(un)Glorious Basterd

Last night's East West Players Annual Visionary Awards were presented at the Universal Hilton and among the awardees in attendance was artist and musician Mike Shinoda. Ever since his Glorious Excess
(Dies) exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum here in LA, I became more a champion of his artistic work than his creative work as
a musician in the band Linkin Park.



(above photo taken from www.mikeshinoda.com)

Inspired mostly by his conceptual approach to his latest exhibit (Dies) rather than the work itself, I was more attracted to the notion that excess and this idea of "consumer addiction" can grab hold of a society and drive it in a direction that could lead to corruption. It's perhaps one of the hardest topics to illustrate and translate on the canvas, but Shinoda does so with the ease of a brush stroke, almost like the strumming of his guitar.





I took personal note of the way I approached art and design as a
profession because I found myself more inclined to create art on the basis of industry "standard" and what is considered acceptable.
Further investigation of this led me to the conclusion that what is thought acceptable doesn't necessarily become accessible; art should be for the masses otherwise what good does it do?

In his acceptance speech last night, his humility took front seat as Shinoda almost looked uncomfortable to be in the presence of the men and women dressed in suits and gowns - he often gave recognition to them throughout his speech. Art definitely imitating Life. A true artist.




Thanks Mike for sharing your words with me before the reception began and I look forward to seeing more work from you.