Giant Robot (magazine)
 Issue #41 |
|
| Editor | Eric Nakamura, Martin Wong |
|---|---|
| Categories | Popular culture |
| First issue | 1994 |
| Company | Giant Robot |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| Website | www.giantrobot.com |
Giant Robot is a bi-monthly magazine of Asian and Asian American popular culture founded in 1994. It was initially created as a small, punk-minded magazine that featured Asian pop culture and Asian American alternative culture, including such varied subject matter as history, art, music, film, books, toys, technology, food and skateboarding. The publication grew from its original format—a small, photocopied zine, folded and stapled by hand—to its current full-color format. Giant Robot was one of the earliest American publications to feature prominent Asian film stars such as Chow Yun-fat and Jet Li, as well as Asian musicians from indie and punk rock bands. Today, the coverage has expanded into art, design, Asian American issues, travel, and much more.
In the late 1990s, Giant Robot expanded their endeavor to an online retail store selling artist goods, designer vinyl dolls, mini-figures, plush dolls, stationeries, art, t-shirts, and many creative goods. The success of the commercial website enabled the establishment of a brick-and-mortar retail store in 2001; first in Los Angeles and later in San Francisco. A third store, called GR2, was opened in Los Angeles, and features work by young contemporary artists. Giant Robot further expanded to a fourth store in New York City, and a fifth in Silverlake, as well as a restaurant called gr/eats, also in Los Angeles. The GR2, San Francisco, and New York locations feature monthly art exhibitions from up and coming and established artists.
In 2007, Giant Robot published its 50th issue and celebrated with an art exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum titled, "Giant Robot Biennale: 50 Issues." A follow-up exhibition entitled "Giant Robot Biennale 2: 15 Years" was held at the museum in 2009.[1]
Nakamura and Wong are featured on the DVD release of the collection of animated short films The Animatrix, discussing anime in the Making of the Animatrix documentary.
As of 2009, the Silverlake store has closed. The New York store closed in 2010[2] and the San Francisco store closed in 2011.[3] Currently, Giant Robot has an association with Lost Weekend Video in the Mission District of San Francisco where they opened a pop-up shop.
In 2010, Giant Robot presented Zen Garage at the Japanese American National Museum featuring the Scion xb Famicom Car designed by Eric Nakamura, and will also present Giant Robot Biennale 3 in 2012.
In 2011, Giant Robot launched their new website and updates content including articles, video, and products daily.
[edit] Interviews
- Youtube video Vans interviews Eric Nakamura
- Youtube video The Hundreds interviews Eric Nakamura
- Youtube video Ken Tanaka interviews Eric Nakamura
- TCI Podcast review of Giant Robot
- Interview of Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong Walker museum Walker.org]
- Interview of Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong UCLA International Institute
- Eric Nakamura interview Nylon magazine
- Eric Nakamura interview G4TV.com
- Eric Nakamura interview Rafu Shimpo
- Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong interview NPR
- Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong interview OC Register
- Eric Nakamura interview Palisadian-Post
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.janm.org/exhibits/gr15/
- ^ http://www.yelp.com/biz/giant-robot-new-york
- ^ http://www.giantrobot.com/grsf/
[edit] External links
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