8-bit and Beyond

First we have an 8-bit art show.  If you don’t know what that means think fine art crossed with Mario, Q-bert, Zelda, etc. I’ve been reading about shows like this out on the left coast for a while and I’m glad we’ve got something to compete.  This is the kind of art that uh…speaks to me.

(Totally unrelated circuit-bent Speak and Spell video below)

The show is going to be in Old City at Brave New Worlds, one of our fine city’s finest comical book shops.
Friday, August 7th
6-10 PM
45 N. 2nd Street Philadelphia, Pa.
The Autumn Society Of Philadelphia: 8 bit and beyond.

Sneaker Pimps

Next we have the infamous Sneaker Pimps touring sneaker festival. From their site:

Sneaker Pimps is the worlds largest touring sneaker hip-hop lifestyle exhibition featuring over 1500 pairs of rare, limited edition, vintage, celebrity signed, artists collaborated sneakers and a collection of sneaker inspired artwork, fashion and photography. The tour also features live street art installations, live skateboarding demonstrations, street basketball competitions and live hip-hop and rock performances by some of the world’s foremost recording artists.

The Sneaker Pimps Tour was founded in Sydney, Australia by Peter Fahey and has traveled to more than 60 cities world-wide and put on over 200 shows since 2003.

(Totally related video from the NYC show below)

Starlight Ballroom
460 N 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Sneaker Pimps.

Star Trek Exhibit at the Franklin

Finally there’s the Star Trek exhibit at the Franklin. Not much I can say about this other than I feel obligated to go because of my sister and Karen’s brother. But I can be a man and admit that I like TNG and the movies. I’m just mad that my sis taped over my VHS tapes of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse with TNG. Here’s another blockquote for you because I’m lazy:

STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION features the world’s most comprehensive collection of authentic Star Trek objects and transports visitors into parallel universes of the future and past. This 12,500 foot exhibition, an amalgamation of all five television and ten film series spanning over 40 years, is the ultimate opportunity to connect with iconic Star Trek moments and characters, while celebrating the creative spirit of science fiction and science that gave rise to many of today’s modern marvels. From the Next Generation Bridge, to the Engine Room, to sitting in Kirk’s original captain’s chair, STAR TREK: THE EXHIBITION not only relives the legacy but invites you to be a part of the Enterprise!

(Somewhat related Shatner on the Mount video below)

Franklin Institute
20 Philadelphia St
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Star Trek at The Franklin Institute.

When I first moved to Philly I noticed that the street art scene was mostly relegated to stickers.  I figure this may be because we have so many historic old buildings and local artists had the respect to not mess them up.  It could also be because we don’t have a very active transit system.  Either way it leads to a fun game of hide and seek.  Artists throw their work up on the back of signs, on the sides of newspaper boxes, and in the hidden spots that you only find if you’re really looking.

My two faves are El Toro and Bob Will Reign.  Great character design, always changing it up, and all over town. Frost (El Toro) – Bob Will Reign

So, obviously, I found his stuff on flickr.com one day.  Browsing through I found and decided to buy it.  We met briefly, I handed over some cash and the painting was mine!  It’s been up in my place for the last couple of years.  Time passes…

I started brewing beer and had the idea that El Toro could make me some labels for my brew, just for kicks. A painting called El Borracho seemed perfect. And so El Borracho Homebrew was born. We drank it all very quickly and called it good. Our girlfriends met and seemed to get along very well. Again we called it good.

Fast forward again and I’m up in Chinatown one day when I spot (the ducks are fake). I was driving and couldn’t stop but food and and sneakers are a holy union for me. See Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C and oh, I guess most of this blog.

When I finally got back to the shop I was beyond impressed. Killer design and a fun setup. I introduced myself to the guys and mentioned in passing that they should have an art show with El Toro. To make a long story short I told Frost, he went over, introduced himself to , and last night the whole thing went down in great form. I had a few cases of homebrew lemongrass wheat beer with a Frost-designed label. They were “free gifts” to go along with the purchase of a can. The show was a big success and the art will be up for the next month, so get over there if you’re in the area! I’m guessing the t-shirts are all sold out (but Karen and I got ours!).

[flickr matt.ohara 72157607556729419]

I was up in Chinatown a few weeks back getting some grub on a Sunday. While looking for a parking space I passed a shop window so gorgeous I did a doubletake. Sneakers and Peking ducks hanging side-by-side! Just today I rode my bike back to take a look inside and I’m glad I did.The shop opened up six weeks ago and I’m pissed that I missed the opening. These guys are super-nice and obviously know everything there is to know about the streetwear scene. I don’t know jack about anything except Adidas (they informed me that Nike is on the verge of buying Adidas) but these two are all up in it. Ky Cao, the co-founder along with Jackson Fu, showed me a pair of ultra-limited Bodega Pumps that they’re sitting on for the time being. They have a whole bunch. These guys are sick!

Just like Afficial and WTHN it’s mostly Nike and BAPE, but they have clothing and vinyl toys too. My favorite part of the shop is the design sensibility. Take a look at the pics and notice the Donkey-Kong display, the Peking duck display, the restaurant setup for the clothes and the walk-in fridge setup for the changing room. Glad to see a couple of young guys put together something so slick and be doing something they obviously love.

abakus official site
blog (tons of fun photos)
Sneakers in Philly Google Map
Full Slideshow after the break:

[flickr matt.ohara 72157605452514947]

I have to say that, for its size, Philly has a varied and well-stocked set of sneaker stores. I’ve rounded up a selection of my favorites, along with a map and some commentary on each. Hit the link below for the goods.

[flickr matt.ohara 72157605452514947]

The first stop is South Street. There’s a lot of footwear goodness to be had here. There are two places that will airbrush Biggie or Bob Marley or Elmo onto your sneakers. There’s bunches of clothing stores that sell sneakers. And there are plenty of exclusive sneaker stores.

Between 5th and 6th you’ll find Samsun, Olympia, Afficial and The Adidas Store. Samsun is a nice shop and all about sneakers. You will find sneakers and only sneakers there. The help is not extremely helpful but the sneakers are displayed on the walls by brand and I’ve found Lavers here for 40$ so there are some good finds. Olympia is practically right next door and they’ve got some great deals too. There’s always some deal going on where you get two pairs for about 70 bucks, so look for the ones with the round stickers on them. They get a lot of the Adidas Originals a month after the official store has them and Olympia’s prices are always much better. They also have a nice selection of branded clothing. These are both serious shops where you can find some great deals.

Afficial is on 5th between South and Bainbridge. It’s a tiny little hole in the wall that stocks almost exclusively Nike and BAPE, so it’s not really my thing but I dig it nonetheless. You will get your Nike exclusive rocks off here and if you’re into patent leather then you’ll love the BAPEs (I only like patent leather when it’s on my Adidas). They also stock some laces and some clothing. So hip it’s almost a knee.
LINK to MySpace page (sorry, can’t find an official site) LINK to article

The official Adidas store on a weird little block right between Passyunk and 5th. Cool little building. Rather than going off on a long rant about how despite being an official store they never seem to have the exclusive stuff they say they’re supposed to (always the one pair I’m looking for that they never have) and how it’s lame that you’re not allowed to take photos in the store, I’ll just let the photos spell it out. It’s a fun store and the staff is very helpful. They once had to order a pair from the NYC store for me. DJs play on the weekends as well. I love seeing the exclusive and new goods and I’ve bought a lot there, but like I said most of the stuff can be found in Olympia a bit later.
LINK to crappy, slow-loading flash site

There are a couple of other shops in the area that have sneakers but I’m going to skip up to WTHN. This is really a shop that you would expect to find in NYC so it’s fresh to have it letting it all hang out in Philly. They have vinyl toys, books, clothing and sneaks. It’s street fashion with design sensibility and a playstation by the front window. I would hang out here if I lived up in Olde City. Owned and operated by a dude who used to work at UBIQ. I will try to get back in here for more pics.
LINK to official site LINK to article

Speaking of UBIQ, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it. It’s in the ritzy shopping area that’s Walnut Street west of Broad. It’s another hip joint mostly filled with Nikes but has also a whole floor filled with Vans. Again not my thing but Respect Due. Just a couple of doors down from the Puma shop too (Adi Dassler’s brother’s brand). Check out the cool displays, the mini-sneakers and the giant pair of vans in the pictures above.

I’m sure there are a couple of hot spots that I missed so if anybody has any recommendations please leave them in the comments. Oh and there are two other Samsuns. One’s on 17th and Chestnut and one’s on 12 and Chestnut. 12th and Chestnut also has some sneaker-hunting. Check out the MAP!