Lost | Graffiti in the City of Angels

Shameless plug alert!

I just put out a new issue of my 'zine Lost. This time it is a fully formed book (224 pages/silkscreened artboard covers/the whole nine) that compiles material from 10 years of documenting L.A. graffiti and more. It also features previously unpublished material, offering a glimpse into writing culture on the left coast. (You might even catch a few cholo tags here and there...)

Included in the book are early L.A. style masters like Tempt STN, Besk UCA and the MAK crew. It also features contemporary innovators whose work has re-defined L.A. styles such as Ayer (Rest in Peace), Haeler OTR/7th Letter, and Atlas CBS. Designed by yours truly. Rad dude all around (and fellow Handselecta'er) Ian Lynam wrote the foreword.

Above are some spreads from the book. You can find out more (and nab one while you can) at the book's website lost.seekingheaven.com.

Art Space Tokyo

Just got a lengthy essay on Tokyo graffiti, writing's deconstruction of traditional syntactical structures, and handstyles published in this great new book.
Art Space Tokyo is the definitive guide to Contemporary Art in Tokyo. If you are an art lover and plan on visiting Tokyo, it is a must have. If you dig great book design, it is just as worth it. A beautiful collection of considered graphic design, a ton of different printing processes, great papers, quality binding, and beautifully screened/stamped cover cloth.

Lost Ten Years exhibit in Los Angeles

If you are in the L.A. area this weekend, specifically May 3, check out the exhibition and book release I put together to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of my 'zine Lost | Graffiti in the City of Angels.

Here's the 411:

Eyeone | SH + Meltdown present
Lost Ten Years | Book release + exhibition
Opening: Saturday, May 3, 2008 | 7 -10 pm

Meltdown
7522 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
meltcomics.com

Featuring work by Adikt, Asylm, Atlas, Cab, Codak, Eyeone, Friend, Geoff Oki, Iker, Jorger, Kara Marks, Kozem, Luna, Modem, Neo, Panic, Patrick Martinez, Precise, Rick Rodriguez, Sherm, Swank, Tommy Ruets, Unit, Vyal, Worth, and Yem.

Audio by Kool DJ Sheak One, House Guru, Adikt, and Gloze 54.

More on the exhibit here.

Cowboy hats of the railroad

Cowboy hats of the railroad, originally uploaded by thunderdome.

For the Freight heads in the audience.

Graffiti Research Lab film-MoMA 05/04/08

Graffiti Research Lab: The Complete First Season will be premiering in NYC on Sunday, May 4 at 8 PM at MoMa. Too bad for me since I'm on the other coast, but if you're in NY or anywhere near, this is definitely worth checking out. GRL make graffiti robots, LED throwies, laser tagging equipment, mobile letter-spray-painting vans, and a slew of other dope hi-tech public-space appropriating gizmos.

PopRally presents:
Graffiti Research Lab: The Complete First Season
Sunday, May 4, 2008
8:00–11:00 P.m.
MoMA • 11 West 53 Street • New York, NY 10019-5497
Titus 1 theater

Peep the trailer (via BoingBoing TV)

Link to MoMa page.
Link to GRL page (where they have posted a torrent of the unofficial DVD just in case.)

Its been a long time....

I shouldnt have left you, without a strong style step to.

Parallel Strokes

My new book, Parallel Strokes, is available now via the book website. It isn't officially being released for a week, but I figured Handselecta readers should have a chance before other folks.

About Parallel Strokes:

Parallel Strokes is a collection of interviews with twenty-plus contemporary typeface designers, graffiti writers, and lettering artists around the world. The book is introduced with a comprehensive essay charting the history of graffiti, its relation to type design, and how the two practices relate in the wider context of lettering.
Interviews within include conversations with pan-European type design collecitve Underware, Japanese type designer Akira Kobayashi, American graffiti writer and fine artist Barry McGee/Twist, German graffiti writers Daim and Seak, American lettering artist, graphic designer and design eductor Ed Fella, among others. Parallel Strokes is an enquiry into the history, context, and development of lettering today, both culturally approved and illicit.

Full list of interviewees:

Akira Kobayashi
Underware
Ed Fella
Delta
Jerry Inscoe/Joker
Jens Gehlhaar
Daim
Seak
Jonas Williamsson
Handselecta
Tauba Auerbach
Lady Pink
She One
Eklips AWR/MSK
Eskae
Renos
Mike Giant
Chaz Bojorquez
Barry McGee/Twist


The result of a six years of research in the combined arts of lettering, graffiti, and typeface design, Parallel Strokes is a collection of interviews some of the best letterform creators in the world today.

Chaz Bojorquez talks about the origins of barrio graffiti in Los Angeles and the evolution of the craft. Fellow Angeleno, vernacular graphic designer Ed Fella, speaks about his history in lettering and how he earned the title “The King of Zing” in Detroit design and illustration circles. Famed Japanese type designer Akira Kobayashi discusses Roman and Japanese letterforms while showcasing a lifetime of type design work. European graffiti writers Daim, Seak, and Delta share their thoughts on dimensional graffiti lettering while American graffiti writer Mike Giant talks about vernacular lettering, typeface design, and the evolution of graffiti handstyles.


Parallel Strokes is richly illustrated throughout, featuring copious previously unpublished work by the interviewed artists, as well as supplementary illustrations and photographs detailing contemporary and historical trends in graffiti and type design.

The first 100 orders come with a two color 17" x 20" Parallel Strokes poster printed using recycled paper and soy inks at Portland, Oregon's Pinball Publishing.

Parallel Strokes is 244 pages thick and available for $25 with free shipping worldwide.