Giant Robot Biennale 5 Now on View!

On Friday, March 1, 2024, JANM hosted the opening celebration of Giant Robot Biennale 5 with exhibition curator and Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura; artists Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean, Taylor Lee, Mike Shinoda, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto; and music with Dan the Automator.

The new exhibition welcomed nearly 1,300 visitors in a few hours, with a line that wound through JANM’s core exhibition, Common Ground: The Heart of Community. Visitors enjoyed engaging with the art, listening to music, and chowing down on food from Kogi BBQ and MANEATINGPLANT food trucks.

Since 2007, the Museum has partnered with Nakamura to produce the Giant Robot Biennale, a recurring art exhibition that highlights diverse work and celebrates the ethos of Giant Robot—a staple of Asian American alternative pop culture and an influential brand encompassing pop art, skateboard, comic book, graphic arts, and vinyl toy culture.

“These exhibitions champion the spirit of collaboration and welcome you into a unique space with a DIY attitude. They create a vibrant culture for future generations to see themselves and their interests on the national stage. And they continue to fuse the past with the present to create a trailblazing community for you,” said Ann Burroughs, JANM President and CEO.

Nakamura and the artists also contributed to the Giant Robot Biennale 5 audio tour, now available on JANM’s digital guide. Hear directly from the artists anytime, anywhere, and come down to JANM to check out the exhibition. It’s on view through September 1, 2024, and it’s an experience you don’t want to miss!

Photos by Kazz Morohashi.

Mike Shinoda with Glorious Excess motorcycle

New Silent Auction item just added! Mike Shinoda hand-painted & signed motorcycle

We have another amazing Silent Auction item for the 2012 Gala Dinner!

A Honda Fury Motorcycle, Hand-Painted & Signed by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda!

Mike Shinoda with Glorious Excess motorcycleTake home this amazing customized Honda Fury motorcycle, hand-painted and signed by Linkin Park vocalist, Mike Shinoda!

This customized motorcycle was featured in Glorious Excess (Dies): Paintings by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda (2009) at the Museum and has never been driven on the road.

Aside from his musical talents as the rapper, songwriter, keyboardist, vocalist, and rhythm guitarist, Mike Shinoda is incredibly gifted as an artist and painter. He has had a hand in most artistic facets of Linkin Park’s imagery, including album artwork, band merchandise, and on-stage production art.

The Honda Fury is the most distinctive custom Honda has ever created. Long, lean and mean, stretching nearly six feet from axle to axle, this machine literally screams with chopper style. And once you’ve saddled up and fired that big 1312cc V-twin, you’ll know you’ve experienced a motorcycle like none other.

Glorious Excess motorcycle at JANM

Terms: Includes: one (1) custom designed Honda Fury motorcycle, hand-painted and signed by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda. Bidders must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license and able to present evidence of adequate insurance. Winner subject to verification of compliance with rules and may be required to execute liability release and affidavit of eligibility/publicity release. Other paperwork pending which may delay final delivery of motorcycle to winning bidder. The winning bidder is responsible for the pick-up and/or delivery of the Motorcycle from the Japanese American National Museum located at 100 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The winning bidder is responsible for any income, sales taxes or other taxes, license, title, registration and other expenses associated with receiving the Motorcycle. Winning bidder agrees to release the Japanese American National Museum, and American Honda Motor Co. Inc., from any liability, including without limitation, property loss, injury, or death resulting from participation in this auction.

Donated by: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Check out the other Silent Auction packages >>

For more information about the 2012 Gala Dinner & Silent Auction and After-Party at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live on Saturday, May 5: janm.org/dinner2012

2012 Gala Dinner After Party

Mike Shinoda’s Labbit Auction is over!

After many check-ins last night where the bid was stuck at $510, I finally decided to call it quits and go to bed.

I woke up in the middle of the night and was plagued by work thoughts, but didn’t sneak in to check the computer and risk waking the household with whoops of excitement. It was like waiting for Christmas morning and it was worth it to see that the final bid was $721.00!

Again, thanks to Mike Shinoda, proceeds benefit JANM & Music for Relief/Japan Relief.

 

Next auction starts August 1, with Kip Fulbeck’s ingenious ikebana Labbit entitled, “More than the Sum of Our Parts.”

I have been enjoying the opportunity to create flower arrangements every few days. It’s a nice way to start your day…contemplating art and beauty.

Check the janm.org page for a schedule of the upcoming auctions >>

Check janmstore.com to view all of the Labbits >> 

Labbit Custom Show UPDATE

Here’s an update on our Year of the Labbit Custom Show opening on Thursday!

Whew, working to open two shows a week apart is insane! It always gets done, often without all the behind-the-scenes drama showing up in the final product (see my last post re: drama.)  However some important items you should know: 1.) the Labbit Show opens at 6:30 PM on Thursday, July 14. We won’t unveil until then. 2.) Admission to the exhibition is FREE that evening. 3.) Some of the Labbits will be auctioned off on eBay through out the run of the show. These include Labbits by Mike Shinoda, Kip Fulbeck, higashi glaser and Stan Sakai. The auctions will be posted on the Year of the Labbit page on our web site. Each auction will last a week so you will have plenty of time to bid.

Online sales for the other pieces will be up (gulp!) hopefully by the opening night. I can’t tell you exactly when, but keep checking our site. We won’t start selling until the show opens however.