NMA (Next Media Animation) is a Taiwanese entity that creates humorous CGI-animated re-enactments of recent news stories. Today they cover “Facebook artist” David Choe’s New York media blitz.

Click here to view the embedded video.

© 2012 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, nma, videos

We are sure you all now about David Choe and what went on with his shares of Facebook stock he received back in 2005 for painting the social network’s offices. In case you missed that news, it turns out his stocks are now valued at 200 million US dollars. Barbara Walters linked up with the artist to talk about the deal in this clip on Youtube (ABC is not allowing embedding, so click the link here). While hanging with the artist, Walters also took a moment to get up with a spray paint can. (Source: TheWorldsBestEver)

© 2012 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: nickestrada | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, barbara walters, David Choe, facebook

Here above you see a print that artist David Choe produced for Howard Stern. It will go on sale soon with all proceeds going to charity. Now let’s get to the real news though. After the news came out that David Choe was paid in Facebook stock in 2005, for painting murals at the then startup’s office, and with the upcoming Facebook IPO around the corner, everybody was of course eager to hear what the artist had to say when coming on Howard Stern’s radio show yesterday. Some interesting things about the 4th richest living artist came out in the lengthy interview.

Listen to all the sequences here below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

More after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of Listen to David Choe’s Interview on Howard Stern

© 2012 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, facebook, howard stern, radio

Last week we reported about David Choe being paid in 2005 in stock by Facebook, for painting murals in their offices. That stock might become worth 200 Million USD, after Facebook’s IPO and official stock market listing. Complex took a look at the richest living artists, and it is interesting to see where Choe ranks in there now.

Here is the complete list:

1. Damien Hirst – 1 Billion USD
2. Jeff Koons – 500 Million USD
3. Jasper Johns – 300 Million USD
4. David Choe – 200 Million USD
5. Andre Vicari – 142 Million USD
6. Takashi Murakami – 100 Million USD
7. Anish Kapoor – 85 Million USD
8. Antony Gormley – 50 Million USD
9. Gerhard Richter – 40 Million USD
10. David Hockney – 40 Million USD
11. Cindy Sherman – 35 Million USD
12. Richard Prince – 30 Million USD
13. Andreas Gursky – 30 Million USD
14. Chuck Close – 25 Million USD
15. Georg Baselitz – 25 Million USD

For background on each one of the artists, check the full article over at Complex.

© 2012 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 8 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, artists, damien hirst, David Choe

In 2005 artist David Choe, whom we often report about here on Highsnobiety, was asked by Facebook to paint their headquarters at the time. With the filing for IPO by Facebook, it turns out that painting the offices of the then Internet start-up, will make him one of the richest living artists one day.

This week Facebook announced that they will be going public in the near future. Along with the filing, they had to reveal the current ownership state of the company. In 2005 David Choe chose to be paid in stock rather than cash and it looks like that stock will be worth 200 Million USD, if Facebook will be valued on the open stock market at the estimated 100 Billion Dollar mark.

“In 2005, Mr. Choe was invited to paint murals on the walls of Facebook’s first offices in Palo Alto, Calif., by Sean Parker, then Facebook’s president. As pay, Mr. Parker offered Mr. Choe a choice between cash in the “thousands of dollars,” according to several people who know Mr. Choe, or stock then worth about the same.

Mr. Choe, who has said that at the time that he thought the idea of Facebook was “ridiculous and pointless,” nevertheless chose the stock.

Many “advisers” to the company at that time, which is how Mr. Choe would have been classified, would have received about 0.1 to 0.25 percent of the company, according to a former Facebook employee. That may sound like a paltry amount, but a stake that size is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, based on a market value of $100 billion. Mr. Choe’s payment is valued at roughly $200 million, according to a number of people who know Mr. Choe and Facebook executives.”

You can read the full New York Times article on what happened here.

© 2012 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, facebook

For the new Giant Robot curated “Zen Garage” Exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles, artist David Choe painted an entire Scion Monster Truck. The exhibition opened 2 days ago and will run until February 13th.

Take a further look at the truck after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of David Choe Monster Truck at JANM “Zen Garage” Exhibition

© 2011 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, Cars, David Choe

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a behind the scenes look at the making of the David Choe Machete poster seen here. Machete hits theaters Friday!

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, danny trejo, David Choe, machete, videos

We already showed you Danny Trejo lowriding together with Mister Cartoon last week. In other Machete related news, we can preview today the art by David Choe and Mister Cartoon created exclusively for the film.

“SA Studios selected world-renowned artist David Choe to contribute an original piece to the promotion for the upcoming film, Machete (releasing this Friday, September 3rd). Choe’s unique spin on the film’s poster features his infamous art bubbles that has a life of its own. Inspired by the iconic face of Machete star, Danny Trejo, Choe’s contribution is a stunning blend of the artist’s unmistakable personal style that we all know and love.

In addition, infamous tattoo artist/muralist Mister Cartoon also contributed brilliant Machete-inspired artwork in tribute to their longtime friend, Danny Trejo.”

Check out the other work of the two artists for Machete after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of David Choe and Mister Cartoon Art for Machete

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, Film, machete, mister cartoon

Upper Playground has teamed up with Japan’s Good Smile Company to become the official distributor for David Choe’s “Munko” Vinyl Figures. The “Munko” line of figures comes in three unique sculpts: Munko, Munkosaur, and Munkette. Munko, is offered in 3 colors and 2 extremely realistic textures. Munkosaur comes in 3 color ways with one in a concrete texture. And Munkette comes in 3 unique color ways. The figures are available in a set of all 12 toys and individually by blind-box. Now available through UP.

Detailed images of the “Munko” toys follow after the click.

(...)
Read the rest of David Choe x Good Smile Company “Munko” Figures

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: David Choe, good smile company, upper playground

Rad Collector puts us onto David Choe’s limited-edition Hammerhead Decks released through Giant Robot. Both “Untitled Portrait” and “Ignored Prayers” are limited to 50 pieces each and are now available here.

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, Skateboarding

The much anticipated new David Choe exhibition, “Nothing to Declare”, opened its doors on April 23rd at Lazarides Gallery in Los Angeles.

“Driven by an unquenchable thirst for life, Choe saps every possible drop of experience – good or bad – out of his remarkable adventures. From incarceration in a Tokyo jail to hitchhiking down the Mississippi River via paddleboat, freight train hopping city to city and hunting for dinosaurs in the Congo jungle, David weaves these encounters into his work projecting a dramatic and fantastical, often sexually explicit, vision of the world he so lustfully inhabits.

Choe sculpts and paints in oils, acrylics, crayon and mixed media. His credibility as an ‘artist’, albeit one inclined to utilise public spaces every so often, is hardly in doubt. Influences flow through comic book culture to gothic art, impressionism and the surreal. The content of Choe’s work is equally complex and in contrast to the slick, succinct, populist messages of some of his contemporaries. The fictional military heroes of GI Joe wield boomboxes above Arabic slogans; hip young metropolitan ladies whisper their cruel conspiracies; seedy delights beckon from behind pretty vistas; grown men scream for ice cream; absurdist animals rope humans into their incomprehensible schemes. On the street, base titillating yet supposedly ‘tasteful’ advertising becomes doctored with intestines and tribal fetishes, echoing the sensual abyss of de Sade. Pictures titles include I Fuck Nerds. Equally, Choe’s figurative and collage work displays sensitivity and intricacy rarely matched by Manhattan’s girly fashion illustrator set. We should be grateful, not offended, by the insights into Choe’s potent imagination and agenda; and the alluring, intricate slag smelted from its process of reconciliation.”

In this new exhibition the artist shows a very impressive line-up of new works. Included are sculptures, paintings and much more. The large space of the gallery is entirely dedicated to his new body of work.

Lazarides in Los Angeles
320 North Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

The exhibition is open until May 23rd. Luckily Brandon Shigeta passed by the exhibition and documents it in detail.

Many images from the David Choe “Nothing to Declare” exhibition follow after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of David Choe “Nothing To Declare” Exhibition at Lazarides – Exhibition Recap

© 2010 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Art, David Choe, lazarides gallery

The July Upper Playground New Era 59FIFTY hats feature the artwork of David Choe and Upper Playground. David Choe is well known for lots of things, one of them being his notorious whales, so it’s only fitting that Mr. Choe’s cap features his signature whales embroidered all over the hat. The Upper Playground Logo Mesh Fitted blends the breathability and comfort into a hat perfect for warmer weather. Both hats are available at Upper Playground stores and on the Upper Playground Web Store.

Have a closer look at the Upper Playground July 2009 New Era Caps after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of Upper Playground July 2009 New Era Caps

© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: Pete Williams | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Caps, David Choe, new era, upper playground

Abraham Obama is a humorous and provocative look at an unprecedented political art movement. A campaign to change the visual landscape of America yields a new President, and ushers in a new collective consciousness for Americas people.

Famous street artist Ron English gathers a crew of professional pranksters and hits the road on a grass-roots campaign to make public art and promote Obamas campaign for the Presidency. Abraham Obama takes us on an unforgettable ride as the stories of Ron English unfold alongside musicians and artists such as Shepard Fairey, Jack Medicine, David Choe, Sam Flores, The Date Farmers, Will.I.Am, Morgan Spurlock, DJ Z-Trip and several others.

Directed by Kevin Chapados, and Produced by Daniel Lahoda and Ron English, the Abraham Obama DVD is now available and goes for 20 USD.

© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: David Choe, dvd, Movies, Ron English, Shepard Fairey

The Upper Playground April series of New Era caps includes two new styles – one featuring the art of David Choe, and the other a variation of the UP logo. The David Choe Mural hat features a sublimated print of various David Choe illustrations on satin. The sublimation print technique allows for the fine lines and shading of Choe’s drawing to really come through – no details are lost.

The second April release features the “Walrus Crowd” graphic that features a gang of walruses. The art is embroidered all over the hat in regal purple. The hat is fully lined and features a matching purple under-brim.

Have a detailed look at both caps after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of Upper Playground April 2009 New Era Caps

© 2009 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: Caps, David Choe, new era, uppler playground

Never not working is a pretty apt description of the folks over at Upper Playground. With a seemingly endless array of product, their stable of artists tag everything from t-shirts to home wares. It’s the latter where Upper Playground produces the most interest. With limited options for those looking for smart graphics for more decorative purchases, Upper Playground fills a noticeable void. Pillows are just one example. Artists Sam Flores, David Choe and Morning Breath add their touches to the latest release. Pillows are 20 x 20, with removable, washable cases.

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: nschon | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: David Choe, morning breath, pillows, sam flores, upperplayground

Continuing their celebrations for their 5th anniversary, The Hundreds will be releasing tomorrow, October 30th, a t-shirt artist series, designed by artists that have been close to the brand for years. Artists include Robbie Conal, Tofer, MR44, David Choe, and Usugrow.

The Hundreds 5th Artist Series will only be released at the flagship stores in LA and SF.

Detailed images of all five t-shirts follow after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of The Hundreds 5th Artist Series

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: David Choe, mr44, t-shirts, The Hundreds, tofer, usugrow

Fine artist David Choe is the latest artist to partner with Upper Playground to produce not one, but TWO Barack Obama prints. Choe has designed and produced apparel, adidas sneakers, comic books, movie posters, album covers, fine art books and toys, among many other projects.

David Choe’s Barack Obama posters are part of an ongoing series from Upper Playground of artist collaborations in support of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. Upper Playground has endorsed Obama’s campaign by creating posters featuring artwork from Grotesk, The Date Farmers, Munk One, Ron English, Alex Pardee, Morning Breath, Mac, Sam Flores and Mear One, in addition to printing T-shirts with Shepard Fairey’s Obama graphics to help support the campaign.

There were 200 prints made that are signed and numbered of each design, and each poster retails for $200. The limited-edition 18"X24" prints are available exclusively online. All proceeds from the sales of the posters will go directly to creating more campaign t-shirts, posters, and stickers by other artists in support of Obama’s bid for President.

In additional news, Upper Playground is partnering with Shepard Fairey, MoveOn.org and Evolutionary Media Group on a special exhibit at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. The Manifest Hope Gallery (www.manifesthope.com) will showcase both established and emerging artists and present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States’ top artists.

Featured artists at the exhibit will include Shepard Fairey and many of the artists that have designed Obama posters via Upper Playground including Sam Flores, Mac, Ron English, David Choe, The Date Farmers, and Justin Bua (his print will be available soon). Other artists include Chris Pastras, Mel Kadel, Todd Lockwood, Maya Hayuk, Cathie Bleck, CRO (Go Tell Mama), Evan Hecox, Lukas Ketner, Gary Baseman, Scot Lefavor, Lisa Congdon, Amy Martin, and many more.  Resident DJ Jeremy Sole will on hand all week to inspire music inside the art galleries.

Check the full David Choe posters after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of New Obama Prints From David Choe And Upper Playground

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: David Choe, highsnobiety, Obama, Prints, upper playground

This Thursday, July 24th, Upper Playground will release the new David Choe adidas Originals sneaker. The Stan Smith shoe is the second release in the four-part series that also includes designs from Herbert Baglione, Aesop Rock, and Sam Flores.

Los Angeles native David Choe is a muralist and graphic artist. He has designed and produced apparel, comic books, movie posters, album covers, fine art books and toys, among many other projects. Choe has collaborated with companies such as Electronic Arts, Levi’s, Sony Pictures and now adidas.
Choe is currently the star of a feature documentary on his life called Dirty Hands. The film documents Choe, a young near-schizophrenic street artist that devises numerous criminal schemes that allow him to hitchhike across the globe.

There are only 500 pairs of the Choe sneaker available worldwide. Sizes range from men’s size 4 to 13.5. To pick up your fresh pair of David Choe Stan Smith sneakers, visit www.upperplayground.com or head to a UP retail store. The sneaker will go on sale online at 8 am PT on Thursday, July 24, 2008.
More detailed images after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of David Choe x Upper Playground x Adidas Originals Stan Smith

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: adidas originals, David Choe, footwear, highsnobiety, Sneakers, stan smith, upper playground

Adidas and Upper Playground got together to work on a series of sneakers under the titel – “You Ain’t Got to Lie to Kick It”.
So far they have revealed three sneakers out of the collection. These have been designed by David Choe, Sam Flores and Aesop Rock. There will be one more to complete the series. That we will show you as soon as possible. There is no set release date so far, but we’ll keep you posted on the project.
Until then check out the first three after the jump.

(...)
Read the rest of Adidas x Upper Playground Collection

© 2008 Highsnobiety for Titel Media. Author: David Fischer | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us | %%sharethis_link%%
Post tags: adidas, aesop rock, Art, artists, collaboration, David Choe, footwear, highsnobiety, sam flores, Shoes, Sneakers, trainers, upper playground