1xRUN Thru Interview
T28 Recommissioned by Glenn Barr
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, when was it created solely for this release or was there an original piece created?
Glenn Barr: The original was created for Copro Gallery’s 20th Anniversary in 2013. I’ve been involved in many shows with them and did this piece specifically in celebration of a cool show I did together with Tim Biskup and the Coop based on the love of anime and Japanese monsters.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece with?
Glenn Barr: The original was painted in acrylic on board.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Glenn Barr: This was probably the 3rd or 4th time I had “reconstituted” Gigantor or T28 as I tend to call him. Since it was a 60’s cartoon, I always thought it would be cool to use the character as a leftover from another age and was turned into something else. I depicted a house made from his head once and another time I had turned him into a tank/vehicle … quite surreal actually.
1xRun: How long did the piece take to complete?
Glenn Barr: From creating the drawing, which is the hardest and most important part in creating a painting, to the finish piece, I think this one took about a week at the most.
1xRun: What do you feel is unique about this piece?
Glenn Barr: Tendrils shooting out form Gigantor’s chest is unique enough. But the Vegas/anime girl on his shoulder working the controls on his head is even better. I think I laughed out loud when I drew that.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Glenn Barr: It may be one of the last times I will use the T28 robot in a painting. I don’t want to ruin a good thing by using it too often. But never say never.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Glenn Barr: Action packed!
1xRun: As we hit 1000 releases, you have been one of the longest tenured artists here at 1xRUN. Having been here even before 1xRUN started, what has been your personal favorite release so far?
Glenn Barr: They are all my babies. The first print we did where I was kind of the experiment is close to the heart and has one of my favorite monsters in it “Robot Monster.” Well, he’s the most ridiculous anyway. It had a tragic waif in it with him and the piece was titled “Without Pity”.
1xRun: You recently headed down to the madness down in Miami for Art Basel, what were your thoughts on this year?
Glenn Barr: I saw a lot of amazing art and was really impressed with the satellite venues over Basel proper. Far more exciting art happening at Scope, outside murals and the like. I personally find the corporate blue chip conceptual art at Basel to be quite dull.
1xRun: What are your plans for the next 2-3 months here?
Glenn Barr: I have a solo show in March with the Merry Karnowski Gallery in LA. A mini solo show at The Cotton Candy Machine in Brooklyn this July. I’ll be curating another Lyric Show at Inner State Gallery this fall in Detroit and a big solo show with them in November… Lots of work to do this summer. When do I get a real vacation?
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Glenn Barr: Website – Instagram@glbarr – Facebook
-1xRUN