PLOG (PRESSPOP BLOG)

Tokyo, December, 2011

2011-12-25T23:21:00.000+09:00

Happy Holidays from Presspop!

Lee Perry doll update

2011-11-29T17:45:00.001+09:00

As always, production is taking more time than we planned but it's gradually coming into shape!More Lee Perry doll info to follow.

2011-11-15T19:29:00.001+09:00

"Shigeru Mizuki's War and the Newspaper" Exhibit

2011-11-15T17:31:00.001+09:00

Now showing at the Newspaper Museum in Yokohama, Japan, is an exhibit curated with an intention to compare the works created under the theme of war by Mizuki and the newspaper articles of those times.Mizuki was a soldier fighting at the front line in the New Britain Island during WWII, and he also happened to be a very good artist and story teller. The juxtaposition of war seen through a soldier's eyes and war as told by the press works as an excellent trigger to make people think and think again, "what is the meaning of war?"

Akira Sakata Shakes the European Continent!!

2011-10-22T15:22:00.000+09:00

With a new record, IN A BABBLE just released, this Autumn Sakata is teaming up with Dazzling Killmen bassist Darin Gray and Bjork touring musician, Chris Corsano a.k.a. CHIKAMORACHI for a European tour.
Please check dates below and don't miss out on this rare chance to see the Japanese free jazz alto saxophone extraordinaire in action!

10/25 Akira Sakata&chikamorachiMoskow School of Dramatic Arts
10/27 Akira Sakata&chikamorachiKrakow Poland　Alchemia club
10/28 Akira Sakata&chikamorachiPoznan Poland　Dragon club
11/01,02 Akira Sakata&chikamorachiLondon UK　cafe OTO
11/04Akira Sakata&chikamorachiBrussell Belgium　RECYCLART
11/05Akira Sakata&chikamorachiHasselt Belgium CC BELGIE
11/06Music unlimited 25Wels Austria akira sakata alone
darin&chris will make a session in Belgium
11/09Akira Sakata&chikamorachi Shibuya, Tokyo WWW
Guest: Yosuke Yamashita, Jim O'Rourke, Michiyo Yagi

Tesco Vee in Detroit, Michigan!

2011-08-16T22:06:00.003+09:00

August 27th at St Andrews Hall.
TOUCH & GO: THE COMPLETE FANZINE REPLICA BOX SET is available today!

NY Times Sunday Book Review

2011-08-15T21:44:00.002+09:00

Tank Tankuro on NY Times Sunday Book Review.
The book is available here and here.

Tank Tankuro sold at The Beguiling

2011-08-03T23:53:00.002+09:00

For those of you in Canada, you can pick up a copy of Tank Tankuro at The Beguiling store!

SDCC Last Gasp booth with Tankuro looks like this

2011-07-22T22:06:00.005+09:00

Those who buy the first copies will get a free Tankuro poster designed by Chris Ware.

Tankuro at SDCC

2011-07-21T23:52:00.003+09:00

Tankuro has crossed the sea and awaits you at San Diego Comicon now, you can meet him at the booth of Last Gasp booth 1614!

Tank Tankuro at the Drawn & Quarterly store

2011-07-19T22:19:00.002+09:00

For those of you in Montreal, Quebec, you can buy a copy of Tank Tankuro at the Drawn & Quarterly store.

Nobrow Shop, London

2011-07-14T23:23:00.003+09:00

For those of you in London, please visit the Nobrow Shop to check out our products!

Tank Tankuro at San Diego Comicon Last Gasp booth

2011-07-13T11:34:00.005+09:00

Visit LAST GASP BOOTH 1614 to purchase your very own copy of "Tank Tankuro" which will be officially released at San Diego Comicon starting July 20th!
If you get there fast, you might be able to get a poster of Tank Tankuro designed by Chris Ware with your purchase.

Death Ray dolls shipping out

2011-07-11T11:45:00.003+09:00

We will be shipping out the Death Ray dolls to those who have made payment by friday of last week.
Thanks for waiting!

Tank Tankuro at Last Gasp

2011-07-04T21:56:00.002+09:00

Tank Tankuro can also be bought/reserved atLast Gasp.

The Death Ray doll packaging

2011-06-30T14:40:00.003+09:00

We received a sample of the silkscreen box for The Death Ray doll (OAKLAND TOY CORP.).
It is hand printed on special pearl paper and very beautiful.
For those of you who have order the doll from us, please wait a little longer, we should be able to ship them out by
mid July.

Tank Tankuro on amazon

2011-06-28T12:23:00.001+09:00

Accepting pre-orders now here!

Tank Tankuro at San Diego Comicon

2011-06-21T18:26:00.008+09:00

The book is completed and has arrived to us from our printer in Hong Kong, and the rest are on its way to the port in Oakland, USA.

We got a call from Sakamoto's son who received the sample copy, and he seemed so happy and excited, and that made all our hard work of 2 years time pay off. Now, his father's spirit can be passed on to a wider international audience.
Tank Tankuro is Sakamoto's silent rebellion against the pre-war Japanese government of the time which was depriving the freedom of creation from the artists of those days. You can see the pressure he was receiving from the government by some of the work's contents, but underneath it all in Tankuro's free and innocent spirit, you can feel Sakamoto's firm determination that they could not take away his true soul as a creator. He wanted to bring as much joy to the children of the time regardless of the pretty dire situation of the country. As a publisher from Japan in its present condition and what we have been through in these past few months, we feel very fortunate that we were able to work on this book throughout it all.
Thank you Mr.Sakamoto, and thank you Tank Tankuro.

"Tank Tankuro: Prewar Works" will make its debut at the Last Gasp booth at San Diego Comicon this year, we are now making something fun for the event so please stop by!

THE DEATH RAY 12" ACTION FIGURE

2011-06-10T23:55:00.001+09:00

ACCEPTING ORDERS NOW

OAKLAND TOY CORP

2011-06-03T17:39:00.007+09:00

Hello all you toy junkies around the globe!
OAKLAND TOY CORP. was born in Oakland, California, USA.
Little is still known about them except the fact that they make excellent high quality products, and Presspop is their exclusive distributor.

Their first product is: THE DEATH RAY 12" ACTION FIGURE
Limited to 200 sets.
Reservation starts from June 9th, 2011.

please check out this page.

Exciting new toy company!

2011-05-26T16:55:00.001+09:00

OAKLAND TOY CORP.

Tank Tankuro at the printer now

2011-05-17T15:51:00.001+09:00

Shigeru Mizuki's new serial

2011-05-10T21:00:00.003+09:00

Mizuki is starting a new serial in Big Comic magazine at 89 years of age!
The title is, GEGEGE NO KAKEIBO (Gegege's Household Account Book), and it's about Mizuki's young days of poverty and his thoughts on "money." Based on his own household account book from the times!

AKIRA SAKATA

2011-04-25T22:18:00.006+09:00

We are now working on several projects withAkira Sakata , free jazz saxophonist extraordinaire from Japan.
We've created his page on youtube and starting his documentary project. More info to come, in the meantime, please check out this page.

Akira Sakata Analog 2 record album scheduled to drop in June!

Tank Tankuro updates

2011-03-28T05:33:00.005+09:00

So we have been working hard all last week on the final editing of the Tank Tankuro book. Color proofs for the book cover and slipcase has arrived from our printer in Hong Kong, and we have made dummy to see a more completed version of the book.....looking very lovely! Exciting to see the book come together after so much time of working on it (yes, we always spend too much time working on our projects!).

For all you comics shops outside Japan, you can pre-order the book now through Diamondcomics.
You can read Chris Ware's comments about the book and a text excerpt from the author, Sakamoto talking about the book (Tank Tankuro will have 16 page interpretive text of interviews, etc.) from this link to Diamond newsletter page.
Last Gaspwill also be distributing the book outside Japan.

The New York Times OP-ED page this Sunday

2011-03-18T23:03:00.003+09:00

It was only this Wednesday that we got contact from The New York Times requesting they wanted our artist, Shigeru Mizuki to draw artwork based on his personal observations and thoughts on the earthquake/tsunami disaster of Japan.
We were not sure if the 89 years old master of manga who rarely takes on sudden rush projects these days will accept this request.
But he did.
He said given the tremendous shock and challenge of what Japan is facing now, he felt he must accept.
And amidst all the national confusion, the eerie aftershock earthquakes, and repeated black-outs, in no more than a day and a half later, we received it.
In our experience of working for more than 10 years with this last living giant of manga and WWII veteran who lost his left arm in combat, it was one of the most powerful and emotional images we had seen.

Please check out the OP-ED page of this Sunday's New York Times (print version, not online).

we are not leaving Tokyo and we are back to work

2011-03-14T22:36:00.005+09:00

our hearts are with those who are in the eastern coast right now, and we pray for minimum damage and sadness.

many thanks to all our friends from overseas who have been sending us continuous words of support and prayers.

due to the earthquake, the eastern part of Japan is having shortage of electricity and we are having planned black outs by territory, so we may not be able to get back to you immediately at times in terms of e-mail but will do so as soon as we can.

presspop WEB SELECT SHOP is up and running as usual.

for those of you seeking up to date information on what's REALLY going on here, this website may help.

"In times of crisis and fear, we must conquer it with nothing but creativity."
- Patti Smith

Earthquake

2011-03-11T20:29:00.000+09:00

We are alright.
but our office 、、、

Lee "Scratch" Perry doll!

2011-03-05T23:29:00.003+09:00

Bob Moog, Raymond Scott, Allen Ginsberg and next in line is.......the "Upsetter," LEE "SCRATCH" PERRY!!!!
Designed by Archer Prewitt of course, and dropping this summer (the sketch shown here is initial stage and design may change).
More info to come.

Tank Tankuro mock up

2011-01-21T12:44:00.001+09:00

hardcover with book case.
designed by: Chris Ware

Saeki in LODOWN

2011-01-21T12:37:00.003+09:00

Toshio Saeki featured in 4 page spread of LODOWN MAGAZINE #74

thank you sold out!

2011-01-18T14:12:00.004+09:00

thanks to everybody who has bought theArthur Russell/ Allen Gisnberg "Ballad of the Lights."

a happy new year

2011-01-06T12:31:00.003+09:00

new year started off with this great coverage of the Allen Ginsberg doll+ CD set by the WIRE magazine (UK) January issue.

happy new year!

TANK TANKURO WORLDWIDE DEBUT!

2010-12-15T11:56:00.010+09:00

COMING SOON!

TANK TANKURO: PERWAR WORKS
by GAJO SAKAMOTO

Japanese Manga Classic Masterpiece!
Roots of Astro Boy!
The Pioneering Robot Manga from Pre-World War II Japan.
COVER DESIGN BY: CHRIS WARE
Language: English

Published by: Presspop Inc.

Details will be announced shortly.

Allen Ginsberg festival in Logos, Shibuya, Tokyo

2010-11-25T18:42:00.003+09:00

This is going on right now at Logos book store inside Parco in Shibuya.
We are running very low on the stock of Arthur Russell and the Flying Hearts featuring Allen Ginsberg 10" record.
Get them while they last!

Susan Cianciolo Tokyo Shop

2010-11-25T18:23:00.004+09:00

Susan Cianciolowill be in Tokyo from Nov.2nd at her Susan Cianciolo Tokyo Shop to have trunk show to sell her art, clothes, and interior goods etc. The show runs from Nov.2nd to 9th, and she will be at the store on the 2nd for the opening night and also maybe on the 3rd as well.
It will be held at New Aquarius in Shibuya.
This Cookbook is Made for Jesus book published from the Tiny Person label of Presspop will be sold at the venue.
Please stop by for this very special occasion to pick up special one-of-a-kind beautiful pieces made by Susan!

NY ART BOOK FAIR UPDATE

2010-10-26T13:56:00.003+09:00

We will be on the 3rd floor of the MOMA PS1 building.
A very limited number of The Allen Ginsberg doll and the Touch & Go replica fanzine box set will be on pre-release sale.....together with the Arthur Russell 10" record, and SCHOOL 2.......and much more!
Please come see us and say hello. We look forward to seeing you.
Dates are: Nov.5-7, and the venue is here.

Arthur Russell / Allen Ginsberg 10" on sale now!

2010-10-21T14:30:00.002+09:00

We are very very happy with the way it turned out.
The letterpress print by Dexterity Press looks amazing.
Each jacket has slightly different tone of color and is an art piece on its own.
Only 1000 copies and can be purchased here.

NY ART BOOK FAIR

2010-09-14T23:25:00.001+09:00

NY ART BOOK FAIR

"Ballad of The Lights" Press Review

2010-09-14T00:41:00.000+09:00

PITCHFORK NEWS

Touch and Go

2010-08-19T15:50:00.003+09:00

We are honored to be releasing this special limited box set of Touch and Go zine replicas.
Touch and Go is the cult independent hardcore punk label founded in Michigan in 1981 and we are huge fans!!!
This was made possible with the cooperation of Bazillion Points who just releasedthis book which is great and also Tesco Vee. Our replica box set will include 1) replica of all 22 volumes of the zines 2) flyer book 3) CD 4) 999 Fanzine and will be dropped sometime this fall.
More info coming soon!

Arthur Russell and Allen Ginsberg

2010-08-09T10:56:00.010+09:00

To celebrate the release of the The Allen Ginsberg Doll, we will be releasing a 10" record of Allen and Arthur Russell: Ballad of the Lights

Allen and Arthur met through their mutual interest in Buddhism, and have collaborated continuously throughout their lives.
We have collected 2 of their most amazing collaborations into a 10" record, and packaged it in beautiful letterpress print jacket (hand pressed by Jeff Mueller of Dexterity Press) with artwork by Archer Prewitt.

A side song, "The Ballad of the Lights", was digitally restored by Chris Taylor (Grizzly Bear/ Terrible Records).

Planned to be out this fall!

Morio by Archer Prewitt

2010-08-05T10:21:00.002+09:00

A recent collaboration between Archer and film, MORIO.
He did the artwork for the novelization of the film (book cover).
He wrote he was in Iowa when he did it, working on a porch overlooking a lake.
Archer will be on tour with the Sea and Cake very soon.

Jimmy Corrigan in stores

2010-06-23T21:53:00.004+09:00

gallery window CHRIS WARE MUSEUM, LIBRO BOOK STORE, PARCO, SHIBUYA, TOKYO

ORION-SHOBO BOOKS installment, TACHIKAWA, TOKYO

Jimmy Corrigan out NOW!

2010-06-17T14:12:00.001+09:00

Tower Records Shibuya Chris Ware installment.

Jimmy Corrigan Japanese Edition Poster

2010-06-09T17:22:00.003+09:00

We have made 24" x 35.4" poster from the slipcase drawing which is a new Jimmy Corrigan comic that Chris has made for the Japanese edition. Offset print, limited to 150 copies for sales. More info to come later.

MIZUKI every morning

2010-06-04T14:18:00.004+09:00

image taken from: Entame Tele Saishi Eiga Navi

Shigeru Mizuki, one of the greatest manga artist of Japan and his wife's story has been made into a TV drama series on national TV, NHK and is airing now. This is a prestigious and nationally viewed 15 minute drama series that air every day, almost 3 times a day, for half a year. Some of the series are bad and some are good, but Mizuki's drama, GEGEGE NO NYOUBOU is really GOOD stuff. Good because through his life, we get to see the "manga" world after the war and how it flourished into a giant entertainment industry supported by interesting characters and passionate editors and publishers. The drama is based on Mizuki's wife's book, so it's non-fiction and auto-biographical. Definitely recommended!

Jimmy Japanese edition Limited Slipcase

2010-05-31T14:38:00.004+09:00

Completely new and original comic of Jimmy Corrigan drawn by Chris Ware for our slipcase to contain all 3 volumes (limited to 300 sets) OR vol.2 & 3 (limited to 200 sets) of Jimmy Corrigan Japanese edition.
The comic is translated into Japanese.
Secret of Jimmy Corrigan Jr. revealed...........?!

Toshio Saeki solo show in NYC

2010-05-24T13:24:00.003+09:00

Our artist, Toshi Saeki's solo art show now running up until June 12th at John McWhinnie @ Glenn Horowitz Bookseller & Art Gallery

what the?!

2010-04-28T18:11:00.000+09:00

check this out

vinyl sample

2010-04-26T17:58:00.002+09:00

Arrived via fedex on Saturday from Hong Kong. Very nice!

Allen Ginsberg doll box set

2010-04-19T14:21:00.009+09:00

Hi everyone.
Our sculptor has been trying to figure out the correct standing position for Mr.Ginsberg, and now he is finally on his feet, firm and strong! Mold sample to come to us very soon, sorry to keep you waiting! Here are some sneak previews of what you can expect. Thank GAWD Archer finished the designs, finally........

BOX

CD JACKET

CD

And don't forget HOWL the movie, at theaters near you!

Jimmy Corrigan Japanese edition

2010-03-30T18:13:00.005+09:00

After 10 year since we started working on vol.1 of Chris Ware's " Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth," we are finally ready to release vol.2 and 3 of the Japanese edition.
All 3 volumes are originally designed by Chris.
We have also created a limited set of 500 that comes with a special slipcase that can contain the 3 volumes, which will be originally designed by Chris, also. He is working on the slipcase right now. We will post photo when it is finished.
This product will be made available to overseas customers, not just Japanese customers.
Vol.1

Vol.2

Vol.3

Of the 500, 300 sets will come with vol.1, 2, and 3.
And the rest 200 will come with just vol.2 and 3, for those who have already purchased vol.1
You can check and reserve your set here.

Both happy and sad that these days are over (re-edit, re-edit, and then re-edit again and again and AGAIN)

Thank you.....

NEW! sofboy tote!!

2010-03-23T14:36:00.004+09:00

100% Grade A Organic Cotton.
Limited to 200 pieces.
Available here.

HEEEE!! HAW HAW!!! LET'S START THE DAY!!!

Mr.Ginsberg!

2010-01-20T18:26:00.003+09:00

Under the hands of the best sculptor in Japan, Kei Hinotani, Mr.Ginsberg is starting to take shape gradually.
Peter from the Allen Ginsberg Estate is helping us greatly to work out the
details of the doll.
His signature glasses are very important for sure! Besides the glasses, the doll will come with many other accessories, which we will announce here very soon.
And be sure to check out, "Howl" the movie which
will premier at Sundance on January 22nd!

BOOK SALE AT PARCO, SHIBUYA....and much more!!

2009-12-29T13:03:00.003+09:00

PRESSPOP has some overseas imported art books for sale at LOGOS , the books store in the basement of Parco, Shibuya.
Up to 20-80% off, so please stop by if you have some time, there might be some hidden treasure books!

Please excuse us for long time of absence. Since we came back from NY art book fair, we've been busy working on the vol.2 and 3 of Jimmy Corrigan Japanese edition, which is alot of detailed work!

And I think I never posted here about our new book Saeki Toshio's Works in Music.
We also helped put together/designed new book, Onikage, by Saeki as well which will be published soon from Last Gasp.

Also, Presspop has started new label called TINY PERSON with focus on alternative creative lifestyles of women. Magazine about Japanese women creatives, SCHOOL and Susan Cianciolo's cook book is out from this label.

And Allen Ginsberg figurine designed by Archer Prewitt is on the way in the year 2010!

ARCHER PREWITT SIGNING IN NYC TODAY!!!

2009-10-03T19:47:00.002+09:00

He will be signing his new book work on paper at MOMA PS1 TODAY at 4PM at the PRESSPOP booth.

ARCHER PREWITT SIGNING AT NY ART BOOK FAIR

2009-09-14T15:21:00.003+09:00

hello everyone! another long absense......yes yes, very sorry about that.
we have been busy with many many exciting new projects. will update gradually about them.
but first today, i wanted to inform you that we'll be participating in the new york art book fair starting from Oct.2 running until Oct.4th. it will be at ps1 of MOMA. please come visit us at our table!
also archer prewitt will be coming in on Oct.3rd to have signing from 16:00 of his new book "work on paper"
more info on what we will be bringing to the fair to follow......!

tokyo art book fair

2009-07-07T14:33:00.003+09:00

we will be participating in the tokyo art book fair this weekend from
friday (10th) till sunday (12th). we will have special discount items so please come by, check out our booth and
say hello. see you soon!

THIS SATURDAY archer's signing at quimby's chicago

2009-06-17T15:04:00.005+09:00

this saturday (june 20th) from 7pm to 8pm, archer prewitt will be at quimby's store in chicago to sign his new book
"works on paper"
please stop by if you have a chance!

"works on paper" art exhibit

2009-05-22T19:36:00.006+09:00

nice may weather in tokyo, bike riding to work feels so good! I'm not wearing any surgical masks, no matter how much swine flu panic there is around here!!!!...........at least for now.

some news, an art exhibit of archer prewitt's "works on paper" will be held at NOW IDeA gallery/store in Aoyama, Tokyo.

the 3 letterpress prints made for the publication of the book will be shown/available for purchase (see below entry for images).

exhibit runs from May 26th to 31st
open 12:00 to 20:00
(close at 19:00 on the 31st)

if you're in the neighborhood, please stop by.

"works on paper" book and 3 letterpress prints can now be bought
HERE

archer's "works on paper"

2009-04-06T16:10:00.004+09:00

hello from tokyo where half the population is drunk under the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

we can now confirm that archer's book of minimal artwork will be dropped on may 09!

letterpress prints of some of the images from the book will be released as well.
each will be in limited edition of 30, signed and framed.
we will be selling them as print + book.
more info will be posted shortly.

gray field 379mm x 288mm

large dot field 3 379mm x 288mm

little bird 303mm x 242mm

takashi nemoto exhibit at trancepop

2009-04-01T17:53:00.002+09:00

king of japanese underground comic, nemoto's mind-blowing world explosion at trancepop gallery in kyoto!
celebrating his 3 new books coming out in a row.
runs from april 2nd to 19th. artist will be in presence on the 7th from 17-19 hours.
trancepop gallery
tel: 075-723-1780

pollen is everywhere

2009-03-18T16:33:00.003+09:00

we've been having super nice spring weather these past few days in tokyo, but once you step outside you must beware...of....
POLLEN. everyone is wearing surgical masks now. i tried today this new type made especially for people with glasses (for those of you who've never put on surgical masks with glasses, what happens is that your vision gets completely fogged up with your own contained nose/mouth breath). they seem to work.

capricious publishing

2009-03-10T14:19:00.005+09:00

another exciting addition to our distribution list.
we will be providing capricious, girls like us, and famous magazine to stores in japan.

http://www.becapricious.com/

look at this gigantic.....

2009-03-05T14:28:00.004+09:00

it's supposed to be the largest koi fish a man has ever caught at lake biwa (largest lake in japan).
it weighs 23 kgs. this is one proud man.

exhibit info at billiken, aoyama

2009-03-04T11:57:00.005+09:00

"dokidoki homogenized channel"
group exhibit of young artists from kyoto that our partner, yuji has put together.
from kitsch to cute and surrealistic.....collision and harmony of new talents.
runs through Feb.28th to Mar.11th, and March 14th to 29th.
billiken gallery, aoyama, tokyo: 03-3400-2214, 12:00 to 19:00, closed every monday.
there is also a great store of books and toys inside the gallery.

it's monday

2009-03-02T11:59:00.003+09:00

have a good week

charles harper's birds

2009-02-27T17:01:00.001+09:00

nice book!

inside of archer's book

2009-02-25T14:02:00.000+09:00

looks something like this.......

archer prewitt art book coming soon

2009-02-24T16:44:00.002+09:00

archer makes crazy and jolly sofboy comics, and he also makes beautiful and subtle minimal drawings which we have
collected into a book. printing now and coming soon.
(photo is just sample and end product may be different)

back from angouleme

2009-02-06T16:45:00.003+09:00

happy news.
shigeru mizuki has won another award this year, the heritage essential award for "soin gyokusai seyo (operation death)."
this is his account of his own experience as first degree soldier in ww2, fighting on an island in the south pacific.
it is an eye-opening story for everyone around the world, a chillingly realistic and dramatic story that portrays the meaninglessness and the tragedy of war. a monumental work by one of the masters of manga in Japan.
congratulations, mizuki-san, we hope this award will bring more people to read this classic. thus leading to subside all the spirits that have died in the war.

happy new year, this is the year of the "cow" in japan

2009-01-22T12:01:00.004+09:00

we will be in angouleme this year for the shigeru mizuki exhibit.
we do not have table but we will be around on the 29th and 30th.
if anyone would like to make appointment to meet, or just say hello, please write to:
info@presspop.com

LORBO SHIPPING NOW!!!

2008-12-18T15:57:00.003+09:00

aiming at true collaboration of jim woodring world and japanese traditional kaijin figure, we have worked on hundreds of kaijins to come up with this transdimensional stateless prodigy, LORBO, the 1st and most powerful (?) creature living in the world of skuuvuunuum!!!!!

available at skuuvuunuum store now:
http://www.skuuvuunuum.com/shop/toy.html

raymond scott "clavivox"

2008-11-11T16:57:00.003+09:00

i think it took us about 2 years to complete the raymond scott figure and yes, it was hard to get his face, color of the lips, crew cut etc. just right, but what was even more difficult was to get all the accruate features of the ORIGINAL clavivox model!!
since information and reference images were limited, we had to re-do the prototype model like 10 times. thanks to jeff winner of the raymond scott archives, we were finally able to come up with what we think is as close to the real thing as possible.....we hope you like it!!!!

mr.scott with original clavivox

obama

2008-11-06T16:26:00.003+09:00

people in OBAMA city, fukui prefecture, Japan, celebrate the birth of new american president.

new stuff!

2008-09-30T15:58:00.004+09:00

what? summer is over already? there were no fireworks, no shaved ice, no summer vacation for us here at presspop........
so what were we up to? working on these! introducing:
LORBO Kaijin doll, the first release from the SKUUVUUNUUM series by jim woodring. look for more info here:
http://www.skuuvuunuum.com/
Raymond Scott doll (celebrating his 100th anniversary) officially approved by the foundation. comes with fabric cloth jacket, mini clavivox (carefully designed to look as close to the ORIGINAL model as possible), and CD with 5 songs (powerhouse, the happy whister, and raymond scott demonstration of 1. clavivox 2.electronium 3.the rhythm modulator, 2 of the demonstration are previously unreleased super RARE material). this is the second of our inventor series desigend by archer prewitt.
coming soon this year in time for christmas!!!

wild style book in japanese

2008-07-23T15:49:00.002+09:00

i forgot to metion we released this book last month! it's the japanese version of charlie ahearn's wild style book where he talks about the making of the movie and promoting it worldwide. the book is softcover and comes with cover with print on both sides so you can enjoy 2 variations of cover design. if you want to read the english version, you should pick up the book from powerhouse!!!

the sea and cake new album

2008-07-17T15:16:00.002+09:00

"car alarm" will drop on October 21 from thrill jockey.
this album has kept archer forever from sending us the design for the raymond scott doll!!
but we hear it's really good and all the band members are really excited and fueled up for the release.
beautiful minimal album cover art by archer of course.

hey this is getting to be a monthly blog...sorry!

2008-07-03T23:21:00.003+09:00

We have decided on second production of Giant Sofboy! Please see below for info:

http://www.presspop.com/en/shop/archer_prewitt/giant_sofboy.html

jim's exhibit

2008-05-29T18:40:00.003+09:00

we had exhibit of jim at aoyama's billiken gallery to celebrate the released of the museum of love and mystery book. there were drawings from the book exhibited together with other beautiful art by jim!

museum of love and mystery

2008-04-16T14:28:00.003+09:00

here is the mock up of the book and one of the images. in may, we are having art exhibit of jim in our gallery in kyoto and
also another gallery in tokyo. book will be released at end of may and will be available to you from our web store!

Museum of Love and Mystery Book

2008-04-08T15:27:00.001+09:00

A word from Jim about the book:

"With THE MUSEUM OF LOVE AND MYSTERY I realized my longstanding desire to create a sort of souvenir album of Frank's visit to the free-form amusement park that exists on the outskirts of his country of origin, the Unifactor. Each drawing depicts Frank, usually accompanied by Pupshaw and Pushpaw, enjoying a specialized exhibit, ride or activity provided by the unseen agency that controls his world.

Viewers will see him trying his skill at highly specialized versions of midway games, visiting strange sea creatures in an underwater exhibit, travelling through a crazily ornate dark ride and experiencing a total breakdown of reality in the "Skuuvuunuum".

That THE MUSEUM OF LOVE AND MYSTERY has been produced in the form of a board book gives it exactly the right shape, size and heft to fulfill its intended function in the world, which is to serve as a cozy art object for all ages. It is my fervent hope that parents and their children will make this book the nucleus of homespun storytelling sessions that will bring the fruits of their imaginations into the world of Frank."

announcing new jim woodring book!!!!

2008-04-04T18:10:00.002+09:00

this blog is beginning to be a monthly thing....sorry....
so we were very busy working on the 2 new books that will be released in may. just got them to the printer..phew.
one of them is the the japanese version of the wild style the sampler book by charlie ahearn. this is the book about the
lengendary hip-hop/graffiti/ break dance movie, wild style.
and the other book is new cardboard picture book by jim woodring: MUSEUM OF LOVE AND MYSTERY
there are 13 NEW colorful Frank drawings by Jim and the front cover has GLOW-IN-THE-DARK printing!
More info coming soon.......

tokyo spring

2008-03-02T22:47:00.002+09:00

it's getting warmer here. yellow sand from china is blowing this way and is said to cover tokyo tomorrow....
so i am now still busy working on the wild style book japanese version. also, we are now working on the raymond scott figurine as second of the series following the bob moog doll. this is to celebrate the 100 years from his birth. archer is designing the figurine plus box. he is doing a time line of the great accomplishments of mr.scott, the great musician/ inventor for the box art and it will look amazing. and also we have 2 new projects with jim woodring to be announced very soon!
(photo: this house needs to trim their tree)

snow in tokyo

2008-02-04T18:45:00.000+09:00

it snowed quite a bit yesterday in tokyo. we don't get much of it as we used to so people seemed very excited.
i stayed in my house and watched dvd of "Wild Style 25th Anniversary Edition" from Rhino. presspop will be releasing the
Wild Style book in Japanese this year and also other Charlie Ahearn films as box set. i'm translating the book so really building up my vocab on the hip hop/graffitti street language....YO ZORO MY MAN!!!!!!!
whatever the theme, stories of the "real" thing and the "real originators" always blow me away.

attached is yomiuri newspaper article out a few weeks ago. please see red book in the bottom right hand corner. manga/cartoon critic chose the jimmy corrigan japanese edition we put out as one of the best 3 works published in 07. yay. congratulations chris.

Happy New Year 2008

2008-01-07T19:28:00.000+09:00

ooops! sorry for long break....

2007-12-18T16:13:00.000+09:00

archer and sam were here in tokyo with the sea and cake! their show really rocked the house and sofboy made it into japan just in time to meet his creator....!!
after the shows, we went to onsen (hot spring) together with archer and sam. the onsen was in yudanaka-shibu of nagano prefecture and we stayed at a ryokan (japanaese hotel) that is said to be the model of the onsen building in the movie, "spirited away" (miyazaki). at first, archer and sam were afraid to go into the bath but by the time we were leaving, we couldn't get them out of the water!!!!!!......not quite, but we think they enjoyed it, right guys?

sam's book signing this sat. in chicago

2007-11-13T16:05:00.000+09:00

sam prekop will be at QUIMBY'S on Nov.17th (Sat.) at 7PM to sign his new book: "Photographs"
he just got back from his sea and cake europe tour, please stop by to say hello to him.

king joe

2007-11-02T19:32:00.001+09:00

we asked joe to autograph 100 of the singles going steady books but it was taking him forever to finish.
no wonder.....

new books have arrived!!

2007-10-16T17:09:00.000+09:00

King Joe's SINGLES GOING STEADY
and
Sam Prekop's PHOTOGRAPHS
RESERVE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

back from NYC

2007-10-11T15:00:00.000+09:00

Art Book Fair was really fun and hot! HOT literally because of the unusual Indian summer weather and the lack of air-conditioning at the DIA center. But really, we met many interesting independant publishers and artists, and many people who seemed to know about us and our products, that it really energized us and gave us inspiration. Our 2 new books, Sam Prekop's "Photographs" and King Joe's "Singles Going Steady" were very well received, and unlike the Japanese people, US people really show their honest feelings and reactions (which is a great virtue) so this was very interesting for us. Sam showed up on the 29th for a book signing and then on the same night, The Sea and Cake were playing in Brooklyn at a club called Warsaw so we went and had a great time. One of the opening band, Antietam gave an awesome performance and we became fans. Besides being at the fair, we got to do many fun things like going out for lunch with Charlie Ahearn (director of Wild Style), going to visit Glenn O'Brien at his home and play with his little puppy, and going out to have the best pizza with James and Amy. And we had ramen for the first time in NYC at this place called Momofugi but.....it was not ramen.....We heard Setagaya ramen opened in east village, so next time, we want to try that. Hopefully, it's as good as what we get in Tokyo.

new york art book fair 07

2007-09-13T17:39:00.000+09:00

art fair will be from sept.28th to 30th. sam's singing on the 29th from 2pm.
we will have booth with lots of rare goodies so please come visit us!!!!

letterpress print for the box!

2007-08-28T21:54:00.000+09:00

We just received today the letterpress print poster that Archer's friend, Jeff has printed for us in Chicago. It looks amazing!
The prints will each be signed and numbered to be glued carefully onto one side of the box of Giant Sof'Boy.
Hmmmm....very naaaaaaice!!!

sooooo hot here

2007-08-21T22:43:00.000+09:00

look at the mold of sofboy's hand.

hello hello

2007-08-17T21:53:00.001+09:00

sorry for the long break, while everyone else in Japan was on OBON summer holiday we were working away like mad on the 2 books we are about to release: sam prekop's "photographs" and king joe (japan's mingering mike)'s "singles going steady." we finally turned in both books to the printer this week....phew! i'll tell you more about both books soon.
and today, archer wrote to us saying that the letterpress prints for the giant sofboy box is done! yes, we are going to have these hand printed beautiful prints each signed and numbered by archer to paste onto the box of sofboy.
and you must have noticed but we put up the information on how to order him
HERE
please enjoy this little animation of him we made. sofboy hanging around in kichijyoji, tokyo!

fujirock

2007-07-28T23:12:00.001+09:00

we just came back from fujirock at beautiful mountain naeba area. went there to see friends perform. no rain!
just the summer sun, cool breeze and music, lots of music. i saw 3 people wearing sofboy Tshirt and 1 cute girl in Jim's.
i wanted to go up to them and shake their hand but managed to control myself.
Noooow, back to work. sofboy info coming up next week!

GIANT SOFBOY! 24 inches!

2007-07-24T00:09:00.001+09:00

thanks for all your inquiries and patience with us. we will soon upload ordering info for the first 70 figures.

back from hong kong

2007-07-16T21:16:00.001+09:00

reports coming up gradually...it was so hot...

today's sweets 10

2007-06-27T22:56:00.000+09:00

"fu-manju": wheat gluten mochi with sweet red bean inside. very healthy and chewy. comes wrapped in bamboo leaf. popular summer mochi (rice cake). great with ice-cold wheat tea!