August 19th, 2010 by asia

My original baby birthed in 1994 due to extraneous circumstances, no love for Bboy Bgirl culture. Can you imagine a time when Bboys and Bgirls were ridiculed by fellow Hip-Hop purveyors? Not allowed into the clubs? Mocked for classic attire including Kangols, fat laces, name plate buckles and pro-keds? Perish the thought!

Now 16 years later, Bboy Bgirl dance lifestyle is as popular and in demand as ever, gracing TV, and film in a no moves barred way!

But Hip-Hop as a culture and a lifestyle that includes street creed, ethics of paying dues and earning your respect the hard way, and respecting and acknowledging those who paved the way.. these beliefs are in short supply these days. An often misunderstood and over imitated culture, the time is now to actualize our potential, come together stronger than ever as a commUnity and work together for sustainability and global change. We truly live a charmed life, w/o judgement of others race, class or creed, soley based on character and skillz! Which brings us to the question “What u workin with?” and “What will you leave behind/be remember for?”

For more info: www.bboysummit.com

August 12th, 2010 by asia

It’s just another manic monday…but not when your painting with Shiro!
I really didnt have time to paint. wack i know, but the Summit is coming up,
and the nonprofit launching, energy drink.. its all comin together, cuz im workin! But I bumped into Shiro (Japan), and could miss the opportunity to paint together and promote my new natural energy drink Jump Street! Here are the exploits:

[caption id="attachment_878" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Shiro character"][/caption][caption id="attachment_880" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bash character"][/caption]

July 6th, 2010 by asia

Lets face it, everyone bites off graffiti. Look up at the big billboards looming in the sky..Blackberry ads with the graffitiesque clouds, bubbles, arrows, color palettes.. Munchers! all of em! Even the LA times ad, with the paint splatters, drips, looking like a graf collage of some type. Well you cant peg a real artist, we like to move around in our mediums. So Im dedicating this blog to a real innovative cat, by the name of Denz One. A Chi-town native, that feel in love with Graffiti, had some kids and is now populating the planet with pieces, tags, bombs on freights, art collabo’s with a variety of savvy companies that want street art branding. But what flipped me out was Denz’s toaster purses. We ladies love purses. Im on the run also, so its not hard to catch up with a fellow artist doing time. Lets chat with Denz and see what’s cooking:

1)Why i paint toasters, and also make purses out of them?
Well i would like to stand out from the rest of artist in the world…
And i dont like to paint anything that has been painted before and after B.C
It’s just not Original for me because I’m “Denz Unorthodox”

2).My art inspiration… is the world seeing Nature each and every day seeing what God has to offer me..
to come up with something different, because I’m not limited by him.

3).Something that many people know about me… Lmao! very under Rated as hell lmfao! and been painting since 1985
And have been painting for many of years of my career, and have been making plenty moves with others and many business…
I dont even bother to tell people these days personally beside family! because it only brings bitterness to your peers and others who have been hating on you from the giddyup!
But on another note, I’m a cool down person pretty much mind my business and stay out of others…
And always willing to teach the younger youth that are coming behind me.
And just stay focus on my own projects to bring and put other people on for the future”.

4). My impression of the streets and art scenes?
Well things have really changed on the streets with style, attitude,Egos,Beef, etc…
Gallery are very clickish like the damn Mob! if you dont know certain people or paint with them you more then likely…
want get an opportunity to get in a good gallery showing unless a heavy hitter humble him self and give you a chance with you..
Other then that if you a person of Color like me, pffff! fucking don’t hold your damn breath unless it’s your friends art gallery-
space or you own yours lol! And by the way even if your fresh writers can black list you and the gallery are black listing graffiti..
writers as well because of what some former artist may say about you.. and if you a person of “Color” your double blacklisted!
Like it really make a difference about blacklisting you the second time lmao! it’s been like that from the start anyway.

Thats why I’m not shocked or surprised about anything anymore concerning the art gallerys or the graff scene and they would even blacklist you on a permission wall!

This is the reason i paint fr8s i will never give a person the benefit or satisfaction, to tell me where i can paint or what to paint.
Sorry i got the upper hand on that one hahaha!

The Movie Exit thru the Gift shop?
Never heard of that one but any women can enter thru my Giftshop and wil leave out happy!
lmao! Asia, you know that I’m Mannish as hell i had to put that in there…
you asked for it lmao!

Anyway one ladies that would like to check out more info on DenzOne custom purse please….
Feel free to visit www.flyingds.com and make sure to check out the Video links,
peace “Denzo”

Well there you have it! A true brotha putting in work. Lets push past what we know into the vast beyond..get inspired!

June 18th, 2010 by asia

Thanks to the Lakers winning the championship, our LA pride cant hide.
If you hate LA then you really dont get it, if you never been here well then you can still come kick it. Lets take a break from the entanglements of technology and reflect on the City of Angels, and the karmatic implications that the name holds..
I love LA. There is so much good energy here. From the sun to the sand, imported palm trees next to native succulents, we come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, dont care about whose “legal”, and call ourselves Caliheads! We are purveyors of good ass burritos and sushi, ghetto and bougie, real and fake louie, swap meet flyness mixed with some beat swap meet records (yes some of us do still buy vinyl, call us cra-cra). Some Snoop, Dam funk to Flying Lotus, Mr. French, big azz raves to daytime do-over, house music lovers to mariachi mexican circus.. We crown this town regal in purple and gold. Talk shit about the Lakers and your ass gone get drove..outside city limits but u gots to drive real far. Cuz LA’s so big, all you can see is the stars.
So lets talk about what we really love about LA:
- The weather is pure bliss, always
- The weed, is pure bliss, always
- Always something to do somewhere
- Cool art scene
- Hot girls and some fine dudes
- Dope whips
- Crenshaw
- Venice Beach
- Echo Park
- Chinatown (and San Gabriel Valley)
- Griffith Park
- Endless museums and cultural happenings
- Always some cool lil spot goin on
- Cool Bboy/Bgirl scene
- Creative theatre, music, entertainment scene
-Elote, tamales, tamarindo, dulce de leche, and all things Mexican
-Official Thai food blurry but good at 3am
-Official Ethiopian food at 3am
-Those pool parties with dope deejays
-Going everywhere else and then coming back home to LA. Heres to you!

June 16th, 2010 by asia

Xbox360 Natal Cirque de Soleil show in LA
Lastnite was phenomenal! From the amazing rotating picture box frame with a girl walking on ceiling, upside down. I am still trying to figure out how they did that! Grand production all around XBox and Cirque de soleil for the XBox 360 Natal! from Cirques ability to transform the ambiance with outer planetary characters. The set was amazing! The had us wearing some Nazi like robes that had shoulders that would change color with the lightening. We were like bees drawn to pollen. The game, get to the game already! That Cirque music lulled me to sleep real quick, but not cuz i was not entertained, it was almost to much.. I actually enjoyed it more thinking about it now then i did was i was there. I keep thinkin about all those landfills filled with wiis. All the kids that will be begging they parents to buy them one.. Anyhow, you dont need any of those pesky controls that get lost, or run out of batteries, the machine reads your bodies motion. They had lots of game displays, and techs about what the console has like live video chat. Microsoft will be scoring with the XBox 360 Natal. Kinect.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/natal-cirque-de-soleil-event-detailed

May 27th, 2010 by asia

My Swiss Miss, Miss Nicc from Switzerland, unleashes this event, as part of No Easy Props, Europe. Our plan is world domination (or at least the US and Europe) in pursuit of making everyone have..”Nothing But Flavor”! What else is there anywayz?

NoEasyProps Europe Presents:

there is… NOTHING BUT FLAVOR **FIRST EDITION**

May 29th and 30th 2010

*** /// 1ST PLACE Each Category SFr 500.- /// **

*** 1 vs 1 BATTLES ***
POPPING
LOCKING
HOUSE
HIP-HOP FREESTYLE

**** MORE HAPPENINGS ***

OCTOGON WORLD RUMBLE 2010!!
…. with Winner from all over the World
USA, Isreal, Poland, Spain, UK, Canada, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Denmark, Russia, and more……

*** CIRCLE PRINZ SWITZERLAND ***

Hosts // Salah (F), MC Trix (UK)

AFTERPARTY 00:00 – 04:00
DJ‘s // Renegade (UK), Mr. Tee (IBE)

***WORKSHOPS WITH***
SALAH (F)
P.LOCK (F)
JR. BOOGALOO (USA)
LINK (USA)
CALEAF (USA)

NESS MZK (USA)

More infos and registrations, visit:
www.thereisnothingbutflavor.com
www.octogonworldrumble.com

Location // GZ Heuried, Döltschiweg 130, 8055 Zürich
Doors // 14:00 Prize // SFr 20.- / both days SFr 30.-
Public transportation from Mainstation:
Take tram 14 (direction Triemli), Exit: Schaufelbergstrasse

April 30th, 2010 by asia

I’ve been following Linda’s designs for a while now… from her days designing the women’s line for LRG to the development of the Lovemade line alongside partner Tammy Le. Peep this new bag that Linda designed for Matahari! And cop immediately!

For immediate release:

Hong Kong based hand bag brand MATAHARI has collaborated with Linda Nguyen (also known and Linda Lovemade) to present a handbag, named the “Linda” as part of their STYLIST SERIES for their FALL 2010 collection.
Known for its amazing collection of individualistic pieces, Mata-Hari creates luxury bags with a fun and modern twist, which undoubtedly exemplifies Linda’s personal style and creative design—both stunning and innovative.

“I would describe the Lovemade design aesthetic as being focused on unique silhouettes, mixed with versatile and technical features. For this collaboration with Matahari, I wanted to create an original hand bag design that was unique in shape, function and detaiI while maintaining a luxury feel” says Linda.

The “Linda” handbag design is in the form of a geometric heart, which was inspired by the Lovemade heart logo and available in 2 different color options:

1)“COLOR ME BAD” (multi-color) features a black suede base with magenta, and pastel shades of blue, yellow and purple leather appliquéd on the surface of the bag in a mosaic inspired pattern.

2) “PEEK-A-BOO” (black perforated leather) is a more subtle and classic option, made of a custom perforated leather with underlying gold foil that shines while peek-a-booing through the holes.

Other features include:
· Shiny gold hardware
· Detachable shoulder strap to transform bag into clutch.
· Zipper detail at the bottom of bag with optional chain hanging detail.
· Zip pocket on interior and exterior on both sides of the bag

Available July 2010

Retail price: $90

Will be available on: www.love-made.com online shop and www.80spurple.com.

PRE-ORDERING is highly recommended as this color way is limited edition!

Not only will you be the first to know when the handbag releases, you can be the first to own the “Linda” weeks before it hits retailers and on top of that we’ll even give you an additional 15% off the purchase!!

Pre-order deadline: 5/17
Delivery: 7/17-8/17
———————————————
*For Pre-Order/Sales/Wholesale inquiries, please email us at Heart@Love-Made.com

April 24th, 2010 by asia

Thank you Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival for presenting this special 70th!! Bday Tribute to Bruce Lee! Special Screenings, celebrity guests, and family members will commermorate Bruce’s life and legacy. 4/30-5/2 (See schedule below)
___________________________________________________________________

Bruce Lee mania came about in the early 70′s when there was a strong anti-Chinese sentiment in the US due in part to the Vietnam War, and the Chinese aid support and fighting alongside Vietnamese.

He took the Hong Kong Style of martial arts movies that were popular to a new level, and was responsible for the major surge of interest in marital arts in the West in the 1970s.

A true student of philosophy, Bruce’s allegiance to the original form of Wing Chun, changed as he adopted a mixed medium approach by adding strengths from a variety of martial arts to form his un-orthodox method he called, Jeet Kune Do, or “The Way of the Intercepting Fist”.

A true visionary and be yonder, he refused to be constrained by rigid Chinese beliefs, such as the rule of not teaching non-Chinese martial arts. Bruce himself, taught by the legendary Wing Chun master Yip-Man, was eventually alienated from further teaching due to his part non-Chinese ancestry (his mother was 1/2 German). Bruce’s Chinese name was Lee Jun Fan, in Cantonese translated to “return again”; as his mother believed he would return to the US from China. Very auspicious indeed!

Bruce spent his early years in the US training and entering martial arts competitions, and his interest in acting was overshadowed by his passion for martial arts. His lightening speed, and martial arts feats couldn’t help but attract TV producers’ interests and he landed supporting roles as Kato in “The Green Hornet”, and also in several episodes of “Batman”. When Bruce’s acting career didn’t take off in the US, due to fears in Hollywood about having an Asian playing a staring role, and how or if that would translate into box office sales, he went back to China and hit it big with director Raymond Chow, staring in “The Big Boss, “Fist of Fury”, and “Way of the Dragon”. These films were box office hits in Hong Kong with Chinese Nationalism themes always present. Due to the undeniable success of these movies, Warner Bro’s finally came knocking with an offer to star in “Enter the Dragon”, which became a box office hit. Tradgically Bruce passed away, under mysterious circumstances only a few days before the film was to be released, and also before the completion of “The Game of Death”, that Bruce wrote, and began shooting and directing, before his untimely passage.

A true trailblazer on the health frontier Bruce believed in the benefits of juicing, vitamins and supplements, and protein drinks, that he concocted himself. He also believed in rigorous training consisting of intense cardio session, weights and reps, flexibility and serious abs workouts, emphasizing the importance of core strength.
Bruce was no stranger to variety, and he spent a great deal of time cultivating his knowledge and perfecting his form and mind, advocating that technique is not what is important, but the combination of spirituality and physique, which are the backbone of Jeet Kune Do. His fights as well as physical features are legendary, and still unsurpassed, giving him the title of “superhuman” such as:

Lee’s striking speed from three feet with his hands down by his side reached five hundredths of a second. [82]
Lee’s combat movements were at times too fast to be captured on film for clear slow motion replay using the traditional 24 frames per second of that era, so many scenes were shot in 32 frames per second for better clarity. [84][85][86]
In a speed demonstration, Lee could snatch a dime off a person’s open palm before they could close it, and leave a penny behind. [87]
Lee would hold an elevated v-sit position for 30 minutes or longer. [79]
Lee could throw grains of rice up into the air and then catch them in mid-flight using chopsticks. [88]
Lee could thrust his fingers through unopened cans of Coca-Cola. (This was when soft drinks cans were made of steel much thicker than today’s aluminum cans). [86]
Lee performed one-hand push-ups using only the thumb and index finger. [80][88][89]
Lee performed 50 reps of one-arm chin-ups. [90]
Lee could break wooden boards 6 inches (15 cm) thick. [91]
Lee could cause a 200-lb (90.72 kg) bag to fly towards and thump the ceiling with a sidekick. [80]
In a move that has been dubbed “Dragon Flag”, Lee could perform leg lifts with only his shoulder blades resting on the edge of a bench and suspend his legs and torso horizontal midair. [93]
(Sources: Little, John (1998). The Art of Expressing the Human Body. Tuttle Publishing. pp. 12,22. ISBN 978-0804831291.)

We will forever love you Bruce Lee, as the one and only who made the world recognize Chinese martial arts, and you as the truth!

BRUCE LEE, CULTURAL ICON: 70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
The Film Festival is pleased to collaborate with Bruce Lee Enterprises to observe the 70th birthday of martial arts legend and Asian American cultural icon Bruce Lee.

THE CHINESE CONNECTION
(FREE Outdoor Screening)
THE work that introduced Bruce Lee to young urban and Asian American audiences (contains action violence and brief nudity; parental guidance suggested).
Friday, April 30, sundown, Madang the Courtyard (FREE Parking)
621 S. Western Ave. (one block north of Wilshire Blvd.),
Los Angeles Koreatown

ENTER THE DRAGON
Plus PANEL DISCUSSION w/ Shannon Lee & Special Guests
A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover. Includes a special post-screening panel with Shannon Lee, actor/martial artist Bob Wall, Directors Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, Joe Hahn (Linkin Park) and moderated by Phil Yu of angryasianman.com.
Saturday, May 1, 12:00 p.m., Laemmle’s Sunset 5
8000 W. Sunset Blvd. (one block west of the DGA), West Hollywood

BRUCE LEE: THE FAMILY MAN — A special panel with the Lee Family and friends including wife Linda Lee Cadwell, daughter Shannon Lee, God-daughter/actress Diana Lee Inosanto and others to be announced. The guests will discuss Bruce Lee as the man, the father, the husband, and the friend.
Sunday, May 2, 4:00 p.m., DGA Atrium (FREE Admission)

tickets: www.vconline.org

March 26th, 2010 by asia

No, im not talking about the MTV show. Real talk though, if you want to add some flava to your car, and distinguish it from the pack in Cali, why not get a customized ART license plate? By doing so you will help our broke azz state out too! If your down with the cause, and overstand the concept of each one doing his /her part.. than this is for you:

From Malissa Feruzzi Shriver
Chair, California Arts Council

It’s a crucial time for the arts in California. Our economy relies on creative minds, artistic organizations and innovative workers, yet our per capita state investment in the arts is the lowest in the nation. But there’s something each Californian can do to turn this around …

Help us reach one million Arts plates!
One million cars with California Arts Plates would mean $40 million for the arts. That would put California near the top in arts funding rather than dead last. Californians have the power to take our state from last to first in arts funding by choosing the Arts Plate for their cars and supporting arts for children and a strong creative economy and arts infrastructure.

Arts Plates are now tax deductible
All fees for the Arts Plate are considered a charitable contribution to the California Arts Council (more). Businesses and residents looking to support arts statewide now have an extra incentive to support California arts – and have a cool looking license plate as well.

Buy an Arts Plate – help move California from last to first
Since the Arts Plate first went on sale in 1994 it has raised over $20 million for California arts through sales and renewals. Currently over 60 % of the California Arts Council’s budget comes from the Arts Plate.

4 Steps to Order
an Arts Plate

Looking to get an Arts Plate for yourself or a loved one? Follow these simple steps.

1. Go to the DMV page for Specialty License Plates.

2. Choose a sequential (random number) or personalized plate.

3. Fill out the form. Standard plate ordering requires the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

4. Purchase using a major credit card.

Learn more at:http://www.cac.ca.gov/licenseplate/index.php

February 23rd, 2010 by asia

The press is in on this one, and the verdict is…Winner! I can’t wait to check out Wholetrain. Hip-Hop is a rich culture filled with ethos, code of ethics, lineage and creed. Wholetrain’s storyline alludes to these aspects.
Charlie Ahern and Henry Chalfant are our Siskel and Ebert of Graffiti films, and they give it the spray finger up! So get some cans and a fatcap, do a throwup and go see this flick, director Florian Gaag, (Aero One) will be in the house! Oh and cop the soundtack too, for bangfactor!

View WHOLETRAIN trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JVFpaUsIN0

“Florian Gaag has an excellent movie out. I am really proud to be part of that project. WHOLETRAIN is the dopest graffiti movie ever. I would put WHOLETRAIN next to the great movies, right up next to ‘Style Wars’… WHOLETRAIN really captured Hip Hop’s culture.” KRS ONE

With his fantastic cinema debut WHOLETRAIN Florian Gaag tells the story of a crew of four “writers” – David, Tino, Elyas and Achim – who observe the hierarchies, the values, the rules and the codes of the graffiti scene. Night after night they make off for the subway stations of the city, intent on leaving opulent images behind. But as another crew appears on the scene, and the four feel challenged, a creative battle ensues, one that will change the lives of these young people for ever. We are confronted with life taken to the limit. Constantly on the edge of legality. Always on the run from the law. Urban space must be reclaimed. Friends are made and lost. Unbridled creativity and doing things for the sheer love of it are watchwords too.

WHOLETRAIN is an exciting and emotionally gripping drama, one that explores for the first time the secret universe of the graffiti scene. The protagonists exist in a breathless state, suspended somewhere between two worlds: their day to day life, and their existence within the crew. Florian Gaag manages to recount a tale colored by tension and aggression. The result is a many-sided portrait of characters whose world has never been documented in this way before. Their subculture remains authentic and realistic. Edgy editing and grandiloquent camerawork, a pulsating soundtrack and an excellent ensemble of actors, make WHOLETRAIN a film experience not to be missed.

Florian Gaag collaborated with internationally renowned graffiti artists. Writers such as NEON, WON, CEMNOZ, PURE and CIEL, who were responsible for the artwork in the film.
The WHOLETRAIN Soundtrack to be released on June, 2010 was produced by Florian Gaag aka AERO ONE who worked with legendary figures like Hip Hop greats KRS-One, O.C., Planet Asia, Afu-Ra, Grand Agent, Tame One, Akrobatik, REEF the Lost Cauze, Roger Rekless and El Da Sensei.

For more information, please visit www.wholetrain.com and www.myspace.com/wholetrain

View trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=8JVFpaUsIN0

PRESS: For review copies of the film WHOLETRAIN and the soundtrack,
contact Florian Gaag at info@wholetrain.com

WHOLETRAIN Screenings

FEB. 24 SAN FRANCISCO
6:30pm. Goethe-Institut 530 Bush St. San Francisco CA 94108. 415.263.8760 goethe.de Q & A: Director Florian Gaag

MARCH 1: LOS ANGELES
7pm. FREE! Goethe-Institut
5750 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100
Los Angeles CA 323.525.3388
Q & A: Director: Florian Gaag

“I saw WHOLETRAIN at S.O.B.’s in NYC. It was a great experience watching it. There was a tremendous amount of character development, interesting dialogue and a lot of story in it. It took real vision to make that world come alive like that. WHOLETRAIN is an impressive piece of work. It´s the only Graffiti-Movie that can follow in the footsteps of Wild Style. – CHARLIE AHEARN, Wild Style

WHOLETRAIN shows the human dimensions of Graffiti-Writing. The social conflicts of the protagonists are fascinating and allow you to take a look at the writers´real lives. Real characters, real problems.
WHOLETRAIN is a very good film that not only reflects writing culture but also leaves room to authentically portray the writers´ social reality.”
- HENRY CHALFANT (Subway Art, Style Wars)

“I loved the movie…WHOLETRAIN represented the scene the best – ever. It really captured what writers go through and their struggles; they were humanized, they weren’t caricatures. I appreciate that. I remember that it made me feel that I was there with those guys, living with those guys. It took me back to a time when I was living the way those kids were living. I thought it was very authentic in that sense.” – KET

PRESS

“A gripping drama with an outstanding cast. The most authentic German movie in a long time.” – ROLLING STONE

“The film is as fast as a speeding subway train.” DIE WELT

“This film simply hits you in the face, and you can’t get it out of your eyes, your ears, and your senses.” – ULYSSES

“A febrile movie. A moving drama and homage to youth.” – SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG

“Florian Gaag has shot a small film about sprayers and made a huge portrait on the Ninjas of this subculture. An excellent cinematic debut.” – SPIEGEL ONLINE

“Even the minor roles were well cast in a film that managed to convince in every detail, great fun indeed.” – TAZ

“A grandiloquent love affair with the graffiti scene.” “A wild and uncompromising film.” “These characters are so real, real like we hardly ever see them in the cinema.” “A phenomenal debut.” EPD FILM

“Exact, sensitive and without cliches.” – BERLINER ZEITUNG

“A furious debut film, one that adapts the aesthetic of graffiti in a clever way and knows just how to capture it in cinematic terms.” ” Wholetrain, with its exact symbiosis of staccato editing, hiphop sound design and racy plot, remains one of the best films of the year.” – FILM-DIENST

AWARDS

Urban World Vibe Film Festival New York – Best Narrative Feature Film

Kiev International Film Festival Molodist – Best Feature Film & Audience Award

Cologne Conference – Best Feature Film

Starter Film Award – City of Munich

Sarajevo International Film Festival – Best Youth Film

Exground International Film Festival – Best Youth Film

Boston International Film Festival – Best Narrative Feature Film

HipHop Odyssey International Film Festival New York – Best Narrative Feature Film
Berlin International Film Festival – Special Mention “Dialogue En Perspective”

3 Grimme Awards: (Screenplay / Direction: Florian Gaag), Camera (Christian Rein), Editing: Kai Schröter)

Prenominations for the German Fim Awards in six categories: Best Film, Best Editing, Best Set Design, Best Score, Best Sound Design, Best Costume