The Elixir crew put together an amazing show at CASO these past couple weeks – more photos here!
先週のコラボ展覧会「アート・ブリッツ」はめっちゃ楽しかった！以上のリンク先に写真がいっぱいのっているわ！

This is the second time I’ve had the privilege of participating in a group show with the legendary Mukai Shoichi (向井正一). This guy’s “Babytector” steampunk resin sculptures are the BEE’s KNEES! The Osaka native’s enviable list of projects include many of the studios responsible for none other than the Ultraman and Godzilla franchises! We caught up at the closing for a chat.
向井正一さんとコラボ展示する機会はなんと２回目！本当に嬉しくて、少し緊張やっちゃった！「Babytector」RESINで造られているフィギュアーはほんまに上手い！！

It was fun to hear about his character creation exploits – including run-ins with the authorities when a local resident mistook his innocent plastic mixing artistic activities for mischief and reported him (turns out he was just being a good neighbor by keeping the smell out of his neighbor’s nostrils!)

Now here is a guy I would seriously love to collaborate with!
いつか、機会があれば、ドリームコラボをやってみたいなぁ！

Jerry an the boys from Salads in Space delivered the usual haunting performance that blanketed the party in atmosphere.
ジェリーたちはいつも最高なパフォーマンスをやってくれて、クロージングパーティのムードはえぇ感じやったわ。

Almost artificially aged to a Showa Retro sepia tone, Yuichi Fukuda’s pieces are a personal favorite. This towering piece was particularly powerful – note the tiled ‘worn out Kinpaku’ effect! How does he DO that?!
ゆいちさんの絵をみて感動した！色使いが綺麗で、一体どういう風に塗っていくやろうって本当に知りたい！

By the way, remember reading about the DNA Art guys? They were there too! Pieces based on your DNA – original as you!
めっちゃネットに話題になっているインテリアーアートDNA JAPANも参加してくれた！

The show was well anchored with 2 great metal sculptures by Guido Saldana in the center room, and a brilliant backdrop of a triptych by Krzysztof Debick!

土曜日の夜、いつも国際と国内アーティストの為頑張っている関西風なアートスペース・カフェELIXIRはまた楽しいイベントを行った！自分があまり詳しくないジャンル「ノイズ」のイベントを初めて経験した。絵をみて、酒飲みながら過ごしやすい環境やぁ。
A surprise Saturday Night event at Elixir in Higobashi. Kansai’s original champions of artists of both the brush and the note, both local and international, are at it again! This time with some Noise(tm) to accompany the paintings and beer (or wine if that’s how you roll).

三家総一郎というサウンドアーティストをみろ！！この人のひいている…なんやろう…ゲームボイ風な…ギターPEDAL…FXボードって… あまり分からないけどめっちゃえぇ音を出している！
Check out Mikka Souichirou in action! This guy is totally ripping it up on the… um… gameboy-like contraptions spread out all over the floor bound by electrical tape and… gum, I think.

スピーカの上にビーズをのして、カメラで壁に写していた。ビーズの音はベースのECHOになってエェ感じやった。
The truant beads on the speaker are being films and projected on the wall – providing an additional echo to the bass line. Keen!

サックスやいろんな手作り楽器で頑張っていたSALADS in SPACEとっても最高なパーフォーマンス！関西におる人、見るべきやわ！特にMORPHINE系なサウンドが好みなら。気になる人、SiSのブログやマイスペもあるよ。
A sax, a whosits, and a whatsits… plus a load of electronics effects provided by a rogue macbook and some bongos for extra beats. I won’t try to describe the awesomeness of Salads in Space any further, if you’re in Kansai, check them out for yourself! Although I do have a special note for the Morphine fans in the audience – the saxophone is positively haunting! If you mourn the passing of the Sandman, do yourself a favor and give these guys a peep!
SiS is Rick Tuazon, Charles-Eric Billard and Jerry Gordon – they have a mySpace page as well!
残念ながらVEILというバンドを見る時間がなくてさきに帰っちゃった。楽しみにしていたのにな。VEILさん達、ごめんなさい。また今度ゆっくりね！
Veil was on tap as well, but sadly I had to split before the end. Hopefully another report on that soon!

There’s skateboarders flying in front of the stage, but this shakey photo was taken with an iphone in the dark under the influence of certain substances so you’ll have to take my word for it.
あまりこの写真には見えないけどスケボでステージの前でめっちゃワザをしている。

The air was sickly sweet with Belton fumes as this incredible collaboration piece by Casper, Depas, Dise, Espy, and Cook unfolded before our eyes.
あぁ、BELTONの甘い匂い！コラボのピースは目の前に現れてきた – by Casper, Depas, Dise, Espy, and Cook

Lum! Where have you been?
ラムちゃん！一体どこにいっていたの？！

Osaka Kustom Kulture master practitioner Monk! Live pin-striping for the free-hand-loving inclined.
カスタムカルチャーマスターMONKさん！ライブでピンストをやっていたぁ！

Monk had his brushes on hand and whipped up this Hannya piece on the back of my iPhone. Sick!
ブラッシュを現場に持って来たMONKさんにわしのiPhoneに描いてくれた般若！

His “Metallicaesque” signature is the ‘charm point’ of this piece!
メタリカ風なサインはポイントや！

That’s not all though, No Bondage was on hand doing live silk screening on whatever clothing item you wanted… and all I had was a kimono that I had to keep nice so I forked over for a shirt.
それだけちゃう。NO BONDAGEもライブシルクスクリーンをやっていた。着物だったんで別のシャツを買って写してくれた。

Love that character pose on the flyer!
フライヤーにのっているキャラクターのポーズは気に入り！

It’s been nearly a year since Elixir opened its doors up with a bang and introduced Osaka to a wide range of area artists with a hit group show last August… and to mark the occasion, the crew has assembled another incredible group show featuring even more amazing talent. This next will be all work executed totally in Graphite (… starting tomorrow! See dates below)

I’ll have a piece on display as well, but there’s a sick lineup of some truly amazing carbon-based virtuosos!!
Come take in some jaw-dropping artwork and hoist a few with us!

OPENING PARTY:August 1st @ 21:00
Exhibition Dates: 8月1日〜8月30日
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:
渡部 麻由美
fukumoto wakame
Yoshie
Jason Ferguson
大野えつじ
市川裕隆
クリストフKrzysztof Debicki
船長
よしいちか
Hori-Benny
ハピネス☆ヒジオカ
Seal Pool

So long July – it’s been a good month. See you in 24!

The man himself!

TOKYO LOVE DOLLの関西リリースパーティは最高だった！ELIXIRのFBページに写真いっぱいのっています！僕はやっと自分の１冊をゲットしたぁ！

The Tokyo Love Doll release party was amazing! Check out Elixir’s FB page for event photos.

盗撮禁止！！！けどやっちゃった！ごめん…
Sorry Maylisse, I had to sneak one photo for the ol’ blogeroo!

ぉおおお！珍しい人物が現れました！昔の世話になった先輩ザ・みやわきでございます！また会えて嬉しい！！
My old friend and senpai Miyawaki back in Osaka! Too bad I only got a snap of this rare human from the side! Great to see you again mate!