On June 14th in Los Angeles, Galo aka Make One STN presents the Karan Koron show. We caught up with him to get the low down on the show concept, and his thoughts on Los Angeles art scene.

Frank151: What is the concept behind the Karan Koron show?
Make One: The main idea of the show is an attempt to combine the eastern, western
and modern day world of artistry. It is also an attempt to bring to light the richness and beauty of Japanese craftmanship.
Frank151: What is the concept behind the Karan Koron show?
Make One: The main idea of the show is an attempt to combine the eastern, western
and modern day world of artistry. It is also an attempt to bring to light the richness and beauty of Japanese craftmanship. I was told by a wise Japanese artist that all Japanese craftmanship has a spiritual tie or relation to and I wanted to also bring that element with the show. As noted on the press release, I also believe too often stereotypes are perpetuated through the wrongful appropriation of cultural images, language, icons, art
forms, music and identities. With Karan Koron, I seek to preserve, promote and educate the general public about traditional Japanese culture, art, craftmanship and its true beauty. All while adding my own distinctive LoveGalo flavor to it.

F151: Is this the first show that you have curated?
MO: Naw. I have curated several other shows and guest curated other shows as
well. I haven’t curated a show in a while. But I got the bug again with this
one. Hopefully you will see more shows curated by me. I have forgotten how
much I enjoy curating.

F151: What is your approach to curating a show?
MO: Have complete control of everything. (laughs) I am very controling when it
comes to working on pojects or shows. Often times when they are not even
mine. My approach is often aggressive and filled with tenacity. If there is
something or someone I want in the show, I do almost anything possible to
get it. I also work hard to incorporate elements that are completely
relevant to the show. It’s not just a bunch of artists in a group show.
Every aspect surrounding the show is carefully thought out.

F151: How did you choose the artists that are participating in the show?
MO: Well technically, I only had 3 months to put the show together and I
needed artists right? So I mainly asked mostly my friends and friends of
friends and so on. Others I found through links and their links and their
links etc. Doing a lot of research on some. Some were invited purely cause I
like their art. The show was initially only going to be 40-50 artists and
even though some dropped out of the show along the way, the show has now
grown to nearly 90 amazing artists.

F151: How is the art scene in Los Angeles these days?
MO: It’s stil hot. It is definitely thriving as it has for a long time. Yes
some shows are over done and some artists are jaded and everyone wants to be
an artist or a gallery owner but I think it is still fresh and hot. I
believe, as in anything else, the true hearted remain even when it simmers
down a bit or it appears to die.

F151: What would you personally like to see more of?
MO: More conceptually thought out shows. More shows curated by Me!!

F151: What would you like to see less of?
MO: As funny or as ironic as it may sound - less groups shows with a subject
or object to paint on. I personally believe there has been waaaaay too many
done but to me they all have seemed to lack something. I guess maybe that is
why it’s quickly become old. There has been some good ones but they still
seem to fall short. So that is why I needed to step in and do it. (laughs)

F151: What are some of the future projects you’re working on?
MO: I am working on my solo show in Yokohama, Japan at Garou Garou Gallery
www.garougarou.com -It is the first show of it’s kind it that gallery. I’ll
possibly be curating a show in Mexico in late November. I am also working
for a show with Tagur in July at KGB Gallery. And I am also brainstorming a
conceptual idea for a Mexican/Hispanic themed group show. I have to do
something for my peeps, something that brings me to my roots

F151: Anything else you would like to share with the readers?
MO: Yeah man…quickly…come out to Karan Koron at Melt Gallery June 14,
2007. Come and enjoy some amazing art, some great sake, great drinks, great
music, geat performances and most of all great people. For more information
please visit www.meltcomics.com - I’d like to thank all the artists in the
show. Thank all the sponsors in the show: Yaegaki Sake, Asahi Beer, Calpico
drinks, Popkiller, Routes and so on - Thanks to Francisco, his son Nathan,
Hisami, Gaston, and all the staff at Melt Gallery. And last but not least,
I’d like to thank Frank 151 for always supporting.

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