Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Oh Hey, It's a Naked Man on a Scooter, Carrying a Crucifix
It's not everyday you see a naked man riding a scooter with giant cross.
Warning: This article has content some readers might find objectionable.
Last month, Kotaku brought word of a Beijing man who ran through the streets nude while carrying a sex doll. Online in China, the images soon went viral, and one Chinese blogger compared the incident to a real-life Temple Run.
This month, the same gentleman returned; however, this time he was carrying a huge crucifix. According to Chinese social networking sites, he was once again spotted in Beijing's Wangjing area, which is known as the city's Koreatown and which also houses many tech companies.
The Chinese media even reported this latest incident by the "Wingjing Streaker". Besides the dash, there was also a buck-naked moped ride. Both with a giant crucifix.
Last night on social networking site Sina Weibo, a man Li Binyuan admitted that he was the Wingjing Streaker. "I've done this about ten times," Li admitted. "So far, only six times have been recorded and put online by spectators."
Photos of the Wangjing Streaker started to go viral in China last month.
Li, a graduate of the prestigious China Central Academy of Fine Arts, works as an artist in China. He's still young and is still trying to make a name for himself. But this isn't necessarily an art project per se—though, it certainly does have elements of performance art.
"At first, it all started because I was bored and this seemed fun," said Li. "Later, it just became something to do." Li said that he had hit a wall with his work and was frustrated. He needed a release, and for him, streaking fulfilled that.
"Every time I finish a run, I always check online to see what people online are saying about me," said Li. "The internet creates such a wonderful way to interact, and I really want to see what others think of this thing I'm doing. It makes conversation online."
Li's art can break the public and private spaces in arresting ways. For example, in 2010, Li had himself filmed on the subway in China as he brushed his teeth, washed his face, and then lathered up to shave his face with a razor. He even brought a bottle of water, a cup, and a bowl so he could gargle and wash up after he finished. All this occurred on a crowded subway. Onlookers either ignored Li or took digipics.
While there's probably no law against brushing your teeth or shaving on a train, public nudity is a crime in China. Li doesn't think what he did was wrong, adding that when people are stressed out, they need to cut loose. A Beijing lawyer named Liu Xiaoyuan is quoted as saying this is illegal, but added that since the incidents occurred at night (and perhaps didn't disturb the peace), criminal charges are unlikely.
After admitting he was the Wangjing Streaker, Li wrote online this was the last time he will run naked in public, saying, "I'm done. Bye-bye."
北京の韓国人街に「十字架を担いだ全裸の男」、深夜街を駆け回る姿が目撃される―中国報道 [新华网]
望京再现男子扛十字架裸奔 [组图]
一号线上 [东方视觉]
Eric Jou contributed to this article.
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft.
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond.
Friday, 17 May 2013
This Model Truck Is a Japanese Arcade...On Wheels!
Spotted by Frankie from Hobby Media , this intersting "Game Box Truck" model is a mobile arcade. For my money, a vehicle with arcade games sure beats an ice cream truck!
Model's art is above, and here is a look at the acutal piece:
The 1/24 scale "Game Box Truck" is priced at 1890 yen (US$18) and will be out this June in Japan.
Check out more on Hobby Media. Links below.
Aoshima Game Center: il camion salagiochi! [Hobby Media]
Aoshima: GameCenter Truck - Fiera di Shizuoka 2013 [Hobby Media]
To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft.
Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.
Yuko Shimizu's art is like a cooler version of your wildest dreams
You've probably admired the work of award-winning artist Yuko Shimizu before — her art has adorned some covers of Vertigo Comics' The Unwritten as well as some great book covers and illustrations at Tor.com. But when you see a bunch of her gorgeous work all in one place, it's pretty mind-blowing.
Shimizu posted a new portfolio recently over at Behance, showing her work illustrating everything from steampunk to lush fantasy to space opera — and it's all united by a particular design sense as well as bright, thrilling imagery.
Check out some of our favorite images below, and tons more at the links. [Yuko Shimizu at Behance, via Comic Book Resources]
The Melancholy of Mechagirl by Catherynne M. Valente, soon to be published from Viz Media’s inprint HAIKASORU.
Originally commissioned by NPR for a calendar image, later used for FUSE TV advertising and posters.
Genesis by Bernard Beckett published by Rizzoli Romanzo of Italy.
Steampunk! anthology edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant from Candlewick Press
The Future is Japanese , published from Viz Media’s imprint Haikasoru.
Beauty Belongs To The Flowers, a sci fi novella by Matthew Sanborn Smith, published on tor.com. Art direction: Irene Gallo.