Artist Series: kaNO from IHCS on Vimeo.

It’s been ages since we’ve been able to deliver an Artist Series, but thanks to kaNO for granting us some time– here we are. Our interview with kaNO was the first that happened on the move. We started out in Dumbo, Brooklyn– one of my favorite areas in NYC, and moved its way to kaNO’s home and studio. For more from kaNO, consider following his blogs: Kimanyen | Kano Kid and his Twitter.

For those unfamiliar with the Artist Series segment, the Mr. and myself like to crash a New York City artist’s home and studio to understand how they work, where they started and what the future holds. The point of these interviews is not for a quick view, but is instead intended to really highlight some of the work that these incredibly talented artists have produced and have therefore been designed to watch at a leisurely pace. Hope you enjoy.

It seems that there’s a Pee-Wee Herman bug going around. Several days ago kaNO [Left] tweeted about a custom he just “whipped” up during the holidays– and just recently, Helena Garcia [Above] tweeted her latest commissioned peice, which happens to also feature Pee-Wee. Both peices are awesome. Shockingly enough, Kidrobot’s head really does capture the essence of Paul Reubens. And Helena’s peice gives him such a charismatic personality without making me scared of being near him. Growing up I used to love Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, but in recent years, he just creeps me out. Anyone else feel that way?

For a while now, kaNO has been dropping sneak peeks of his upcoming Hi-Def figure and it had many of us curious about what exactly it would be. On Friday, during ToyQube’s Grand Re-Opening party, I was lucky enough to see the upcoming NYCC black colorway Hi-Def! pictured above. I’m thinking that I’ll definitely want to get my hands on this figure. As soon as I spotted it, I gravitated to the unique face adorned with bumpin’ headphones, so bad ass! I was also really digging the military jacket, which by the way, if you’ve met kaNO in person– you’ve probably noticed that he himself fancies a military jacket. =) I didn’t get to play much with the figure, but it stands about 10″ tall and it seems that it is fully articulated? If you’re interested in picking one of these up, be sure to make your way to ToyQube’s booth #870 and be ready to dish out a very moderate $85.

P.S. Who’s going to NYCC? What news do you want to hear from there? I’ll be around, mostly the toy booths, but, I will also be attending some panels– and have a video game interview or two lined up [Ghostbusters for the Mr.]. Hope to see you there.

kaNO!

This past Friday, one of my favorite artists, kaNO! dropped his latest vinyl figure: Bodega. I’d been posting about Bodega’s upcoming release for a while and on Friday with DJ and artist on hand for sketches, it finally hit the streets!

My Plastic Heart

210 Forsyth Street

It’s official, kaNO’s second coming has arrived and has been crunched down to a 6″ figure better known as: Bodega. For those who didn’t grow up in a primarily Latino “hood”, Bodega/s refer to your nickle and dime shops where you could score your 25 cent juices and 20 swedish fish for a buck. I can still score those swedish fishies, but that “quarter juice” doesn’t exist in my neighborhood anymore. I’m not too worried though, kaNO’s newest release will help settle some of those nostalgic moments as he’s a spitting image of those very quarter juices I had to sneak into my home because my mom wouldn’t let me drink them.

If you want to pick one up yourself, you should make your way to MPH on Friday November 7th from 6-9pm, for the release party (with DJ Kula). There will be 30 pieces on sale, limited to a total run of 300 and produced by Bic Plasics. Each figure will set you back $45 and come accessorized with a “shank” and brass knuckles.

It seems Gallery 1988 (seriously, when is it not them? They need to move to NY, they’re always having a show of some sort) is having a show titled: Monster Art Rally. You can tell from the name that monsters will be involved and they’ll come in vinyl and plushy form, woohoo! Pictured above is kaNO!’s entry for the event. A custom 10″ MadL in the very grim form of CHUCKY. Eek. Chucky used to scare the shit out of me when I was younger and like kaNO! mentions on his blog he chose to stay away from the typical Dracula and Frankenstein choices as those would obviously make an appearance.

I definitely concur with the decision and to be quite honest I expect kaNO to always stride away from the obvious choices. Whenever I’m in kaNOs prescence, the old school conversations always come up and Chucky is definitely one scary mofo from my generation and those older than myself. If you’re in SF, check it out. It opens Friday, October 10th.

I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t just apply to the New Yorkers in the house; but, who grew up drinking $.25 juices? The term “juice” is being used very loosely here.  Quarter juices were all the rage back in the day, and kaNO’s Bodega [referencing the shops that sold the juices] is really a homage to “da hood.”

According to kaNO, if all goes well, he hopes to release Bodega in all the juice colors. These colors will include: Orange Drink, Grape Drink, Blueberry Drink, Fruit Drink, and Lime Drink. I have to say that, I’m quite looking forward to this release. No word on cost yet.

[Source]

I believe kaNO!’s (((Hi-Def))) has been circulating the internet already. When I first peeped the image, I was a little bit confused because there was a Sharky in the shot and I wasn’t sure which piece was kaNO’s. Silly me. After some clarification, I have to say I’m excited. So far, whatever it is, already looks so different from his Money Grip. [image from kaNO!'s flickr] Hit the jump for Huck’s teaser.

So on Thursday I went to the kaNO release party held at Plan B. It just so happens that the bar is extremely close to my home, so there were no excuses. The event was to both celebrate the release of The Black Book and Citizen Kano: The Art of the Hussle. Both artists are AMAZING and to be quite honest kaNO holds a spot inside me for being pretty laid back and down to earth. I was pretty bummed out that neither artists were doing sketches, but like I mentioned in a previous post, kaNO has already hooked me up with a great sketch. I wanted to share one photo:

Here, he’s got his Money Grip displayed along with both; his limited edition Black Money Grip which I purchased for $25 and his Citizen Kano… which was also on sale for $25. I also purchased a shirt from Khary Randolph, which is also pretty dope but I will probably never wear it out, since its got boobies. I can’t risk being seen by my students. It is quite cool though, I shall share a picture later. Keep reading, I’ve got 2 other shows to share with you.

So, I am so very close to telling you where I live with this information- but not close enough. I just read that kaNO is going to be in my neighborhood on Thursday! Check out the flyer:

I must say, I almost feel like they’re catering to my needs. That is the same day as the Junko signing at KR, but I wasn’t going to make it to her signing because I’m still in class, but I can totally make this signing since I get home at 9. haha! Hope to some of you there.

Just because I could share. That is the drawing he hooked me up with when he was at MPH. I can’t wait to see what he sketches now, though I may not bug him. Hit to jump to see details on Simone’s upcoming visit to Yoyamart on Saturday.