Oct 01, 2013 Some David Choe stories (1 of 2)
After it was announced last week that artist David Choe would be the next speaker at Imprint Presents, it was hard not to recall last year’s Q&A with him at the Art Theatre in Long Beach. Imprint/interTrend leader Julia Huang had arranged for him as well as his documentary filmmaker/Thumbs Up! sidekick/longtime friend Harry Kim to speak as a treat for a company meeting–something to inspire co-workers to live creatively, passionately, and perhaps even dangerously. Julia wondered aloud if the conversation with our mutual friend would inspire employees to quit!
I don’t think that happened but I was on the bright side of the stage, unaware of the unrest that Dave and Harry might have stirred. Julia had asked me to help facilitate the conversation and, of course, it was a blast. While Dave has plenty to podcast about these days–hanging out with Anthony Bourdain, Howard Stern, and porn stars–he was equally freewheeling during his days as a struggling artist. I witnessed that when Dave was contributing to the magazine that I co-founded and edited, and I hope that it came through that he isn’t a guy who went nuts after he was recognized as a fine artist. He’s always been nuts. But he’s also always been a sweetheart.
The photo on the left isn’t the triumphant opening of the 2010 Giant Robot Biennale at JANM. Rather, it’s the less-attended closing. On a rainy evening after The Binges played a kick-ass set to shut down the art show curated by my good friend and GR co-founder Eric Nakamura, most fans who were streaming out didn’t even notice Dave flanked by his buddies James Jean and Rob Sato at the front desk where security usually sit. Dave has presented James and Rob as two of the best artists on earth for as long as I’ve known him, and he continues to promote them and other pals no matter how far he goes. He is the hugest fan of his friends, whom he never forgets.
On the right is Dave at his Lazarides opening later the same year. By then a lot of us realized that Dave’s art career had reached critical mass outside of L.A. but this was the event where we got to experience the juggernaut firsthand. A killer spot in Beverly Hills. Celebrity collectors. A gigantic inflatable whale. Holy crap. But amidst the searchlights and security guards holding clipboards were Dave’s parents and brothers–all equally giddy and being taking along for the ride. I remember Mrs. Choe asking me about my wife and infant daughter, and wondering if I could get Dave to settle down. Yeah, right. Now he shares pictures of his mom’s artwork on his Instagram account.
I realize that I haven’t even mentioned Dave’s art. His deceptively effortless looking but always loving and exquisitely skillful blend of comics, graffiti, and smut. I’m no critic but I can attest that he has not only drawn and painted but dreamed for his entire life. As a result, his illustration skills, artistic vision, and ability to create are finely honed and second nature. He makes it look ridiculously easy. So much fun. And after all the work he’s clocked in, it is easy and fun for Dave. His noontime talk at the Center for the Preservation of Democracy on October 17 will be that way, too. Get more info at this link, and I’ll see you there.
Next week I’ll try to dig up some art and stories from magazine days, so stay tuned…