巨型機器人起飛成為流行文化巨擘：回顧展紀錄 30 年遺產

How Giant Robot Became a Pop Culture Juggernaut

巨型機器人如何成為流行文化巨頭

In 1994, Eric Nakamura embarked on a creative journey that would forever alter the landscape of Asian American pop culture. His fanzine, "Giant Robot," was a humble endeavor, but it sparked a movement that has transformed into a vibrant hub for Asian and Asian American artists.

1994 年，埃里克·中村 (Eric Nakamura) 踏上了一段創意之旅，這趟旅程將永遠改變亞裔美國流行文化的面貌。他的粉絲雜誌《巨型機器人》是一項不起眼的努力，但它引發了一場運動，該運動已轉變為亞洲和亞裔美國藝術家的充滿活力的中心。

Giant Robot Biennale 5: A Retrospective

第五屆巨型機器人雙年展：回顧展

At the Japanese American National Museum, "Giant Robot Biennale 5" showcases three decades of Giant Robot's evolution. From its humble beginnings as a photocopied zine to its current status as a bastion of pop culture, the exhibition traces Nakamura's transformative journey.

在日美國家博物館，「第五屆巨型機器人雙年展」展示了巨型機器人三十年來的演變。從最初的影印雜誌到目前流行文化堡壘的地位，展覽追溯了中村的變革之旅。

"I was like, 'OK, the art has to echo this 30-year journey,'" says Nakamura. "How did I start again, exactly?"

「我當時想，『好吧，藝術必須呼應這 30 年的旅程，』」中村說。 “我到底是怎麼重新開始的？”

A Creative Ecosystem

創意生態系統

Giant Robot has fostered a thriving creative ecosystem, nurturing emerging artists and showcasing established talents. Taylor Lee's ceramic figures nod to vintage Japanese sci-fi, while Luke Chueh's brooding bear paintings and Mike Shinoda's graffiti-infused installation add to the eclectic mix.

巨人機器人培養了一個蓬勃發展的創意生態系統，培養新興藝術家並展示成熟的人才。 Taylor Lee 的陶瓷人物向日本復古科幻小說致敬，而 Luke Chueh 的沉思熊畫作和 Mike Shinoda 的塗鴉裝置則增添了不拘一格的組合。

Community and Belonging

社區和歸屬感

At the biennale's opening, fans reveled in the nostalgia, pouring over archives and candid photos that captured the early days of Giant Robot. They posed for selfies in front of iconic magazine covers, a testament to the publication's enduring legacy.

在雙年展開幕典禮上，粉絲們陶醉在懷舊之情中，翻閱了記錄巨型機器人早期時光的檔案和照片。他們在標誌性雜誌封面前擺出自拍照的姿勢，證明了該出版物的不朽遺產。

"No matter where my career goes, I think I can always come back for a sense of community and belonging," says illustrator Felicia Chiao, whose solo show at GR2 gallery marked her entry into the art world.

「無論我的職業生涯走向何方，我認為我總是能回來尋找社區感和歸屬感，」插畫家 Felicia Chiao 說，她在 GR2 畫廊的個展標誌著她進入了藝術世界。

A Force for Asian American Artists

亞裔美國藝術家的一股力量

Giant Robot has played a pivotal role in elevating Asian and Asian American artists. "In my mind, [GR2 gallery] is kind of like the Whisky a Go Go," says artist Darren Inouye. "It's a small location, but it has such a huge legacy."

巨人機器人在提升亞洲和亞裔美國藝術家方面發揮了關鍵作用。 「在我看來，[GR2 畫廊] 有點像威士忌 a Go Go，」藝術家 Darren Inouye 說。 “這是一個很小的地方，但它擁有如此巨大的遺產。”

Inouye's contributions to the biennale honor his grandmother's experience during World War II, highlighting the importance of representing Asian American history. "With Eric and Giant Robot, there was an element of a healthy amount of pride," he says.

井上對雙年展的貢獻是為了紀念祖母在二戰期間的經歷，強調代表亞裔美國人歷史的重要性。 「對於埃里克和巨人機器人來說，有一種健康的自豪感，」他說。

From Zine to Icon

從 Zine 到 Icon

Nakamura's original mission was to connect with other Asian American "underdogs" who shared his passions. "If you look at the very first [zine] issues, identity is a big deal," he recalls.

中村最初的使命是與其他與他有共同愛好的亞裔美國「失敗者」建立聯繫。 「如果你看看第一期的[雜誌]，你會發現身份是一件大事，」他回憶道。

Now, as Giant Robot celebrates its 30th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the power of community, creativity, and the transformative journey of an outcast who found his voice and forged a legacy in the realm of pop culture.

現在，隨著巨人機器人慶祝其成立 30 週年，它證明了社區的力量、創造力以及一個被遺棄者的變革之旅，他在流行文化領域找到了自己的聲音並鑄造了遺產。