Liz Ohanesian

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What a Riot!: An Earthquake, Two Mudslides and a Girl on Fire

Liz Ohanesian
From concert posters to movie advertisements to just about everything connected to Disneyland, many of the brightest moments in 20th-century graphic design have emanated from California. Designer and CalArts professor Louise Sandhaus has spent years exploring the state’s aesthetic contributions, and her book of Earthquakes, Mudslides, Fires & Riots: California......
Fans lined up well before the opening of Q2's Akira Toriyama tribute to catch of glimpse of art inspired by Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

Manga Series Dragon Ball Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Liz Ohanesian
It starts as many stories do, with young people ready to embark on an adventure. In Dragon Ball, though, the adventures last for years, encompassing two manga series, multiple anime series, several movies and video games and a lot of other related items. When it comes to comics and animation......
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Dragon Ball 30th Anniversary Tribute

Liz Ohanesian
Thirty years ago, manga artist Akira Toriyama embarked upon a hero’s journey with his warrior-in-training Goku. The result, Dragon Ball, became a global phenomenon that launched multiple TV series and films. Decades later, the franchise remains one of the staples of anime conventions. Even the critically reviled, live-action flick Dragonball:......
Emilio Labarcon teaches KaTa Tapado at Michael Mckenzie's Filipino Martial Arts studio

The Fascinating World of Filipino Martial Arts

Liz Ohanesian
There's an odd, slightly unpleasant smell passing through a conference room inside the Los Angeles Hilton. We are told that it's the wood. When two sticks rub together, you can build a fire. When two thin, wooden poles go at it in battle, you get the smell of a singe......
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Bent-Con

Liz Ohanesian
The premiere LGBT pop culture convention, Bent-Con, returns to Burbank this weekend for three days of art, entertainment and education. Play some games, or check out how-to panels on subjects like puppetry and writing genre fiction. Hit up the artist reception and check out the convention’s gallery, featuring Clive Barker’s......
Michael McMaster operates Wall-E; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

The Amazing Robots of Stan Lee's Comikaze Convention

Liz Ohanesian
If you have attended a pop culture convention, chances are that you have run into R2-D2. Maybe you have seen several R2s rolling around the show floor as convention-goers stop to take photos or video. On Sunday afternoon at Stan Lee's Comikaze, one of those astromech droids busted out the......
Hello Kitty Con; Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Hello Kitty Con Takes Over Little Tokyo

Liz Ohanesian
To celebrate Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary on Nov. 1, Sanrio put together a four-day convention at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. With art, entertainment, food, fashion and, of course, shopping, Hello Kitty Con was an inspired display of every way this famous character has infiltrated the lives of her fans......
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Comikaze Expo

Liz Ohanesian
Looking for the perfect place to show off your Black Widow costume? Stan Lee’s fourth annual Comikaze Expo launches on Halloween at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At this pop culture extravaganza, learn how to pose for cosplay photos or get a crash course in steampunk. Check out a screening......
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Hello Kitty Con 2014

Liz Ohanesian
After 40 — yes, 40 — years of cooing and obsessing over Sanrio’s adorable mascot, Hello Kitty is getting her own fan convention. The first Hello Kitty Con takes place Halloween weekend at MOCA’s Geffen Contemporary. The festivities launch Thursday morning with a packed schedule of panels and demo sessions......
Credit: Courtesy of Jon Neill

How a Hollywood Artist Became a Champion Pumpkin Carver

Liz Ohanesian
In the weeks leading up to his appearance at Cowtoberfest in Fair Oaks, Indiana, Jon Neill started training. He ran daily, clocking in around five-and-a-half miles per workout. He dropped 20 pounds, which he says gave him the energy to take on the gig. Also, running got his arms moving......