Cometdebris Garamaniacal Garamon

Garamaniacal

FOE co-owner Jim Shea teams up with Michael Nordstrom of Garamania to curate Garamaniacal, an homage to the clunky, crusty, fish-lipped, oil-belching, high-rise-wrecking meteorite monster Garamon and his “recycled” alter ego, the friendly and excitable Pygmon. Garamaniacal will look at kaiju culture through the lens of these two iconic creatures, presenting information on the characters, the TV shows on which they first appeared, and the visionary artists who created them. As well, the gallery will be filled with an amazing assortment of contemporary art and toys inspired by Garamon and Pygmon. Cometdebris will have a custom Garamon figure in the show.

FOE STORE & GALLERY

Sink or Swim San Francisco

In the spirit of ocean conservation the Japan-based non-profit organization, PangeaSeed, in collaboration with Spoke Art, is pleased to announce our inaugural transcontinental art exhibition, Sink or Swim, featuring original works from 30 internationally renowned artists such as Dave Kinsey, Josh Keyes, Dan May, Jim Phillips, Jeff Soto and many more. This gathering of widely acclaimed artists from around the globe will address one the biggest threats facing the health of world’s oceans today – the rapid and mass depletion of sharks.

Did you know that scientists estimate global fish stocks will be in full collapse by 2048 if current consumption and destructive fishing practices continue? But what’s even more shocking is that the majority of the ocean’s shark species could be extinct within the next 10-20 years.

With each minute that passes close to 200 sharks are killed, adding up to around 80 million deaths each year. A majority of these sharks are killed only for their fins to satisfy an unsustainable appetite for shark fin soup. In the cruel practice known as “finning,” the shark is hooked and brought aboard the boat where its fins are then cut off and the still alive but limbless animal is tossed back into the sea. With no instruments to move, the helpless shark sinks to the ocean floor and eventually drowns.

Love them or fear them, sharks are essential if we are going to keep the oceans the sustainable resource that they should be. Older than the dinosaurs, for over 400 million years sharks have shaped and balanced the oceans. Since sharks are at the top of the food chain as an “apex predator” they play a vital role in ways average fish do not.

In virtually every part of the ocean sharks keep fish populations healthy and in proper balance. Already in areas where sharks have been over- fished we are seeing a change for the worse. Many species of sharks are now endangered, imagine the consequences for the oceans, and the people who depend on them for survival, if such an important animal is eliminated forever.

PangeaSeed is a Tokyo-based grassroots organization dedicated to educating and raising international awareness on the plight of sharks. Through volunteer activism and various mediums including art, music, film, and photography, PangeaSeed aims to create an open dialog with the global community to develop an understanding of the need to preserve and protect sharks and their habitat.

Sink or Swim is not only a reference to the cruel practice of finning but also a reference to our relationship with the oceans as a whole. As human activity is causing sea levels to rise and coral reefs to die, we see fish stocks rapidly disappearing. The global population must change course if we want future generations to experience the sea as we have. We are living at a crucial time in terms of sustaining the oceans. We may sink and fail, or we may find a way to succeed and swim.

In short, Sink or Swim is an SOS to the world that these issues facing the oceans need attention now more than ever. Following the success of Sink or Swim in Tokyo this past July, San Francisco is next in line to host this unique exhibition. Sink or Swim pays homage to the shark, this most important and beautiful of creatures, while critiquing their demise and offering hope for their future.

Sink or Swim will run in San Francisco from 23 ~ 25 September 2011. In support of proposed bill (AB376) to ban shark fin in California State, Sink or Swim offers the community new perspectives on this widely misunderstood and demonized animal. Also, in addition to raising funds to keep sharks afloat both in Japan and around the world PangeaSeed will donate a percentage of the proceeds from Sink or Swim to organizations aiding animals affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Date: 23rd – 25th September, 2011
Reception Party: 23 September 2011
Location: San Francisco, California USA
Venue: Spoke Art Gallery
Times: Fri 6PM – 10PM, Sat and Sun 12PM – 7PM

Sink Or Swim

In the spirit of ocean conservation the Japan-based non-profit organization, PangeaSeed, is ramping up for it’s third annual art exhibition tailored to address one the biggest threats facing the health of world’s oceans today – the rapid mass depletion of sharks.

With each minute that passes close to 200 sharks are killed, adding up to an astonishing 80 million deaths each year. The majority of these sharks are killed only for their fins to satisfy an unsustainable appetite for shark fin soup in Asia and other parts of the world. In the cruel practice known as “finning,” the shark is hooked and brought aboard the boat where its fins are then cut off and the still alive but limbless animal is tossed back into the sea to drown.

All artwork is for sale with proceeds helping to keep sharks afloat both in Japan and around the world. Curated by Pangea Seed and Koji Harmon, featured artists include some of your favorites in the toy and art world such as: Bwana Spoons, Cometdebris, Cupco, Le Merde, Skinner, Suckadelic, and a ton more. Also, PangeaSeed will donate a percentage of proceeds to help aid animals affected by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan.

Show opens July 16th and runs through the 22nd. Check it out if you're in Tokyo!

M Event Space & Bar in Daikanyama (http://www.m-event-bar.com)

Pangea Seed (pangeaseed.com)

Misty Fog's Ultimate Megalith!

Le Merde is coming back to Tokyo! "Misty Fog's Ultimate Megalith" will feature all new custom figures and artwork, as well as the debut of Misty Fog's new figure Megalith. In addition, custom Megaliths will be on display by several of Le Merde's friends from both Japan and abroad. Misty Fog's Ultimate Megalith opens this Saturday at 2:00 at Thrash Out in Koenji. Be there or be lunch meat.

More information:
LE MERDE
GARGAMEL

Sloth 'n' Moth

Sloth 'n' Moth

Sloth 'n' Moth is opening at Grass Hut this Thursday. The very first vinyl piece by Graves & Spoons will make it debut with several custom versions by artists from the US and Japan. Pictured above is my custom version. In addition, other sloth inspired pieces will be put on display. Grass Hut is located in Portland, Oregon.

GRASS HUT

Alien Argus Custom Show

Toy Art Gallery is proud to present Mark Nagata’s Alien Argus Custom Group Show. TAG, Mark Nagata and Fig-lab have gathered together over 70 of the best Kaiju and toy artists in the world to customize Toy Art Gallery and Maxtoy Company’s first collaborative figure project. Opening reception is February 26th 2011 from 7-11 PM. Show runs Feb. 26 – March 26.

MAX TOY CO.

TOY ART GALLERY

Cometdebris Dai Kaiju Customs

February 8-20, at Alternative Cafe in Nakano, Tokyo.

Dai Kaiju Card Monsters Custom Toy Show

Cometdebris will be contributing a set of customs figures to Ilanena's 10th anniversary custom toy show. Pictures coming soon. February 8-20, at Alternative Cafe in Nakano, Tokyo.

www.ilanena.com

Kaiju & Beyond

Gargamel's Kaiju & Beyond show at Rotofugi was one of their biggest events in the states. The show featured over 100 custom figures and art pieces by Kiyoka and Naoya of Gargamel, Bwana Spoons, David Horvath and Sun-Min, Le Merde, Scrappers, and myself. Kiyoka and I attended the opening and were very excited to talk toys with all the kaiju geeks. Thanks to everyone who came out to the show. And a special thanks to Kirby and Whitney of Rotofugi.

Cometdebris Custom Burgerbuns

For the Funbuns show at Super7, opening today. (See previous post).

Randall's Magic Scrap Yard

Some pics from Bwana's show at Thrash Out. Show runs through the 19th.

Randall's Magic Scrap Yard

Randall's Magic Scrap Yard, an art and toy show by Bwana Spoons, is coming to Thrash Out this weekend. Bwana will be bringing a good number of paintings and custom figures, and will be debuting two new Gargamel figures, Randall the Bear, and Boris the Bee. In addition to Bwana's work, he has invited some of his friends to customize his Randall figure (Cometdebris has one figure in the event!), and these will also be on display. Opening reception is November 14th from 3:00 to 8:00. Show runs through the 19th. Thrash Out is located at Koenji Station. See you there!

Burgerbuns Funbuns Custom Show

I just finished painting my custom Le Merde Burgerbuns figure. It was a lot of fun. Looking forward to seeing some of the others included in this event.

More info from Super7's blog:

Seattle superstar Le Merde is launching the first painted version of his new mascot-scale vinyl figure, Burgerbuns, with a custom figure art show! Funbuns features custom painted Burgerbuns vinyl figures by the one and only Le Merde and his artsy friends. Opening Saturday, November 20th, 6pm, at thew new Super7 Store, 1427 Haight St, San Francisco.

Tokoji Show At Grass Hut

This month at Grass Hut! All new Cometdebris custom Tokoji Seijin figures, as well as Tokoji nature photographs. Show opens October 7th. Grass Hut, Portland.

GRASS HUT

Comic Con Customs

This was the Gargamel table set-up. We brought out a few new customs each day of Comic Con.

Remaining Cometdebris customs are available HERE if you're interested.

San Diego Comic Con

Just back from Comic Con. Busy and crazy as usual, but being able to hang out with friends made it all worth it. Here's a little of what I scored. More pics to come.

Kappa Ten

Kappa Ten is happening again this summer. This is a group show featuring kappa inspired work by a variety of artists. I will have a few custom Tokoji Seijin figures on dispay, as well as some photographs of Tokoji in his natural environment. Show runs from July 22 to August 3, at Artist Garden Gallery & Cafe in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Click the postcard above for a closer look at the map.

Limited Edition Tokoji Seijin

Cometdebris will be joining Gargamel and Grass Hut at Comic Con (booth number 4739), with some custom figures and a limited edition Tokoji Seijin release. This exclusive Tokoji is cast in creamy yellow vinyl, sprayed with green and blue metallics, and features a splattered shell and angry eyes. Limited edition of 5, available Preview Night at Comic Con. For those who can't make it to Comic Con, watch the website for a few customs to be added to the online store soon afterwards.