Chronicle Books Blog

Artist David Choe’s big new show Nothing to Declare opens today in Los Angeles at a pop-up gallery in Beverly Hills. It’s the first of four shows that will be hosted in an 18,000 square foot space on North Beverly Drive by the London-based Lazarides Gallery. I’ve been working with him on a monograph of his work that Chronicle will be releasing soon and was lucky enough to be invited to the preview last night. So obviously I’m a fan, but the show is amazing!

There’s a lot of work in the show—new watercolors, paintings, and some inflatable creatures.

The front of the space is set apart from the street by a screen of rugs and blankets featuring tigers, deer, Hannah Montana, and the occasional bit by David.

The gallery also includes work in what looks like a former changing room area, including spray paint on the mirrors.

I think—thanks Google—that the space used to be an Anthropologie, can any L.A. folks confirm? I’ve never been to an opening quite like this before, much less in L.A.—check out all the valets!

The watercolors are in the back area.

It’s great to see the detail in the work in person.

Among the friends/supporters/fans there whom I recognized were the Giant Robot guys, Martin and Eric, artist James Jean, and Harry Kim, the filmmaker behind the great documentary Dirty Hands: The Art & Crimes of David Choe. And David’s proud parents (that’s David in the middle).

The monograph that we’ve been working on—well really that David has been working on for the past 10 years—is almost 300 pages, written and designed by David himself. It’s out soon and I’m dying to see what people think. We’re super proud of it. We’ve posted a preview here, and until June 17th we’re offering a 30% discount plus free ground shipping on the monograph plus the postcards and sketchbook we’ve done with David. Use promo code CHOE at checkout.

The show runs from April 23rd through May 23rd. If you go, try to time your visit to coincide with one of the weeklong screenings of the world premiere of a whole new cut (with new music) of Dirty Hands playing April 30th through May 6th at the Sunset 5 Theater in West Hollywood. Check it out! Also be on the lookout for the May issue of Juxtapoz Magazine. David played a big role in this issue, which is sure to become a collector’s item.

Steve Mockus
Senior Editor

Unless you truly believe a certain magazine’s claim that “Stars Are Just Like US!,” it’s probably difficult to imagine those well-styled celeb parents having any of the same concerns, insights, or ups and downs as we regular moms and dads have. I mean, if they can be red-carpet ready four weeks after giving birth, can they really exist on the same parenting planet as the rest of us? That’s why it was such a kick to come across this Letterman clip of Jennifer Garner talking about motherhood, and specifically about how differently she and hubby Ben Affleck parent their second child versus their first. When Letterman opines that he’s envious of her chance to have a second baby, because he imagines that that’s when you learn to parent in a more relaxed and mutually beneficial way, Jen lights up in agreement. “Oh, if we could all just be second time parents–the first time around!” she proclaims. Hey, she’s practically quoting our book cover! Thanks, Jennifer, for being our celebrity spokesperson…even if you didn’t know it. Here’s hoping she picks up a few dozen copies of the book for the many other new moms in Hollywood.

Check out from 6:07 – 6:42.

Kerry Colburn
Author of How to Have Your Second Child First

Brooklyn letterpress favorites enormouschampion have been designing some of the most charming, colorful and creative gift and stationery products for a few years now, and as can be expected, the love for them and their awesome stuff runs deep here at Chronicle. So it’s with great pleasure that I’m able to say that Chronicle has partnered with Jordan and Jason to work on a postcard portfolio featuring some of their most popular love-themed designs.

Our Love Is Here to Stay: 15 Postcards of Affection will be publishing later this year—and it’s quite frankly gorgeous. Here’s a few of the lovely images you’ll find inside this accordion portfolio:

Add a comment below if you want to be kept updated on the publication of this one-of-a-kind art object—we’ll let you know when it hits the streets!

Also, if you’re in Brooklyn, this weekend, check out enormouschampion at the Prospect Heights Craft Fair.

And finally, check out Jason’s other endeavor, the utterly cool and eye-catching typography collective: Friends of Type.

Jason Sacher
Associate Editor

Happy Earth Day! Here are a few of our favorite green crafts from around the web this week:

Craft points us to this simple and adorable tutorial on turning old t-shirts into new aprons.

Window dresser and future Chronicle author, Cathy of California created these amazing hanging decorations out of thrifted paperbacks for Market in Brentwood California. How gorgeous do they look all hanging together?

We love craft designer and journalist, Kelly Wilkinson’s, creative plant markers. Check out the full how-to here.

And while this may not qualify as a craft per se, we love My Paper Crane’s printable dirty dozen cheat sheet which folds up into a pocket size card and fits into your wallet. What a great way to remember which fruits and veggies you should always buy organic!

Check out more Chronicle Craft posts.

Christina Loff
Craft Publicist

In honor of Earth Day, get 25% off at Chroniclebooks.com. Use promo code EARTH at checkout. Today only!

Here are some titles to get you started: