free size

Stay Free!

2010-10-14T09:56:00.000+07:00

Well we are still under construction,
but the new Free Size site is up and running!!!
www.gofreesize.com

We have got some big things planned for Bangkok Design Festival in November so stay tuned!

Check out "free size" on YouTube!

2010-04-26T20:39:00.000+07:00

A very special thanks goes out to Op Sudasna for putting this documentary together.

free size in Computer Arts

2010-04-26T15:05:00.000+07:00

The new issue of Computer Arts Thailand has nice coverage of the free size show. It features photos of the install and excerpts from an interview they did with the artists. Computer Arts is a Thai language magazine and is readily available at major new stands around Thailand. Below are some low res scans of the piece for our friends who live outside of the country. Enjoy.

web size'd

2010-03-29T09:20:00.000+07:00

free size photos have been popping up all over flickr, facebook and blogs. Thanks to everyone who has been posting up pics!

Here are a few choice selections:
from Ruben:

from Jen:

from Warittha:

free size also received it's first write up on-line over at frieze. Check it out.
More to follow!

2010-03-20T17:47:00.000+07:00

2010-03-20T08:41:00.000+07:00

Install Recap: Final Day

2010-03-19T09:40:00.000+07:00

Recap of the last few days of install
FFFIIINNNAAALLL FFFLLLAAASSSHHH---BBBAAACCCKKK!!!

We started off the day with a visit to the local sticker cart.

Alvaro installed the stretched panels.

Final snake fabric install.

P7 working on the lockers.

Mounting Jens fabric piece on wood in preparation for final install.

Leo's little brother, Michael came out and helped. Here he is lending Juan a hand.

Michael was our only work place related injury. Despite the gore this was only a scrape.

Jen making final adjustments.

P7 brought out some paintings to hang in the space.

We printed some shirts to wear at the pre-party latter that night.

P7 mural detail.

Alvaro mural detail.

Jen mural detail.

At the pre-party we screened some of the artists' video work.
Alvaro was jukin' up the block.

All the artists were interviewed for a local cable TV show.

Final Full Day of Install

Alvaro working on the group mural.

Computer Arts magazine came out did some interviews and had a photo shoot.
Notice Nong Bpen checking out the scene.

Display wall set up.

Everybody jamin' on the group mural wall.

Somehow we ended up at a huge restaurant/brewery with live music out on Rama II.
It was surreal!

BEWARE: Hungry artists will eat a whole pig leg! Keep your hands inside the car.

Tag Teaming

2010-03-19T03:35:00.001+07:00

#UpToNoGoodCrew u know how we do

2010-03-19T02:27:00.000+07:00

#FREE-SIZE #BKK

2010-03-19T02:19:00.000+07:00

Madness through out the trip!

Nong Bpen

2010-03-18T07:28:00.000+07:00

A curious on looker watched over us for a few days. Security blanket and bottle always firmly in hand. At first he was a little shy but once he warmed up to us and realized some of us spoke Thai we coudn't keep him away. His name is Bpen and he ended up being one of our best friends out at the factory.

Bpen joins in the painting action.

He helped us make our "Soi free size" sign by learning to use the roller.

Bpen thinks "Snakes are crazy!"

Chillin with the P7 mural.

Sandy, Jen and Bpen having a pool party. A perfect way to cool down.

Nong Bpen back bright and early to do some more painting.

Install Recap: One Week Ago!

2010-03-17T08:50:00.000+07:00

It is hard to believe only one week ago we were about halfway through the install of free size.

TTTIIIMMMEEE WWWAAARRRPPP!!!

This is the way we spent 2-3 hours a day. Piled in a van. Stuck in traffic.
Oh the stories that were told!!!!!!

P7 shows off his custom stickers!

Alvaro's brother Ruben came by to give Jen a helping hand.

Alvaro's custom fabric wrapped and rolled from the previous nights printing.

Fixing up the rainbow drip.

Close up of Juan's structure. Almost ready to be skinned in black fabric.

Hard at work.

Locker prepped.

Close up of custom all over print.

Alvaro sweeps the floor before stretching can begin.

Stretching canvas.

Tote bags being manufactured.

Steven and Cybele from apexart made it to check out the install progress.

Jen's piece finished. This will probably be her first and last foray into using fabric!!!

Post dinner photo shoot with giant cow!

Artist Profile: P7

2010-03-17T08:24:00.001+07:00

P7 painting in the B.A.C.C.

Big thanks go out to artist P7.

One of the best parts of putting together international art shows is watching the artists hang out and get to know each other. P7 really added an important element to the group.

Also he is also a very fast painter! Crazy Fast!
His website is in the works so stay tuned for more info!

Painting by P7

Detail from B.A.C.C. mural.

P7 in front of his mural. Don't let the cartoons fool you he can paint for real!

P7 has lots of street work up too, perfect for those allergic to boring white walls.

Opening Day Pics

2010-03-16T11:37:00.000+07:00

Space is swept, cleaned and ready! Oh Ho! Modern Art Styles!

The artists were working on a group mural right up until the gates opened.

Jen's painting "dropped it down to the ground!"

Juan even joined in on the last minute madness.

The newly christened "Soi Free Size"

Dancing mini Mr. Free Size gets down in the streets.

The bus is here!!!! Open the gate!!!!

People filtering in. Grabbing drinks and checking it out.

Hiding in the shade of gallery free size.

GANG DANG!!!!!

People picking out which shirt designs to get screened.

Posing for photos with the art.

Free tote bag model.

Live screen printing. Thanks to the Sinudom staff for doing it real proper!!!

Jen signing a shirt for Cherry.

Gang Dang on the move. Factory ladies were being kind of shy so we brought the curry to them!

P7, Alvaro, Jen, Juan, Leo & Logan giving the team free size scream!

The illusive P' Da showing off her autographed shirt.
Without her help none of this would have been possible!!

The last supper.

It's so hard to say goodbye.

2010-03-16T11:32:00.000+07:00

Jen and Alvaro ballin' air tickets for days.
Hope to see you again soon!

Dreams Come True

2010-03-14T11:35:00.000+07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out yesterday. The opening was amazing. Big props go out to all the artists, Op, Leo, & the exteneded Sinudom Silk Screen family! We will post up the full install and opening highlights soon........but first a little bit of rest is in order. So here are a few quick snaps to tide you over.

The artists looking crazy after a whole bunch of 10 hour work days at the space.

The opening in full effect.

People enjoying the show.

People started to ask for autographs.

It got kinda crazy towards the end of the event.

Juan says, "Stay in school kids." While waiting in the airport at 4AM.

Opening Day Info in Thai.

2010-03-12T11:07:00.000+07:00

Click to Enlarge

Here is basic info about the opening in Thai. Spread the word. The show is looking great.

TONIGHT! PreParty for free size.

2010-03-11T07:07:00.000+07:00

Limited Edition only available in Bangkok!!!

Tonight (Thursday March 11th) is the pre-party in Bangkok, so everyone working on the project will be hanging out at Shades of Retro. You are invited to come by and check it out. We will have info about the free bus we are providing on Saturday along with other surprises. DON'T SLEEP!!!!

PreParty info page on facebook.

P.S. Tons more pics of all the install work to come. We have just been to busy to even use the internet.

BangKhunThian & Back

2010-03-09T07:43:00.000+07:00

click to enlarge

Here is a simple map we made to help you find the space. It includes basic instructions to Sinudom factory by car or public transit.

We will also be offering a free bus from Bangkok out to the factory on opening day March 13th. It will be leaving Bangkok around 3PM. Full details will be available at the preparty. With all the "political activities" going on in the streets this weekend it is going to take a little more planning to insure a speedy bus route. We will keep you posted.

Don't forget we have full preparty & opening reception info up on facebook.
Click attending to get all the latest updates!

preparty on facebook.

freesize opening on facebook

Day Two: Full Time Job! Pang!

2010-03-09T00:36:00.000+07:00

Day One

2010-03-08T00:32:00.000+07:00

Here are some pics from the first full day.

A day in which:
-the factory was toured, plans were hatched-
-J.J. market was searched, the heat became real-
-paint, brushes and materials were bought-
-many fine cuts of pork and tasty curries were consumed-
-much time was spent in traffic-

Juan working on sketches in the hotel.

Office doors, fully blessed and ready.

Jen peeps the proof.

We raided the all over print warehouse to check out all the screens.
Skulls, florals, animals, plaids and so many more.

We found the pattern bible laying on a table. A plain notebook held together with tape.
Filled with so much secret knowledge.

Empty ink barrels. Cleaned, stacked and ready.

Six barrels of black.

Random basic tones. Building blocks.

We stumbled upon the inks for Jen's project.

Alvaro and Juan check out the machine that prints blocker on the screens.

Alvaro checks out a burned screen from his project.

Sandals, four paint buckets and a mallet.

Computerized color matching system.

Final tone pallet with mix test on the side.

free size filming

2010-03-08T00:26:00.000+07:00

We are very happy to have some of Thailand's finest creative individuals coming out in support of free size. Local filmmaker Op Sudasna became very excited upon hearing about the project and has come on board to shoot some video and help us document the week of install and opening day. Thanks! Op!

Op recently completed Sambai, a skate video for the Bangkok based skate store Preduce. Along with lots of skate tricks Sambi includes tons of in jokes and visual cues from everyday Thai life; using your teeth to open a beer bottle, scary ghosts, eating food off of carts and napping all appear in the piece. Its also worth noting that local DJ Maft Sai helped select the sound track composed of vintage Thai funk and Luk Tung music.

Sambai in its entirety is posted on youtube. Check it out!

Arrival

2010-03-07T02:59:00.000+07:00

Space Coaster - Our wheels for the week. This van only speaks Japanese.

Hardest part is the waiting.

First sighting. They all made it.

And so it begins....more to come. A little sleep first.

Skype takes to the Sky

2010-03-04T16:57:00.001+07:00

Jen pops on screen durring a skype call and scares Logan the freesize curator.

What can I say Skype has been a very important part of putting this whole show together. Between talks with the gallery in NYC and chatting with artists I'm not sure how things would have been completed without it. I give video chat massive props too, having artists be able to show you sketches and concepts while talking is amazing. This franchise exists because of the internet.

Anyway those days of on-line talks are over as everyone is boarding planes and flying across the globe. It is going to be a busy week.

Alvaro has been on the photo tweets while traveling:

Randoms: Fabric 4 Sale

2010-03-04T16:29:00.000+07:00

89-28 baht a yard.

Value packs.

The scene.

Prints for days.

Just in case.

Cracks in the wall.

Artist Profile: Alvaro Ilizarbe

2010-03-04T15:26:00.000+07:00

Alvaro on the right at the Abracadabra opening.
To his left Mike Giant.

Alvaro Ilizarbe a very brief introduction:

Alvaro was born in Peru. He moved to Miami in 1989.

Alvaro runs the clothing label Freegums. He has collaborated with Merlin Bronques (lastnightsparty.com), and completed design work for the musician Michna and record label Ghostly International.

His art and clothing line have appeared in Miami Magazine, XLR8R, Beautiful Decay & Missbehave.

Alvaro has had solo shows in San Francisco, Miami, and LA. This will be his first time visiting Thailand.

Pieces from the Bippity Boppity Boo show.

Checking out a Freegums t-shirt.

A show catalog in zine format.

For more info check out:

Interview with Alvaro posted on Turntablelab.com

Freegums: www.freegums.com

YOUTUBE:

Artist Profile: Juan Angel Chavez

2010-03-04T08:41:00.000+07:00

Juan at work in his studio.

Juan Angel Chavez a very brief introduction:

Juan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. At the age of 13 his family immigrated to Chicago, USA.

Juan currently holds a faculty position at the School of the Art Institute Chicago.

You may have seen his work in the book Street World published by Thames & Hudson. He has also been profiled in Juxtapoz.

Juan has had solo shows in New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago. This will be his first time visiting Thailand.

After Five an install at the MCA-Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago 2003

Bogart, 2009. In his recent works fabric had become an often used material.

For more info check out:

Photos from Juan's studio featured in Proximity Magazine

Juan's website: www.juanangelchavez.com

For the Speaker Project Juan built a sculpture resembling a giant speaker.
Over the course of the exhibition bands performed from inside the structure.

Selected youtube clips:

On the hunt. . .

2010-03-03T19:02:00.000+07:00

Today was another mad scramble through the Chinatown fabric market. Finding the right fabric in the right color in the right amount is harder then one would think. So we set out into the midday heat to get the job done. A train, car and tuk-tuk ride latter the mission was accomplished.

Cramped quarters can't stop flow of fabric.

Had to load up the fabric finds on a tuk-tuk.
So much exhaust from all the traffic.
-cough- -cough-

Saw this truck on our tuk-tuk trip.
Fully loaded!

Raw materials at the factory.
Paint and fabric ready to be transformed into art.

Artist Profile: Jen Stark

2010-03-02T16:02:00.000+07:00

Jen Stark in her studio.

Jen Stark a very brief introduction:

Jen grew up and currently lives in Miami.

Jen received a BFA from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2005, majoring in Fibers with a minor in Animation.

You may have seen her work in the books Perfect Paper published by Page One or Tactile published by Die Gestalten. Her work has also appeared in the magazines XLR8R, Wallpaper & Wired.

Jen Stark has had solo shows in New York City, Washington DC, and Miami. This will be her first time visiting Thailand.

Radial Reverie by Jen Stark (cut paper)

For more info check out:

Artlurker.com wrote up a nice interview with her you should check it out. HERE

Also you should visit Jen's website. jenstark.com

And of course youtube:

Even the Kitchen Table is Busy...

2010-02-27T21:24:00.000+07:00

Even international art shows work hard to stay on budget. A little spare time with a ruler and a razor blade can turn a stack of super cheap copies into promotional fliers. As the opening draws nearer we are spending large amounts of time talking to people and spreading the word. Hopefully the pre-party in Bangkok will build up some excitement so people will be ready for a road trip out to the factory. It is very exciting to be working under such unique circumstances.

Okay enough talking back to cutting.

Things are getting under way...

2010-02-27T07:22:00.000+07:00

A panda in the board room.

Today we visited Sinudom to check out some fabric samples for projects Jen & Alvaro are undertaking. With such a tight turn around we have began sourcing materials and moving items into production. This way the artists will have time to make final adjustments and focus on the site specific aspects of their work when they arrive. I can't believe how rapidly this exhibition has come together. Less than a week till our first international artist arrives!

So many fabrics to choose from.

Too smooth....

Too rough.....

Ah, just right!
If only this was cheaper and actually in-stock! Back to the fabric market.

Pickin' Out Paint with Artist P7

2010-02-25T15:56:00.000+07:00

Today we ran around with P7 picking out paint for his mural project at the factory. We rode around on the BTS and received some funny looks. What, have you never seen three men loaded down with buckets of paint riding the sky train before?

P7 checks out his color options at the Home Pro.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, P7 was commissioned to create these giant public sculptures in the shape of tiger heads. If you have been anywhere near the Siam Square area in Bangkok you have probably seen them.

Here are some pics of the install for all our international readers:

Tigers runnin' the streets.

Posters for the show.

People in Thailand love to pose for pictures. Even tourists like to strike a pose.
These tigers end up all over facebook!

GRRRrrrrrr!!!

pre size...free size

2010-02-25T11:34:00.000+07:00

Flyer Illustration by Freegums

pre-size.......free size
at
Shades of Retro
( ThongLo & TharaRom Soi 2)
THURSDAY MARCH 11th 8PM till ???

Featuring:
Alvaro Ilizarbe - Miami USA
Jen Stark - Miami USA
Juan Angel Chavez - Chicago USA
P7 - Bangkok, Thailand

Join us for a celebration at legendary Bangkok bar "Shades of Retro"
A Pre-Party Extravaganza Featuring :

Video Installations
Give aways and cool limited edition merch!
Djs Nong Plom & Logan Bay playing good music.
Surprise Guests!!!!

Come find out what all the buzz is about!!!

We will be giving out maps and information about upcoming exhibition.
So stop by say "hi," have a drink and find out how you can participate.

"free size" venue confirmed

2010-02-23T08:57:00.000+07:00

Sinudom's two story manufacturing building.

Sinudom Silk Screen Factory has graciously agreed to host our exhibition. The Sinudom factory houses all the equipment necessary to silk screen textiles and occupies multiple buildings. Offering many options for the creation and installation of art.

The cafeteria will be a hub of activity for the exhibition.

Fabric hot off the press.

"free size" artist list confirmed

2010-02-22T08:45:00.000+07:00

We are proud to announce the artists participating in the exhibition will include:

Alvaro Ilizarbe - Miami, FL USA

Jen Stark - Miami, FL USA

Juan Angel Chavez - Chicago, IL USA

P7 - Krung Thep, Thailand

"free size" coming soon

2010-02-18T10:04:00.000+07:00

Based on the idea of creating its own franchise, apexart held a worldwide open call for 250-word proposals asking participants why the franchise should come to their town and provide all of the support necessary to produce an exhibition.

We are proud to announce the winning show, "free size" will be presented in Thailand.

More info is available here.