David Choe | KQED Spark

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15 жыл бұрын

Join KQED's Spark and meet the South Bay graffiti artist David Choe searching for a new direction and using art to find his way.
David Choe’s fiercely imaginative paintings reference comics, gothic art, Surrealism, pornography, and fashion illustration. Made with oils, acrylics, and collage, the images are seductive, mischievous, and narratively complex.
For more coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, visit www.kqed.org/arts.

Пікірлер: 578

@amymiller4438 3 жыл бұрын

I produced this story for KQED back in 2004, shortly after David returned home from prison in Japan. I will never forget running through those tunnels at night with him in downtown San Jose. He was so conflicted at that time and yet his talent and his art continued to guide him through that confusion. My favorite moment of shooting this story was when he squirts pigment on his knuckles and punches the plywood. His soy sauce paintings and drawings from Japanese prison blew me away. I wonder what he ever did with those. What an incredible human. I've been stoked to see how his career has evolved.

@metalfacemartinez 3 жыл бұрын

Truly one of the most interesting people i've heard about

@gabrielpogue6647 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Sound unforgettable

@matinnoorzaye3150 3 жыл бұрын

cap

@jjutt87 3 жыл бұрын

Before his Facebook deal

@jackmiddleton2080 3 жыл бұрын

I think David Choe has been conflicted every day of his life.

@Swagolisious2 3 жыл бұрын

I’m cool enough to have gotten this actually recommended to me

@msergio0293 3 жыл бұрын

@wesleystokes4855 3 жыл бұрын

Same I thought this looked suck

@ao2211 3 жыл бұрын

Ye ye

@MrDank132 3 жыл бұрын

Good luck with the drug business Brad!

@Swagolisious2 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrDank132 ??

@BrieferBread66 3 жыл бұрын

I didn’t know how extremely talented he really was.

@adamking4246 3 жыл бұрын

After watching this dude on JRE it shows you how fast time goes bye. I have two kids that are grown now, seems just a few year's ago my kids said their first words. I'm not old but definitely not young and this makes me wish I done more. So to all. Live life to its fullest cause the older you get the quicker time goes bye. GOODLUCK TO YOU ALL.

@utopianfurbiscuit 3 жыл бұрын

john Kennedy Bunch of moments from that podcast you could tell he was lying.. like when telling joe the story of him going to the Congo back in the day... where he said he had strapped a GoPro on one of the hunting dogs while out hunting baboons... I just thought to myself “so in the days before cellphones and all that...you had a GoPro to strap onto these tribesmen’s hunting dogs?!”

@dancer1 3 жыл бұрын

😢

@dancer1 3 жыл бұрын

Commander Shepard no

@utopianfurbiscuit 3 жыл бұрын

Jonathan Viray How did he have a go pro tho?.. did he just mean a regular portable camera? Go pros didn’t exist when he says he was in the Congo.. cell phones didn’t exist he was talking about.. when he was explaining going there on a whim n not really being able to tell anyone cause it was before cell phones and all that..

@adamking4246 3 жыл бұрын

@@utopianfurbiscuit They did have small camcorders then though. I had one I could easily strap to a dog. It was a Sanyo 880 zoom, that was 14 yrs ago and truthfully I still cant find one that can zoom in as far. Damn thing was like a telescope.lol. He did say go pro though. Like I said as quick as time goes by there probably older then you think. I can tell he stretches the truth. He has done alot in his life time and he's still fairly young.

@drocto2000 6 жыл бұрын

I love that David Choe has risen to the level of awareness that average people might know him. Mostly because he is a true misfit. A true artist. He would not and could not conform, but he somehow managed to forge his life in an undeniable way, gaining fame and fortune along the way. I don't think that fame or fortune are noble goals, but I am glad that David Choe exists if only to show other outcasts, artists, poets and general malcontents that sometimes life will smile upon you. He is an incredibly talented artist, and I do love his work. But how many other malcontent artists are out there living in the dirt, scratching for existence that will never be paid a dime, or achieve general acclaim. A lot. That's why I love David Choe. He's a true fuckup. And he said "fuck it all" and did it his way and through sheer will, and luck, managed to show the world that being a fuckup can be a big deal. His Vice travel series "Thumbs up!" is some of the best shit I have ever seen, and I salute him and his cousin Harry Kim, and whatever Vice videographer had to follow them for doing it. This piece must have been filmed shortly after his Japanese prison stint. His life is full of dobouchery, he is definitely not the Christian convert some of the people in the comments are claiming or hoping for. And God bless him for that.

@deazel215 3 жыл бұрын

I think you have to understand that he himself knows hes full of shit and that his art is never really appreciated. People who he can't stand to be like or around own his art.

@charlesbogle6544 3 жыл бұрын

I have found that the only way you can find a deep connection with something in this world, whether it is a career, a companion, anything REAL and worth holding onto, is to share straight from your heart and soul what really motivates you deeply. I found this when I was watching an old Joe Rogan episode where his guest mentioned John Taylor Gatto. I found out that our system is set up to create childish, ineffective adults who won't challenge the corrupt power structure. Since I was home schooled this made total sense to me. We need more independent renegade CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS like David Chow, and the only way to get that is to allow people to follow their own heart and dreams and help change the world by going deep with learning through real life and love of nature. Sharing this message helped me find an amazing woman in Norway who understands me better than anyone ever came close to before and it's because I had the simple courage to share it online and start a club for knowledge and wisdom. Life rules!

@cdp332 13 жыл бұрын

Most hardcore badass artist iv ever seen.

@fascinatinglist9654 4 жыл бұрын

Man david choe's art is amazing

@joshjacob1530 Жыл бұрын

His art is awesome. He doesn’t think he just goes with the creative flow. Rides it.

@Fiveash-Art Жыл бұрын

You got the first part "He doesn’t think he just goes with the creative flow" ... don't know if I buy the 'creative flow' nonsense though. 🙄

@joshjacob1530 Жыл бұрын

@@Fiveash-Art sorry I fact checked it and creative flow is real.

@Fiveash-Art Жыл бұрын

@@joshjacob1530 You call it 'flow' .. I call it BS. This guy definitely isn't thinking about much when he's making this stuff though. 😂

@beefboss4677 3 жыл бұрын

A bit of a surreal throwback for me to watch, I remember as a kid always going to five color cowboy for haircuts, my oldest sister was childhood friends with one of the barbers there, and we knew most people who had worked there over the years. I spent a lot of time in that place, with all the employees, talking to johnny, or just hanging out upstairs in the office. But out of all things that I remember, was that mural. I spent hours of my life staring at the painting, decyphering it, imagining what was going on in it while waiting for my mom or dad to get done with their haircuts. It was a major influence on me as a child, as was that entire salon. I miss 5CC very very much, and it breaks my heart to know that the painting was done on the bare walls of that building, which used to be a bank way back in the day. As far as I know, it couldn't be salvaged. MIllions gone. But memories for a lifetime. Cho will always be an influence on my life, and I truly hope one day I can tell him how much his work has meant to me.

@pikasnipe1 3 жыл бұрын

So many different people all in one, the voices he was using on JRE make so much more sense now.

@MYNAMEizCLARENCE 3 жыл бұрын

YES, Joe Rogan podcast brought me here and KZfaq recommended this to me. But aside from that I really , really dig this early-mid 2000’s artistic street style. I’ve always had a nostalgic love for that type of stuff. Can’t believe I’ve never heard of this guy until like a few days ago. I’ve got nothing but mad respect.

@arnold2428 3 жыл бұрын

David check out dvdasa, hard to find all the ep’s. But Dave’s had a lot of great west coast artists on. Check out Tim biskup and James Jean.

@papaspaulding 3 жыл бұрын

'Nostalgic love' for something from the 2000's? well that's me officially feeling old as fuck lol

@markirish7599 3 жыл бұрын

This guy is worth 200 million. Go dave well done

@MS-xu5vx 2 жыл бұрын

Crazy thing is he hated FB but was offered $60K or Facebook IPO Stocks in 2005 to do art work for their company building and he took the stock option as a gamble, and his FB stocks became worth $200m when FB went public in 2012, he sold part of his shares to secure some cash but he's still holding some today so his net worth has to be close to double now, because FB shares are worth about 5x more since 2012.

@wandererofthewasteland400 3 жыл бұрын

I remember tat whale off the 101. Those were great days.

@ryandz1234 3 жыл бұрын

David Choe is a truly gifted human being, he will go down as a legend in my book for sure!

@elijahyoon6803 3 жыл бұрын

I told my mom about this dude and she said, oh David yeah he’s cool I saw him and your uncles wedding, he’s been to our house before, I started yelling WHAT and just that’s pretty cool haha

@obijuankenobi6565 3 жыл бұрын

Hes the epitome of art.

@keylupveintisiete7552 3 жыл бұрын

I love the process "just leave it alone and go do something else" sometimes that's just what you need

@TheCmbtmedic1 3 жыл бұрын

JRE brought me here....great podcast w/ David.

@24-7Roadside.Assistance Жыл бұрын

5:42 mark is art. You can art too , life's been art . When you feel the emotions behind what your doing its art !! Keep doing , keep moving , keep growing Mad respect!!!

@deepspace28 2 жыл бұрын

Go David !!! Being an artist defines up and down … Godspeed

@CLOUD316 3 жыл бұрын

been a big fan of David Choe for the past decade i sometimes would eat somewhere outside of a restaurant in NYC and would instantly spot his Masterpieces plastered on walls around the city, def a very real human being and some of the craziest stories... he would be an excellent host replacing Anthony Bourdain on the next No Reservations.. those 2 guys together are something very special... may u find peace

@Lpm920 Жыл бұрын

Wow. I liked putting him in Bourdains role…. Would be great

@dizmop 2 жыл бұрын

I've just really discovered this side of David Choe, I just thought he was a guy who struck it lucky with Facebook years ago, almost a Meme or one of those lists you see "20 of the wealthiest artists " I never realised he was this good, Iget the impression that if he was to have died young he would've been world famous , media loves that kind of story

@raviolibandit8396 3 жыл бұрын

Who else here after Rogan??

@jesserodriguezjr.1962 3 жыл бұрын

this is a very interesting human

@sincere793tl 3 жыл бұрын

I am lmao

@dardalion3199 3 жыл бұрын

Pretty much everyone.

@Jamusictv 3 жыл бұрын

AK 47's and Buttholes! Yes!

@jumanjiwarlord 3 жыл бұрын

He stole a porno.

@619tbs 3 жыл бұрын

This dude is amazing. He doesnt take compliments well .neither do I. I feel very much in tune with his being . I want to live on the edge .all this everyday working for the man bullshit is nuts.

@MageAtYou Жыл бұрын

man youre so radical, see you in office on monday I need the report

@PO-si4ty 3 жыл бұрын

This is the realest guy I know.. his life and ideas are dope

@cjw333 15 жыл бұрын

I've always loved this piece thanks for posting it I hope Spark does more new segments like this in the future

@memphis2348 3 жыл бұрын

...

@naohrtpg-3d323 2 жыл бұрын

bro commented this 12 years ago 😳

@Samurai_aidan Жыл бұрын

so inspiring to me. Gosh my heart feels pumped

@SportsSenpai Жыл бұрын

God damn David has had and still having quite the life. Beautiful person and artist

@dillardparker7546 3 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite pieces he did was work on a series of wine crates that he did. I really extraordinary creative individual.

@charleswas0419 Жыл бұрын

UNBELIEVABLE PURE SKILLZ!👑

@jezebelle137 3 жыл бұрын

He's such a badass artist.

@cydre3401 3 жыл бұрын

After watching him on Joe Rogan, i just wanted to see how he looked like younger

@tbinyt 2 жыл бұрын

Love his voice

@Miguel3R 3 жыл бұрын

TALENT!!

@RHYGAR1 3 жыл бұрын

OMFG.HE IS BRILLIANT

@tripx3033 Жыл бұрын

I was in San Diego in 03 wow 02😂crazy Bro just a normal person who didn’t care what the local said and just did and people loved it. His work good 🔥 Saw him on joe but never knew how he was famous. And he’s a great person with alot of wealth so bless him! He deserve it , 20yr later I’m here watching crazy

@RyanMiguelMckie 3 жыл бұрын

such a remarkable human being

@kevindube7096 3 жыл бұрын

It’s amazing how eloquently he can paint lies with his words

@BlueprintsForHeadaches 3 жыл бұрын

Wdym

@kevindube7096 3 жыл бұрын

@luke croix nah he’s admitted that he lies a lot. I don’t say that as an insult, it’s just what it is.

@SwegDawgs 2 жыл бұрын

@@kevindube7096 yeah I saw another video where he talked about his arrest in Japan, and in that one, he said he was shoplifting and punched the security guard on his way out

@tomtheoharis2313 Жыл бұрын

His lunacy requires ever changing scenery. His fervent artistry is definitely tied to the emotional antagonist’s that were present in his early life(Dad & kids at school). He’s also a magnificent storyteller but has been proven to play a little fast & loose w/facts😅 He was the heir apparent to takeover for Bourdain but that fell apart after Tony died. LA riots had a big influence also as they occurred in & around Korea town.

@Glanthor88 3 жыл бұрын

wow he punches the board with paint on his hand. so artistic

@jconearth6686 3 жыл бұрын

...yeh, as artistic as a psychopathic schizophrenic

@micenichael 3 жыл бұрын

jconearth shut the fuck up goddamn bro

@keithjohnson1830 Жыл бұрын

Amazing artist

@Mute991 2 жыл бұрын

what a wonderfull insight to his younger days

@biterface03 Жыл бұрын

Brilliance in motion.

@rodizlike9871 3 жыл бұрын

I love David Cho

@ronniehdable 3 жыл бұрын

Talent!!!!!!

@bes03c 2 жыл бұрын

I have been a fan ever since he filmed Thumbs Up. He is such an interesting person.

@Elena-er7zp 6 жыл бұрын

Everytime I see something with him talking art, I think of his mom who expresses herself however she wants too.

@CG-11235spiral 2 жыл бұрын

Yes David... looking for ancient reptiles in the jungle... some of us jut wish we’d done halve of the things you did growing up.

@bobs.stevenson9704 5 жыл бұрын

this guys actually incredible all that and the facebook stock to go with it

@myrootsgraspNewsoil 3 жыл бұрын

How “The Newest Testament” works in 2020: KZfaq brought me to Joe Rogan who brought me to David Choe who brought me to Jesus.

@M29NT 3 жыл бұрын

I like your name - wish more people thought that way. It sure would end a lot of conflict and bring people together. peace

@myrootsgraspNewsoil 3 жыл бұрын

Baldr agreed! it’s only when we first can clearly see that we don’t know that we can truly know.

@euphoricmonk 3 жыл бұрын

Amen brother, people need to see God as a personal relationship and not the cliche "organized religion"

@jconearth6686 3 жыл бұрын

jeezus on a stick ! are you serious - go back to your closet !

@llFuturall 12 жыл бұрын

His thumbs up show on Vice is hilarious. Love this guy. His art is amazing!

@art_of_jing 3 жыл бұрын

Mad respect.

@wilsonjunior749 2 жыл бұрын

This dude is so underrated

@turtle19g 3 жыл бұрын

I'd say this one of the most interesting people I've seen on Joe's podcast

@novelaego2404 4 ай бұрын

this bay area is long gone

@jhoney6844 3 жыл бұрын

$300 million net worth baby. And just a rad rad dude

@mvx1874 3 жыл бұрын

J Honey holy shit

@renieshakur7409 3 жыл бұрын

He'll be worth billions once it is all said and done.

@KMTBLING 2 жыл бұрын

Wow man. He’s so Amazing so good.

@tuffgonggbUNCTION 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome,JAHBLESS, SOULJAH

@WorthyDirtyJersey 2 жыл бұрын

Now he's on top of the world 🌎

@The.Original.Potatocakes 2 жыл бұрын

Wow he’s extremely talented.

@juliafuchs9674 2 жыл бұрын

Creative genius

@SeanPetitt Жыл бұрын

Hear because of researching him from his role i the Netflix show BEEF. He played the character well. The character was meant to be not a good person that abuses and uses ppl. I am curious if he was attracted to that b/c he has met ppl like that in his life.

@nomahfuckah2080 Жыл бұрын

He IS that person in his life.

@arguekayes 3 жыл бұрын

David has always been such a dope fucking person honestly

@PPCCO. Жыл бұрын

That was amazing. I had no idea that this was the guy from Rogan.

@nitemirror1 Жыл бұрын

great clip

@zakur0hako 2 жыл бұрын

i was relieved when he eventually wore a mask

@dallassegno Жыл бұрын

i haven't seen a single piece i liked. so i thought i'd find something in this video. i didn't.

@TheBloxDev Жыл бұрын

Incredible

@Sungodpmoney 3 жыл бұрын

I feel super uncomfortable that I watched his rogan episode and now this pops up in my recommended 😂

@vincentwright6866 3 жыл бұрын

same here my friend same here

@reggie4prez 3 жыл бұрын

Plovyt Bikumbu dude same

@briansutton2176 3 жыл бұрын

Things i talk about in conversation will magically appear in my recommended. Your phone hears everything you say. Its very creepy.

@vincentwright6866 3 жыл бұрын

@@briansutton2176 thats true bro 2021 going to be more crazy

@codyzumr4040 3 жыл бұрын

Lol welcome to the age of google

@jersfreedom 3 жыл бұрын

Just met you , well not really , but I just found out you exist , of course I’m sure I’ve seen your art , but this is the first time seeing you and listening to you even if it’s on screen, love you man such a great artist, hope to be one, I’m a young amateur creator

@bobross4305 3 жыл бұрын

Go for it David

@CollinGill7 Жыл бұрын

what a legend

@ddunnguard7746 Жыл бұрын

Using what God gave you. Your own God brand has no need to fit any anyone’s mold but your own. You are a remarkable artist allowing yourself to explore human consciousness. Bravo! I love your creations. 💕🇺🇸🇨🇱

@Kenriots 2 ай бұрын

15 YEARS AGO!!?!? DAVID BRING IT BACK!

@triplehbkundertaker1 5 жыл бұрын

The GOAT 🐐

@artworks76 11 жыл бұрын

nice work.

@jagzfan33 12 жыл бұрын

I am so inspired.

@micahchristiansen678 3 жыл бұрын

most amazing person iv ever herd speak his stories of life and perspective blow me away just as much as his art

@jaradjones Жыл бұрын

Amen David Choe

@ThePhenomenon000 3 жыл бұрын

Legend

@dillonwhitten781 3 жыл бұрын

Dudes worth millions now smart dude taking stock in Facebook!

@thirstypilgrim97 2 жыл бұрын

History is full of God-Fearing artists... some of the best in fact.

@wa7saka 2 жыл бұрын

awesome

@microwaveengineer6681 3 жыл бұрын

That wall at the barber shop is so sick :0

@octaviof.g.7316 3 жыл бұрын

"really happening right now....part of the street scene" exactly the person he didnt care to impress

@archiguru 3 жыл бұрын

Whose here because everyone else is here?

@kledus420smith8 3 жыл бұрын

Fux that archie take sume strong acid do it for your country L S D

@kuddybeef777 3 жыл бұрын

I'm actually not here because you're here

@sebajun8601 3 жыл бұрын

Were all here for a reason.

@malakiamatias17 3 жыл бұрын

Joe Rogan brought me here.

@96komodo 3 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the David chow club 🤝🔥

@universalenergy2311 3 жыл бұрын

Me too.

@quierovermitubo 3 жыл бұрын

😎👍

@tysondouglas4766 3 жыл бұрын

Me too kind of. I didn’t know who David was before I saw him on Rogan and I don’t always watch a full episode but that was amazing. KZfaq just suggested this for me but this was excellent

@blissessentials524 3 жыл бұрын

Same i just watch the podcast

@spacedtime6597 3 жыл бұрын

David Choe is all action

@kqed 13 жыл бұрын

@hoyitsjoe Unfortunately, we don't have the resources to research this since it's from 2004. But we think it's either a song from the Fingerbangerz CD, "VI-R-US" or a song from the Skrunchface Projects CD, "3 Headed Monster."

@Erumyr 3 жыл бұрын

The CORONA virus

@victorrobin3292 3 жыл бұрын

6:10 HE FOUND JESUS HALLELUJAH

@arunwashere 3 жыл бұрын

knew him from "parts unknown" but that was not him. Rogan brought out the real side of him. God bless all

@catoner123 3 жыл бұрын

I want to be like this man!

@ETube37 3 жыл бұрын

So this is after he went looking for a dinosaur in the Congo right?...

@seanlanier5077 3 жыл бұрын

yup

@seanlanier5077 3 жыл бұрын

wait, idk I think. he was 19 then

@NickB-md1oy 3 жыл бұрын

He was 18 when he went to the Congo. Which was around 1994. This was several years after that

@NickB-md1oy 3 жыл бұрын

By several years, I mean about 15 years after he went to the Congo haha

@TheEnderBand 3 жыл бұрын

He’s gone twice, once a decade later after whe he was 19

@Pastenture 3 жыл бұрын

Dope

@RGE_Music 3 жыл бұрын

creatives in san jose!

@unknowncurrency Жыл бұрын

this is such an interesting dude, i wonder if there are still any of his work still here in san Jose??

@travelguide8711 3 жыл бұрын

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” -Albert Einstein

@varunbmtl082495 3 жыл бұрын

You just blew my mind.

@MrDank132 3 жыл бұрын

Ocd?

@swaranbains8326 2 жыл бұрын

Every 3 weeks I watch this to be normal

@cgmuno 3 жыл бұрын

Vice bought me here . Lol thumbs up america 👍🏽

@anthonycordero5733 9 ай бұрын

David cho real art baby...

@TravisChristopher 3 жыл бұрын

i wonder if this KQED piece sealed the deal on the FaceBook campus paintings...

@jayvang5076 3 жыл бұрын

he drew faces with soy sauce. i mean...how more talented can you get! thats crazy

@amymiller4438 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, this blew me away too when we were filming with him. His room was so chaotic, it was hard to know what to film and how to work it into the story but I'm so glad we captured that little scene.

@vaderetro264 3 жыл бұрын

Amy Miller You can't understand sarcasm, can you?

@adamking4246 2 жыл бұрын

@@amymiller4438 Glad you had that experience with him. I'm sure you will remember it. Life is just time and what we remember defines it. Bet it was crazy yet a blast. Thank's for sharing.