I remember stumbling across Giant Robot at a Books-A-Million that was about 45-minutes away from my house. Every now and then I would make the sojourn in hopes of finding a new issue. Eventually I did extensive interviews with both David Choe and James Jean (before they became rich and famous) and both were kind enough to provide covers for my own zine. Eric would order 5-10 copies for the Giant Robot Store on Sawtelle; and maybe 3-4 months later I would hear back from him asking if I could send him more of the Choe issue (I'd have to go down to Office Depot and print up some more). Good times!
Great documentary! Really moving. Reminded me how outstanding the zines and magazines were. I loved this team’s ability to shine a light on emerging and now boss artists of all kinds. Their gallery shows were a scene! Back in the day, GR was my go to for baby shower gifts. (I thought all parents needed one of Kim’s ugly dolls for their emerging diaper-generator.)
The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles screened this and held a panel discussion with Eric Nakamura, Martin Wong, Renee Tajima-Peña, Dylan Robertson, and James Jean, moderated by Clement Hanami. You can watch it here: ruclips.net/video/WMfAvj18k5Y/видео.html
The magazine spoke to me and my interests. Every issue expanded my view of cool art, music and Asian American pop culture. The only magazine I knew I just HAD to get a subscription for, so i wouldn't miss an issue on the stands! Mahalo Eric & Martin
I would get all the mags . A . Transpacific, yolk, but Giant Robot was it. I eve planned a pilgrimage to the Sawtelle store and the gallery they opened up. They were the ones that got me interest to art. It was amazing. Now you can see how much they influenced indie art.
Wow, this documentary was so well done. Giant Robot was and continues to be a national treasure. Its legacy makes me even prouder to be Asian American. Warm shout-out to my dear friend Cate Park for her outstanding contributions to our community!
I LOVE what Geoff McFetridge said the worst time to make a magazine but it was actually the last time to make a magazine, so what are you going to to do” I found that deep specially as a gen X
Absolutely phenomenal loving history of this magazine and era. I spent alot of time in Little Tokyo and Chinatown in the 80’s and between the shops and music scene there was a raging art and creative burst of energy that should be documented in this same spirit. Love this content 🎉
No disrespect, but as a huge Johnny Sokko’s Giant Robot fan, when I saw the Giant Robot booth at San Diego Comic Con, I was very disappointed that it wasn’t all about Giant Robot.
I've heard of Giant Robot but never really understood what was the big deal about it. I've always been into Asian art, was always an anime whore when I was a kid. Anything from Ninja Scroll to Studio Ghibli films. Even today I still find myself watching shows like Berserk, Attack on Titan, and the random movie that pops on Netflix. Because of that sort of obsession with Asian aesthetics from a more hardcore anime basis I have collected a fair amount of Asian style art pieces, some James Jean, some Asian movie prints, even where a Grand Seiko Snowflake because of how beautiful the dial is. Its awesome to see that a lot of folks got their start with Giant Robot.
I remember stumbling across Giant Robot at a Books-A-Million that was about 45-minutes away from my house. Every now and then I would make the sojourn in hopes of finding a new issue. Eventually I did extensive interviews with both David Choe and James Jean (before they became rich and famous) and both were kind enough to provide covers for my own zine. Eric would order 5-10 copies for the Giant Robot Store on Sawtelle; and maybe 3-4 months later I would hear back from him asking if I could send him more of the Choe issue (I'd have to go down to Office Depot and print up some more). Good times!
First Love & Rockets and now Giant Robot! This is amazing content. Giant Robot is a gem, and they changed my conception of pop art
The Los Bros doc was phenomenal. I wish there were more.
legendary
Great documentary! Really moving. Reminded me how outstanding the zines and magazines were. I loved this team’s ability to shine a light on emerging and now boss artists of all kinds. Their gallery shows were a scene! Back in the day, GR was my go to for baby shower gifts. (I thought all parents needed one of Kim’s ugly dolls for their emerging diaper-generator.)
So grateful for the existence of Giant Robot!!!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful doc. You guys are exactly what I hoped to find. Thank you for this. I was a huge fan of GIANT ROBOT.
Proud to say I stumbled across GR in the mid-late 90s, still have the issues on the shelf and pick at them sometimes. Thank you!
The Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles screened this and held a panel discussion with Eric Nakamura, Martin Wong, Renee Tajima-Peña, Dylan Robertson, and James Jean, moderated by Clement Hanami. You can watch it here: ruclips.net/video/WMfAvj18k5Y/видео.html
THANK YOU!!!
The magazine spoke to me and my interests. Every issue expanded my view of cool art, music and Asian American pop culture.
The only magazine I knew I just HAD to get a subscription for, so i wouldn't miss an issue on the stands! Mahalo Eric & Martin
I would get all the mags . A . Transpacific, yolk, but Giant Robot was it. I eve planned a pilgrimage to the Sawtelle store and the gallery they opened up. They were the ones that got me interest to art. It was amazing. Now you can see how much they influenced indie art.
Love this magazine!!
Loved GR! Great documentary. Thank you for the memories ❤
This is great stuff!
Wow, this documentary was so well done. Giant Robot was and continues to be a national treasure. Its legacy makes me even prouder to be Asian American. Warm shout-out to my dear friend Cate Park for her outstanding contributions to our community!
I interned for these guys way back in the day. Super cool! Thanks for the opportunity Eric & Martin
I was the interpretive tour guide at Manzanar 1997 - 2000. I’m an Owens Valley Paiute not a hyphenated American. 😁
Amazing documentary, thank you for this
I LOVE what Geoff McFetridge said the worst time to make a magazine but it was actually the last time to make a magazine, so what are you going to to do” I found that deep specially as a gen X
Absolutely phenomenal loving history of this magazine and era. I spent alot of time in Little Tokyo and Chinatown in the 80’s and between the shops and music scene there was a raging art and creative burst of energy that should be documented in this same spirit. Love this content 🎉
Loved this.
Definitely have a new appreciation for Giant Robot and it’s founders!
This was incredible. Really defined being cool in the 90's. The GR forum was incredible.
I love Eric's long hair!
Love kelly lou! So glad she’s a part of Giant Robot
Thanks your for showing our incredible culture
This is so cool. I also went to Murakami's exhibit earlier this year!
❤
No disrespect, but as a huge Johnny Sokko’s Giant Robot fan, when I saw the Giant Robot booth at San Diego Comic Con, I was very disappointed that it wasn’t all about Giant Robot.
🙏
I've heard of Giant Robot but never really understood what was the big deal about it. I've always been into Asian art, was always an anime whore when I was a kid. Anything from Ninja Scroll to Studio Ghibli films. Even today I still find myself watching shows like Berserk, Attack on Titan, and the random movie that pops on Netflix. Because of that sort of obsession with Asian aesthetics from a more hardcore anime basis I have collected a fair amount of Asian style art pieces, some James Jean, some Asian movie prints, even where a Grand Seiko Snowflake because of how beautiful the dial is. Its awesome to see that a lot of folks got their start with Giant Robot.
We have to watch this video for our Art class, and it is very boring and not interesting whatsoever