LINKIN PARK'S MIKE SHINODA OPENS EXHIBIT AT JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

Musician/producer/artist Mike Shinoda will premiere Glorious Excess, his most ambitious and powerful series of paintings and digital works to date, on July 12. The special engagement features large-scale pieces that blend Shinoda’s experiences in the spotlight with pop commentary and classical vanitas influences. The first in a two-part series, the exhibition will be displayed in the George and Sakaye Aratani Central Hall of the Japanese American National Museum from July 12 to August 3.

Glorious Excess is a subversive interpretation of the classic art movement "vanitas," a type of symbolic still life painting commonly executed by Northern European painters in Flanders and the Netherlands in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Following a central character through various facets of celebrity life, the exhibition explores the motivations behind contemporary society's fascination with fame, excess and instant gratification: from the unique perspective of an outsider on the inside of rock superstardom.

Sponsored by DC Shoes with additional support from the James Irvine Foundation, the opening coincides with the release of Shinoda’s new DC remix shoe. All proceeds from sales of his artwork and footwear go toward the Michael K. Shinoda Endowed Scholarship at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. An opening reception and autograph signing on July 11 runs from 8-10 p.m.

"I believe in what the Japanese American National Museum does," said Shinoda, "and we have had a great relationship for the past few years. I’m proud to share the debut of this new series with the Japanese American National Museum."

Loosely interpreted by scholars, the word "vanitas" (vain or empty) corresponds to the transience of earthly life and the futility of vanity. Common symbols include skulls (a reminder of the certainty of death); rotten fruit (decay-like aging); bubbles (brevity of life, suddenness of death); smoke, watches and hourglasses (brevity of life); and musical instruments (brevity and the ephemeral nature of life).

The expanded continuation of the exhibition, a second show entitled Glorious Excess (Dies), is scheduled for the National Museum’s Miyawaki and Watanabe Galleries January 24 through March 22, 2009. Accompanying the artwork will be text about Shinoda’s meteoric career and examples of his commitment to invoke change through his music including Projekt Revolution, Fort Minor and Live Earth.

"The Japanese American National Museum is pleased to feature the art of Mike Shinoda," stated Akemi Kikumra Yano, President and CEO of the National Museum. "Mike is a compassionate artist who is utilizing his talents and skills to have a larger impact on our society. His desire to help others is truly global in light of his contributions to Live Earth and Music For Relief, among other efforts. We celebrate his creativity and contributions with this unique exhibition."

"This show also represents another step for our institution in reaching out to younger audiences," Yano continued. "A grant from the James Irvine Foundation has allowed us to gather information indicating that community and arts organizations like the National Museum need to develop new approaches and innovative content if we hope to be relevant to each new generation. We believe working with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda will help us accomplish this."

This exhibition is the second in the Salon Pop series that includes collaborative displays that focus on Asian American pop culture. Shinoda and the Japanese American National Museum are working together to reveal the evolution of this sub-culture with this exhibition. The National Museum honored Shinoda for helping to tell history in his works, including the song, "Kenji," which described the government’s unconstitutional incarceration of thousands of Japanese Americans during World War II.

About the Artist

Michael Kenji Shinoda is a Japanese American musician, record producer and artist from Agoura Hills, California. He is best known for his vocal and musical endeavors with his band Linkin Park. Shinoda also oversees the packaging, print and online art for the band. He is also involved in other projects including Fort Minor, Music For Relief, and Projekt Revolution.

Mike was the youngest of his graduating class from Art Center College of Design in 1998, with a B.A. in Illustration. He has had a hand in most artistic facets of Linkin Park's imagery, including album artwork, band merchandise, web design and on-stage production art. In off-time in 2003, Mike did a collaborative "remix" shoe for DC Shoes, remixing the "Clientele." He reworked the colors and materials for the shoe, and designed all the packaging and print advertisements. The following year, he also designed a customizable Kid Robot "Munny" doll for a charity auction.

In 2004 Shinoda started a college scholarship at Art Center College of Design – the Michael K. Shinoda Endowed Scholarship – to benefit illustration and graphic design students, and is awarded based on financial need and quality of work. The first recipient was granted a scholarship in 2006. Proceeds from Shinoda’s artwork and merchandise benefit this scholarship.

Also in 2004, Shinoda broke through with his first show, Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. The show, entitled "Diamonds, Spades, Hearts, and Clubs," featured collaborative artwork with Gary Baseman, graffiti artist SEEN, DALEK, Greg "Craola" Simkins, and Mr. Hahn. Shinoda is currently working on another DC remix in 2008, which will come in standard, plus more than one Limited Edition styles. The shoe and packaging will again feature his artwork.

About the Japanese American National Museum

The Japanese American National Museum is dedicated to fostering greater understanding and appreciation for America's ethnic and cultural diversity by preserving and telling the stories of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Since its incorporation in 1985, the National Museum has grown into an internationally recognized institution, presenting award-winning exhibitions, groundbreaking traveling exhibits, educational public programs, innovative video documentaries and cutting-edge curriculum guides. The National Museum raised close to $60 million to renovate an historic building in 1992 and open a state-of-the-art Pavilion in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo Historic District in 1999. There are now members and donors representing all 50 states and 16 countries.

The Japanese American National Museum is located at 369 East First Street in the historic Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles. For more information, call (213) 625-0414 or visit www.janm.org. National Museum hours are Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors; $4.00 for students and children; free for Museum members and children under age six. Admission is free to everyone on Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and every third Thursday of the month from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Closed Mondays, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Final visitor admissions take place thirty minutes before closing.