Jeff Ho Zephyr Prints By Shepard Fairey Release

Shepard Fairey and Glen Friedman are releasing another print featuring a skate boarding legend, Jeff Ho. 

Some background from Shep:

“I learned about Jeff Ho probably in the same way many skaters who came up in the 80’s did… I found out that key skate industry players like Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta were skaters on Jeff’s Zephyr team. A decade later some of Jeff’s team riders were flourishing, but as some things happen, the creative upstarts who pioneer a movement are often ahead of the curve and don’t reap the financial benefits or recognition that should come when culture finally catches up to the movement. I was very happy to see a bit of Jeff’s story told in the “Dogtown and Z-Boys” documentary and in Glen E. Friedman and Craig Stecyk’s “DogTown: The Legend of Z-Boys” book. I met Jeff at one of the Dogtown book signings in 2002, and he was nice, but reserved. I was honored to see Jeff at a few of my art shows over the years, but I had a bit of trouble reading him because he’s contemplative, subdued, and even a little intimidating. When Glen E. Friedman asked about doing a print of Jeff Ho, I was concerned that Jeff might not approve of me illustrating him, but Glen can be very persuasive, so I guess he convinced Jeff the collaboration was a good idea. I always enjoy working with Glen because he is very intense and passionate about his beliefs. It is completely fitting that Glen has a book called “The Idealist” because that is what he is. Glen had a few great shots of Jeff Ho from 2011, but there was one that to me captured not just Jeff, but the entire essence of surf/skate style. The photograph of Jeff in profile skateboarding down the sidewalk carrying his surfboard while the light breaks diagonally could be silhouetted to create an instantly recognizable and universal surf/skate icon. However, the fact that the subject is the pioneer Jeff Ho makes the image not merely iconic in an aesthetic, superficial sense, but iconic in a historical and truly authentic sense. In illustrating the image, I tried to amplify the lines, shadows, and textures that give the image its amazing character.

It is an honor to work with Glen and Jeff, two pioneers in the cultures that have made me who I am as a person. Thanks for what you’ve cultivated guys!” – Shepard Fairey

 Jeff Ho Zephyr (Blue). 18 x 24 inches. Screen print on cream Speckle Tone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Jeff Ho, and Glen E. Friedman. Edition of 300. $70.

 Jeff Ho Zephyr (Gold). 18 x 24 inches. Screen print on cream Speckle Tone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Jeff Ho, and Glen E. Friedman. Edition of 300. $70.

Both will be available Thursday, April 6 at 10AM (PDT) on ObeyGiant.com in Store

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Ice-T OG Prints By Shepard Fairey And Glen E. Friedman

Shepard Fairey has a new print being released this week based on a photo by Glen E. Friedman and it features Ice-T.

Shepard breaks it down:

Ice-T has been making social commentary for 3 decades… here’s a little history on my connection to his music.

I first heard Ice-T in 1988 around the same time I had also just picked up Public Enemy’s “Yo Bum Rush the Show” album based on the Thrasher magazine description of Public Enemy as “the new punk rock.” I’d say that the punk rock description applies to Ice-T, who is credited by many as the godfather of Gangster Rap (though Ice-T gives proper respects to Schoolly D). The first Ice-T record I heard was Power which had only come out a few days before. The album opens with a hilarious skit in which a scuffle over Ice’s new Power album results in a gunshot wound and ensuing deliberation over whether to call the paramedics or listen to the new album… you can guess which way it goes. The album opens with the song “Power” which has the opening lyrics:

“I’m livin’ large as possible, posse unstoppable
Style topical, vividly optical
Listen, you’ll see ’em sometimes I’ll be ’em
Cops, critics and punks, never ever wanta see me in POWER
Well, that’s too bad, Apocalypse Now I’m back and I’m mad
We’re comin’, you’re runnin’ cold and cunning
Ice T on the mic, Top-Gunning”

Well, that opening line really stuck with me and ended up being the inspiration for the use of the word “posse” in my “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker a few months later. “Power” is my favorite Ice-T album, but he has several excellent albums including “Rhyme Pays,” “Iceberg: Freedom of Speech,” and “OG, Original Gangster.” Three out of four of those records have cover photographs by Glen E. Friedman. Glen and I both think that Ice-T is a very important figure in the golden era of hip hop who deserves to be celebrated for his contribution and exposed to a younger generation, so we collaborated on this image, which is based on an out take photo session from the “Power” era. If you only know Ice-T for his TV roles, do yourself a favor and check out the albums I mentioned. By the way, Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” lifts its chorus from an Ice-T song of the same name from 1993. Like I said, the guy is O.G.

Both prints are signed by me, Glen E. Friedman, and Ice-T. – Shepard

Ice-T OG Red. 18  by 24 inches. Screen Print. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Glen E. Friedman, and Ice-T. Edition of 300. $70. Release Date: Tuesday, November 15 at 10AM (PST)

Ice-T OG Blue. 18 inches by 24 inches. Screen Print. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Glen E. Friedman, and Ice-T.  Editions of 300. $70.  

Release Date: Tuesday, November 15 at 10AM PST on ObeyGiant.com in Store under Prints.

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Thierry Guetta, aka Mr. Brainwash sued for copyright infringement over Run DMC image

From Sean Bonner :

Earlier this month I noted that Banksy had finally spoken about the artist Thierry Guetta (aka Mr. Brainwash) profiled in his now Oscar nominated film Exit Through the Gift Shop . Still, suspicions run fairly rampant that he either doesn't exist or is merely the latest prank creation by Banksy. Guetta has now given sworn statements that the artwork is his own, as he's the subject of a copyright lawsuit initiated by photographer Glen E. Friedman. The two Run DMC images above should make that fairly obvious (as well as several others after the jump).

Friedman is arguing that Guetta used, without credit or permission, his iconic photo of Run DMC on invitations, artworks, merchandise and promotional materials. The Hollywood Reporter broke this story, connected some of the dots between many of the people involved, and then suggested it's basically the same situation as the Associated Press vs. Shepard Fairey case surrounding the Obama 'Hope' image. It's not, and for number of reasons which I'll get to in a second.

First, those dots: Shepard Fairey appeared in Banksy's film about Thierry Guetta, in fact he was the person who introduced Guetta to Banksy. Shepard Fairey and Glen E. Friedman have collaborated on many projects together in the past. And to disclose my connection to this, I previously co ran an art gallery that worked closely with Fairey, Friedman and Guetta's cousin, Space Invader. I met Guetta many times via the gallery, long before he became Mr. Brainwash. Glen and I were both deposed in relation to Shepard's dispute with the Associated press, and I consider both he and Shepard personal friends.

Now that that is out of the way - the major difference between the two cases is the use of an iconic image. In the Fairey v. AP case, Shepard used a random press image that was not iconic in anyway and changed it significantly. In fact the photographer who took the original image, Mannie Garcia, has stated that he didn't even recognize that the 'HOPE' image which he had seen for months while covering the Obama campaign was based on his photo which says quite a bit about both how much Shepard changed it, and how unremarkable of a photo it was in the first place.

In the Friedman v Guetta case, not only is the photo already famous and iconic, it's arguably *the most* famous photo of Run DMC that exists. In fact it was used as the cover image on a 20 year retrospective of photos of the group. The argument could easily be made that Guetta used the photo specifically for this reason, it was already iconic, very well known and he used it in his artwork because of that. He wasn't just referencing Run DMC, he was referencing the most famous photo of them. Additionally he used it in several instances throughout his exhibition, never once crediting Friedman as the creator of the original photo.

Shepard has argued that he believes what he did was covered by Fair Use laws, and references many instances of artwork he's created non-fair use works based on iconic images where he's worked with, and credited the photographer involve (such as the collaborations with Friedman). The photo of Obama by Garcia *became* iconic after Shepard used it, prior to that it was not noteworthy. In the Guetta case, there's no question the photo was iconic long before Guetta ever stepped onto the scene - and had been registered and sold as artwork on it's own right by Friedman for years.

At face value the cases might seem similar and contradictory, but those are in fact extremely important differences.

All that aside this case is interesting for many reasons. It should put to rest the speculation that Mr. Brainwash is just a creation of Banksy's. Should Friedman win the case, expect other artists and copyright holders to come out of the woodwork as basically every piece of artwork by Guetta is just a twist on an already well known image created, and uncredited, by someone else. What will happen to the values of the Guetta/MBW works that were sold at, as some have suggested, incredibly inflated prices to begin with? I think this story is long from over, and can't wait to see what happens in Exit Through The Gift Shop 2.

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Shepard Fairey Rollins 81 Art Print on sale details

From Shepard Fairey:

This Sunday, 2/13/11, the second Rollins print comes out on Henry’s 50th birthday. The print is based on a painting I did from a 1981 Black Flag photo by Glen E. Friedman, with whom I’ve collaborated on several great projects. The print is signed by Glen, Henry, and me. It is an edition of 450. I reiterate what I said about Henry last week: I hold Henry in high regard for his many talents as a singer, writer, radio DJ, TV host, political and social commentator, etc… but above all I love his energy and gusto. Henry has been doing it his way hardcore for 30+ years.
-Shepard

Here is what Glen has to say:

Henry Rollins is an inspiration of intensity. The final frontman of my favorite band of all time, he fit the bill like no one else. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the man is as serious as a heart attack. Reason enough to ask Shepard if he wanted to do this collaboration to create one of his iconic graphics, from an iconic photograph of mine, of an icon of our time. To celebrate his 50th year on the planet, I can think of no better reason. Much respect to “H” for doing what he does to the fullest as always. Happy Birthday Brother.
-GEF

ObeyGiant.com Sunday Febuary 13 at a random time.

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Shepard Fairey Cornel West Art Print on sale details

As I first showed HERE
From Shepard Fairey:

Glen E. Friedman and I collaborated on an image of scholar and political philosopher Cornel West. I’m a big fan of Dr. West as a thinker and humanitarian, but my admiration is even greater after spending time with him when he came to sign the prints. We hung out and talked politics, media, education etc… I don’t think I’ve ever met a nicer person. The experience was very inspiring. Check out some of Cornel West’s writings. Glen has photos and commentary on his website. The print drops Thurs. It is signed by me, Glen, and Dr. West. A portion of the proceeds will go to The City Kids charity.
-Shepard

18 x 24″ Screen Print. Edition of 450. Signed by Shepard Fairey, Glen E. Friedman and Dr. Cornel West. $80.

On Sale Thursday 10-14 at random time at ObeyGiant.com

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Mr Brainwash aka Thierry Guetta is getting sued by Glen E. Friedman

Whoops Mr Brainwash has some copyright infringement issues with photographer Glen E Friedman. Well this just helps to build the hype for his upcoming show in New York. More than likely it surrounds the use of the RUN DMC picture above that Mr Brainwash turned into a art print.

RFC Case Number:	C-G10-14T
Court Case Number:	2:10-cv-00014-DDP-JC
File Date:	Monday, January 04, 2010
Plaintiff:	Glen E. Friedman
Plaintiff Counsel:	Douglas A. Linde, Erica L. Allen of The Linde Law Firm
Defendant:	Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash Does 1-10
Cause:	17:101 Copyright Infringement
Court:	California Central District Court
Judge:	Judge Dean D. Pregerson Referred To: Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Chooljian

Date # Docket Text 1/4/2010 3 NOTICE TO COUNSEL RE: Copyright, Patent and Trademark Reporting Requirements. Counsel shall file the appropriate AO-120 and/or AO-121 form with the Clerk within 10 days. (et) (Entered: 01/05/2010) 1/4/2010 2 CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff Glen E. Friedman. (et) (Entered: 01/05/2010) 1/4/2010 1 COMPLAINT against Defendants Thierry Guetta, Does 1 through 10 inclusive. (Filing fee $ 350 PAID.) Jury Demanded., filed by Plaintiff Glen E. Friedman. (et) (Entered: 01/05/2010) 1/4/2010 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint - (Discovery) 1 as to Defendants Thierry Guetta, Does 1 through 10 inclusive. (et) (Entered: 01/05/2010)

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