Monday, March 03, 2008

New Book Out


New Book Out
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn
Ian's book is out!


My new book, Parallel Strokes, is available now via the book website. It isn't officially being released for a week on Amazon or in bookstores, but it's available online.

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 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Parallel Strokes is richly illustrated throughout, featuring copious previously unpublished work by the interviewed artists, as well as supplementary illustrations and photographs detailing contemporary and historical trends in graffiti and type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 $20 with free shipping worldwide.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Us and Cassandra and Germans!


Us and Cassandra and Germans!
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
We had rad German houseguests for 3 weeks: Anne Philip, and Moritz!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Us and the Germans purikura


Us and the Germans purikura
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
A lot of the Print Club (purikura) machine spots in Japan have costume

closets, so you can get gussied up for your portrait. When you dress up the

gaikokujin and then cram 6 of them in a little booth, one might not be able

to tell that they are dressed up.

What an undergraduate art education is good for:

My pal Ben took my drawing homework from an undergraduate drawing class and

turned it into a record cover for his band. The name is a nice ode to

Dinosaur Jr's classic LP.

Afterward...


Afterward...
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
Post-game, we find Ry relaxing by dancing outside the stadium entrance.

Asses whupped


Asses whupped
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
Ryan Seuffert observes the Yokohama BayStars get their asses handed to them

on a gleaming platter by the Tokyo Giants.

Sweets Paradise


Sweets Paradise
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
There is a restaurant in Shibuya called "Sweets Paradise" where it is all

you can eat dessert, drinks, and food. It costs about ¥1500 for 90 minutes

of piggery. Depicted here is Miz Selena Hoy chowing down.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

vagrant spotted.


vagrant spotted.
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
selena investigates the guidebook @ kyoto. ju hachi kipu hobo.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Keep it real


Keep it real
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
Right after I snapped this, I got totally run down by shop staff who were

bummed on the picture-taking.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Me and Bob on the street in Shibuya

Photo by Mister Eli Carrico. Bob is my homey.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

bruna poster


bruna poster
Originally uploaded by ianmgrn.
in osaka, i think.