 2005, The HVW8 Art + Design gallery was established in Los Angeles as a studio + gallery space for HVW8 and friends. The current mandate is to support avant-garde graphic design, such as Dutch designer/illustrator Parra, Swedish design house SSON, skateboard company enjoi and American designer’s Brent Rollins, Kevin Lyons and Ray Noland. Most recently, HVW8 Records was founded in 2008. Look out for upcoming releases by Red “the Man Without the Machine,” Master Blazter feat. Computer Jay, J-1 and Dam-Funk and Hawthorne Headhunters with Black Spade/Stoney Rock.

Basquiat

Raif Adelberg

Parra

HVW8 Art Installation