Miao: Opening Night

Nov. 14th - Dec. 7th, 2008 Opening Reception: Friday, November 14th, 6-10pm

Miao opened last Friday night, and so far we’ve had tons of great feedback about the killer customs that were created for this show. The crowd was steady all night long, and DJ Skullcrusher was providing the beats. If you missed the opening, don’t worry, there’s a bunch of great pieces left, which are available for purchase on the Zakkamono website, or stop by Subtext to see the Miaos up close and personal until December 7th.

View an Online Preview of Miao

More photos…

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Joao Paulo Alvares Ruas

 Joao Paulo Alvares Ruas from Sao Paulo, Brazil may be a newcomer to the scene, but he is without a doubt an artist to watch. His recent debut was at Thinkspace for The Drawing Room show curated by Audrey Kawasaki. There were many beautiful pieces in the show, but Joao’s Haunted #16 (pictured above) took the cake. There’s no question that we’ll be seeing a lot more of Ruas’ work in the future.

More work…

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Subtext Loves: Typography

A co-worker of mine turned me on to ilovetypography the other day, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. This blog has some amazing samples of type design, trends in typography, free fonts, wallpapers, type designers, vintage type treatments, and everything else you can image related to type. The beautiful pattern above is from artist/designer Tsang Kin-Wah who was recently featured on the site. It’s a great reference for designers, and an even better time waster if your into type porn.

-Dylan

The Wu Comes to SD

In the 90’s the Wu-tang Clan epitomized real, raw New York Hip Hop. With clever production from the RZA and a philosophical flow from each member, you could taste the gritty streets in each of their verses and hear their Timberlands stomping with each beat. What made them great was that each clan member possessed  their own deadly strength and could easily stand alone, but as a whole they were unstoppable. Not only did they touch on topics such as street life, but Wu members were and have always been deep intellectuals who studied up on Chinese philosophy, classical music, jazz music, mathematics  and played chess. Over the years they have had their disputes between members, some solo albums, some flops and the death of O.D.B was unfortunate, but the Clan has reformed and will be hitting the stage of San Diego’s House of Blues on Dec 4th. Just to hear “C.R.E.A.M.” live would be worth the price of admission.

Gabriel-

Miao Opens This Friday!

Nov. 14th - Dec. 7th, 2008 Opening Reception: Friday, November 14th, 6-10pm

Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Well you’re in luck, because the Miaos have arrived! Join us at Subtext this Friday night for an incredible custom vinyl show that will feature nearly 50 artists from around the world. All of the pieces from the show will be available for purchase on the Zakkamono website, and will be available throughout the show. 

View an Online Preview of Miao

About the Show: Subtext has teamed up with Zakkamono, to bring you an incredible custom vinyl show just in time for the holidays. The format will be the new Miao (Lucky Cat & Mousubi), and we  have curated nearly 50 artists from around the globe to do custom versions of this great toy! Miao is the first collectible designer vinyl figure designed by Zakka. It is an updated design of the Japanese Maneki Neko/Lucky Cat (an iconic Japanese figure that brings good luck and good fortune). Miao measures 7-inches tall and comes with his BFF Mousubi, a 3-inch character designed with the elements of a musubi/onigiri (Japanese rice ball wrapped with Nori/seaweed) and a mouse.

Participating Artists: Simone Legno/tokidoki, Touma, Aaron Martin (Angry Woebots), Brent Nolasco, Brian Flynn (Super7), Julie West, Mar Hernández, Matias Vigliano, Joel Nakamura, Nick Deakin, Kelly Vivanco, Rudy Fig, Matt Stallings, Slobot, Long Lé, Sandra Equihua, N.C. Winters, Bucky Lastard, Justin White, Reactor-88, Newkon,CKaweekS, Phoneticontrol, Mark Nagata, Amy Davis, Jasper Wong, Urbanmedium, Paul Wee, Serge Seidlitz,Vogue, Katsuhito Ishii, Shunichiro Miki, Satoshi Tomioka, Alex Wald, Rae Huo, Estria, DOLCEQ, Malakias, Hansu, Zakka, Steve Forde, Shawnimals, and Hawk Ostby.

Drawing Room Show

Artist Eveline Tarunadjaja stopped by the store for a visit today and told us all about her upcoming art show at Thinkspace Gallery in L.A. We were glad to have Eveline’s work for our Indelible Show and she along with 24 other talented artists will be showing some amazing pieces this Friday night for Thinkspace’s Drawing Room Show. The show is curated by  artist Audrey Kawasaki and will include her work as well as some of Audrey’s talented friends including Amy Sol, Joao Paulo Ruas, Stella Im Hultberg, and Brian Viveros. The show runs through November 29th so you better make it down before then.

Austin McCormick

There is an interesting grey area that lies between the worlds of fine art and illustration. While illustration must communicate an idea and tell a story, fine art must ask questions and challenge the history that precedes it. The art of Austin McCormick successfully straddles both worlds. His work is sensitive, fresh and exhibits a massive amount of skill. Austin seamlessly works in painting, printmaking, drawing and sculpture while maintaining a unique voice no matter the medium. Keep an eye on this young artist; it will be a joy to see him evolve while he discovers his place in the art world. We’re super excited to see Austin’s work at Subtext next summer, definitely not to be missed! For more information visit www.austinmccormick.com

Brody

Cause for Drinks

Thursday, November 6th, 5-8pm  The Whistle Stop Bar, South Park

Let’s face it, with the economy in the crapper we don’t need another reason to justify a stiff drink. But we’re gonna give you one… charity. Subtext has teamed up with like-minded organizations (All Day Buffet, Holiday Matinee, Sezio, Unscene, and Sanctuary143) to help put on San Diego’s first Cause for Drinks. The concept is simple. Come to the Whistle Stop Bar for happy hour on Thursday, November 6th, and drink. $2 from every drink will go to Plant-It 2020. A charity dedicated to properly planting, maintaining and protecting as many indigenous trees as possible worldwide. To find out more about Plant-It 2020, visit their website. So come on out, and throw one (or two) back for the trees. Hope to see you all there!

Handmade

$39.95 To purchase, visit Subtext or call us at 619 876-0664

The time has come to take a step back and consider who’s the master and who’s the servant. Graphics editor Andrea Lugli has put together an impressive array of work by artist and designers who actually know what it’s like to pick up a can of spray paint, pencil, scissors, magic marker, stick of charcoal and create with their hands. Handmade focuses on the merger of the left-brain with the right in a digital era flooded with filters. Featured artist include: Delta, Yuko Shimizu, Jasper Goodall, and Tokidoki among many others. Stop by and pick up a copy for yourself, it’s a great design/illustration reference to have in your collection.

Subtext Loves: Electric Six

Detroit punk-disco pranksters Electric Six are crashing the dance floor once again at the Casbah on November 8th. If you haven’t heard of Electric Six, go see this show! Just do it. You will thank me later. They’re one of most high-energy bands I’ve seen, and always put on a great performance. A good friend of mine brought a date to the last Electric Six concert at the Casbah, and two songs into their set she fainted! True story. Electric Six has produced many stellar hits like, Devil Nights, Dance Epidemic, Gay Bar, Randy’s Hot Tonight, and Improper Dancing. I haven’t heard the new album yet, but I’m sure Flashy is jam-packed with some rockin’ gems like all the albums before it!

-Dylan