Additional photographs courtesy of Leigh Slingluff
Human Failure
New works by Michael C. Hsiung
The Slingluff Gallery
11 West Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA
See my weird drawings from the show here.
Listen to a podcast I did with Live Free Podcast with Mike Maxwell !
We landed in SF from Burbank and had a few beers before we boarded. As luck would have it, the plane engine was leaking. They tested it while we were seated and I was pretty much telling myself to get off the plane regardless. After a few minutes, we were taken off the flight and put on delay. Fortunately, we met a cool guy from Jersey named Joe who flies a lot and is a member to one of those Sky bars. He invited us for free drinks and food!
Got to Philadelphia around 1 a.m. so this is a shot of the gallery from the next day.
First morning, we took a look at the gallery space and opened some boxes. Jonathan and Leigh, who run Slingluff, were so nice to put us up while we were visiting. Situated in the back of the gallery, their living situation was going to make set up way easier.
We cruised out one morning to check out the area and post up some stickers. Weather was nice, and I really liked the buildings and shops there.
For a highly populated city, I was impressed by all the communal parks and/or gardening areas in Philadelphia. Wish we had more of those in Los Angeles.
The other thing I really enjoyed about Philadelphia was all the damn bars! Everywhere. $2 beers too. Jonathan and Leigh Slingluff taking us for a mid-day beer.
Getting to know you, getting to know all about you... cheers.
Next morning, we chilled out in their shared back patio, enjoying some sun.
Jonathan had a great idea to have me chalk up this bathroom at Fathom Seafood House, so we had a few drinks before I went in.
Since we were all in a bathroom, I thought it'd be appropriate to draw another person doing a Number two.
It was pretty weird drawing in this bathroom with Jonathan filming me and Rachel taking photos of me. Nervous energy turns into weird drawings.
Talked myself out of the dude taking a dump drawing and figured I'd turn it into some environmental hippy message, since I'm from California. Surprisingly it wasn't totally erased later . . . only a few dick drawings were added. haha.
Some pictures of where we were sleeping and hanging. It's really a nice set up back there. Lots of nice artwork up too.
The next day we started to do a bit more hanging. Jonathan and Leigh were a real help.
They used to have a floating wall, but they decided to take it out. It really opened up the place. Anyhow, hung some of my newer ink drawings here along side my colorful leaf beard dude.
It was some idea I had before coming out. . . I made a practice cyclops version that is above our bed - just to see if it would be cool or not. It's simple and colorful, and that's the way I like it.
Here's a shot of the gallery and we're pretty much ready to go. The set up was super quick thanks to the teamwork of Rachel, Jonathan, and Leigh.
Cruised around and taped up some of these direction signs that Leigh printed out. Siamese drinking and smoking twins will lead you to my opening.
I made some stickers for the show before coming out to Philly. I decided that the window needed something since we didn't have a window display or decal. Worked out good.
In order to prepare for the show, I had to consume this Philly cheesesteak. Sorry if I reeked at the opening. That shit was good . . so good that I had a dream that Rachel eat my other half. I woke up telling her that she ate it,, but she didn't remember and thought it was a possibility. Hey guess what. . it was still in the refrigerator. Whoops, sorry.
We had an awesome DJ that night, Mr. David Blakk who even mixed in some Careless Whispers for me because I was telling Jonathan about this Saxophone guy.
Some photos from the opening.
Okay I'd have to say that I really enjoy meeting friends who I've never met in person! Internet buddies - fans, artists, and just cool folks. I was stoked to meet friend / artist Angela Capel who stopped by with her brother. He's the one who introduced my art to her! Thanks man. She even brought me some cool fan art - skull with a mustache and a Splatz beer on the back!
Some art.
Fellas from Dumhi . Rajan's shirt rules!
Philadelphia based artist Dan Eellsstops by the show and brings me this sweet shirt. He's a fellow I met trading art and so forth. Super nice fellow. He just started a clothing company called SHITSHOW CLOTHING.
Art buddies Andy Kehoe and Jesse!
More on the hawkbird men and the medicines that have been extracted from their food source.
On how reckless and unsavory bears were removed from the island.
A buddy of Hovin and Nate from the Human Pyramids, Philadelphia native Ty Saunders stops by to check out the show. Not sure what we're talking about here, but maybe something about giant babies?
Philadelphia artist Shawn Beeks who just recently designed some sweet skatewheels chats with radical Richard.
Meeting more awesome folks!!! Maria and friend!
On the confusion and fury of a recently born man-serpent.
On the Lithuanian bear's revenge against the sons of Sir Anthony of Tuscany
Of a scene in which two talented conjoined men perform a sacred pose
On how the use of skateboards benefited the relationship between men and bears
Here's the skull that Angela brought. Sorry for the blurry photo. It now sits on my desk.
Thanks again to Jonathan and Leigh Slingluff. They're really sweet and the down-to-earth folks who run the gallery. I definitely like what they're trying to do out there in Philadelphia! So definitely stop by and check out their blog, The Pine Cone Gentleman, which I've been contributing too.
Afterwards, we celebrated the gallery's 4th birthday, heading over to the M room to see the musical talents of Dumhi . Seriously gotta check them out they are bad ass. They performed a really sick set with guest rapper appearances by Biz MacPhatpants and Ethel Cee!! They killed it.
Um. . . after opening madness.
Philadelphia / Pittsburgh rivalry. Baseball was on the TV. Pittsburgh knocked Philadelphia out that evening.
Had too many blurry photos of bar madness, and all I remember is heading back to the gallery to play charades, drinking some fancy vintage alcohol and then passing out.
Rough morning made un-rougher by this bloody mary. It was our last day in Philadelphia and were heading to Pittsburgh (4 hours) with Mr. Kehoe.
Parting our ways. . . so sad. I really have to make a trip back there to visit.
Four hours later hung over in a car ride and we arrived to a very lush and green Pittsburgh to the Kehoe compound.
Talented brothers Kehoe, Ben Kehoe and -Andy Kehoe, shaking me down for some pizza money. Ben has a show coming up in Los Angeles this October 14 at WWA Gallery in Culver City. He'll be heading down with his lady Rachel to visit us!
Their new cute puppy puppy, Ava.
They're set up in Pittsburgh is sweet! Beautiful house, two stories, wood floors. . and affordable. Here's a room they're able to use for a studio space. After we settled in, we headed out for some record shopping.
Jerry's Records is my record heaven. You gotta stop by there if you're in Pittsburgh. Last time we were in Seattle we bought so many records that I had to lug home on the plane. It weighed like a ton of bricks, but that didn't stop Rachel.
Andy and Ben's parents were nice enough to invite us over for some home cooking and swimming. We really needed that on the trip. Eating out everyday never quite is as good as a home-cooked meal.
Our last day in Pittsburgh and it started out with a little rain. I like rain since it's rare in Los Angeles.
Parting ways . .. . and headed back to California. Thanks Brothers Kehoe for the hospitality!
And then we drove off to the airport. . . that's me waving goodbye with my dreads on.
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