Tag: pop culture

Yoda spotted in East Village!

During my afternoon walk through East Village I had to do a double take. Had I stepped into a galaxy far, far away?

Across the wide Space 4 Art parking lot I spotted Yoda!

I took the above photo from a distant sidewalk, then greatly enlarged the image and sharpened it. Hopefully you can see how cool this mural appears in person!

Yoda is spray painted on a nondescript building whose other sides are home to a variety of murals. Check out an awesome Mechanical Shark here, and other works of super creative street art here.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Photos from 2019 San Diego Comic-Con!

Last year I took hundreds of photos while walking around 2019 San Diego Comic-Con. It’s something I’ve done for many summers now. Living downtown near the action is definitely a lot of fun!

2020 Comic-Con is still scheduled as of this moment, but the worldwide coronavirus pandemic has made the future of conventions and all public events uncertain. Hopefully the pandemic will subside by July and everyone can enjoy another great Comic-Con!

Meanwhile, I thought it would be fun to post some random photos from last year. Most are in no particular order.

Enjoy!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

WonderCon art at the Comic-Con Museum!

Another super cool exhibition opened this evening in Balboa Park at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum!

Sense of Wonder: The Art of WonderCon Anaheim features a gallery full of original artwork used for the covers of WonderCon program books. Many top comic artists have created these covers over the years, and visitors this evening were admiring sketches, thumbnails and finished pieces by the likes of Jim Lee, Dan Jurgens, and many others.

Before everyone filtered into the gallery, the 2020 WonderCon program book cover by artist Jen Bartel, winner in 2019 of an Eisner Award, was revealed: a stunning rendition of Wonder Woman with her golden Lasso of Truth! There was applause all around!

This great exhibition will be open to public on select dates through May 31, 2020.  If you’re in San Diego and love either WonderCon or Comic-Con, or if you have kids who love superheroes–particularly DC characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman–don’t miss it!

Follow the Comic-Con Museum’s Facebook page here for more info!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Swedish Chef makes pizza in Normal Heights!

The Swedish Chef must be taking a break from The Muppet Show. Because he’s been spotted at Mama Mia Pizza Restaurant in Normal Heights!

Or perhaps it’s his blond brother. I can’t say for certain.

I approached the famous chef and said “Herney ferney börk börk börk.”

He did not seem amused. He merely stared back at me through his bushy eyebrows.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Ron Burgundy on the San Diego Trolley!

The Ron Burgundy Podcast.
The Ron Burgundy Podcast.

For many months now Ron Burgundy has been seen around town on the San Diego Trolley. Yesterday morning I happened to spot him!

A trolley wrap that promotes the popular Ron Burgundy podcast features a couple of funny quotes, as you can see!

Everyone knows Ron Burgundy from the classic comedy Anchorman, starring Will Ferrell. And everyone associates Anchorman with San Diego. So why should anyone be surprised to find him on a trolley?

San Diego. I'm here for the good times and because I'm under house arrest.
San Diego. I’m here for the good times and because I’m under house arrest.
The first podcast in America.
The first podcast in America.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Amazing life-size cardboard superhero sculptures!

Wow!

Did you step inside the Comic-Con Museum during 2019 December Nights? If you did, you saw an exhibit that was absolutely amazing!

Young artists Connor and Bauer Lee have created fantastic life-size cardboard sculptures of popular Marvel and DC superheroes, plus various Pixar and Star Wars movie characters!

I believe I recognized: Groot, Black Manta holding a mace, a tiny X-wing starfighter, Wall-E, a gigantic Hulkbuster armor (under construction), Thor’s Stormbreaker hammer, Iron Man, C-3PO, R2-D2, Baby Groot, Wonder Woman, plus other fantastic creations including several superhero masks.

The two brothers have been building these cardboard models for many years. I spoke to Connor briefly and he explained that they select an image of a popular character, blow it up, then begin to craft the sculpture based on that initial design. I asked how long it might take to finish the enormous, extremely complex Hulkbuster armor sculpture you see in my photos, and he said about a year.

According to the Cardboard Superheroes website: We hold free workshops for kids in an effort to promote the arts for youth as we’ve see funding for the arts being cut in school and are working to provide an alternative that is free and fun for kids.

That’s definitely a super cool and inspirational project! I’m sure young students everywhere would love to be creative and make their favorite characters with simple cardboard!

I hope local schools take advantage of what appears to be an awesome opportunity. For more info, you can contact Cardboard Superheroes at their website here.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

The art of Horrorgasm at Comic-Con Museum!

Eggshell Jack Skellington, by artist Melody De Los Cobos. Inspired by the film The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Eggshell Jack Skellington, by artist Melody De Los Cobos. Inspired by the film The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Check out all this great pop art by local San Diego artists! There’s a little bit of horror and a little bit of Christmas!

All of these pieces are by the artists of Horrorgasm and were on display at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park during 2019 December Nights.

Horrorgasm is a cool art event that is held annually in late October. According to the Horrorgasm website, it’s a “one-night-only celebration of horror and all things creepy, spooky and macabre.” In 2019 Horrorgasm was held in North Park, and featured “an Art gallery, an artisan marketplace, live performances, live readings of chilling tales, and our version of an escape room, the Horrorgasm Survival Chamber.”

As I wandered about the exhibit, I was pleased to once again meet artist Melody De Los Cobos, one of the founders of Horrorgasm. Last month we spoke briefly during a Love City Heights mural painting event, where she was mentoring a young artist. I blogged about that here!

Some great popular movies are represented in this collection of original artwork. A few humorous pieces had me smiling!

To learn more about Horrorgasm, visit their website here.

Horrorgasm is an annual art event. In 2019 it celebrated Monsters, Maniacs, The Paranormal, and the Surreal.
Horrorgasm is an annual San Diego art event. In 2019 it celebrated Monsters, Maniacs, The Paranormal, and the Surreal.
They have a cool comic book. Tales of Horrorgasm!
They have an awesome comic book. Tales of Horrorgasm!
One half of The Ballbreaker Suite, by artist Autumn Sno, inspired by the movie Scrooged. Pictured is Carol Kane's the Ghost of Christmas Present.
The Ballbreaker Suite, by artist Autumn Sno, inspired by the movie Scrooged. Pictured is Carol Kane’s the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Creep in the Corner by artist Jennifer Cooksey. Mixed media sculpture and acrylic. A sinister Elf on the Shelf.
Creep in the Corner, by artist Jennifer Cooksey. Mixed media sculpture and acrylic. It’s a sinister Elf on the Shelf!
Stripe by artist Jennifer Cooksey. Mixed media sculpture. Based on the horror comedy film Gremlins.
Stripe, by artist Jennifer Cooksey. Mixed media sculpture. Based on the horror comedy film Gremlins.
Throne of Lies by artist Avaline Ai. Based on a memorable line from the holiday film Elf.
Throne of Lies, by artist Avaline Ai. A meme from a humorous quote in the holiday film Elf.
How Deadpool Stole Christmas, by artist Marc Vuletich. Acrylic paint on canvas. Deadpool enters Peter Parker's home in an homage to How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
How Deadpool Stole Christmas, by artist Marc Vuletich. Acrylic paint on canvas. Deadpool enters Peter Parker’s home in an homage to How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Kevin McCallister, Then, by artist Nyxie Von Rose. Based on the classic holiday film Home Alone.
Kevin McCallister, Then, by artist Nyxie Von Rose. A famous pose from the classic holiday film Home Alone.
Christmas Ale, by artist Tara Alvarado. Acrylic on wood. A beer label inspired by The Spirit of Christmas Past from A Christmas Carol.
Christmas Ale, by artist Tara Alvarado. Acrylic on wood. A beer label inspired by The Spirit of Christmas Past from A Christmas Carol.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

The Art of Shag at the Comic-Con Museum!

Today I enjoyed a really great exhibition at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum. The popular artist Josh Agle, who goes by the name Shag, has a big gallery of super cool artwork on display free to the public through this weekend!

I must admit I was unfamiliar with the name Shag, but once I saw the artwork I recognized his distinctive style. And now I’m a big fan! His snappy colorful images have a 1960’s commercial art feel, and many of the pieces celebrate popular entertainment and scenes from that era. His sly, often subversive “Mid-Century Modern aesthetic” is all in good fun.

Shag’s art often depicts Hollywood stars raising glasses at decadent cocktail parties. Many of his images include exotic Tikis. He creates vivid, snazzy scenes that invoke a sense of what is referred to as retro decadence.

Some of his pieces pay tribute to classic cartoons and Disney. As you can see in my photos, he also re-imagines popular movies like Planet of the Apes, Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, comic books like Spider-Man, and television shows like the Twilight Zone and Batman.

If you’d like to see some really cool art, definitely head over to Balboa Park tomorrow and check out the Art of Shag! The free exhibition will be open 10 am to 4 pm in the Federal Building, which used to house the Hall of Champions, and which is destined to become the Comic-Con Museum in 2021.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Comic-Con cosplay photos and more on Pinterest!

If you like to use Pinterest, you might enjoy checking out a bunch of pins that I just now added to my San Diego Comic-Con Pinterest page!

The special page now contains almost 450 cosplay and other fun photographs that I’ve taken while walking around Comic-Con during the past five years!

To see all these cool photographs in one place, click here!

One more fun walk outside 2019 Comic-Con!

Krypto the Superdog has entered South Park during 2019 Comic-Con.
Krypto the Superdog has entered South Park during 2019 Comic-Con.

It’s Sunday, the final day of 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

This morning I took a leisurely walk around downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter and the convention center.

No suffocating crowds, and more relaxed…but less cosplay.

I saw lots of families out enjoying a fun day!

It's Sunday morning at Comic-Con, and pop culture fans are heading to the San Diego Convention Center.
It’s Sunday morning at Comic-Con, and pop culture fans are heading toward the San Diego Convention Center.
As I walked up MLK Promenade, these nice Amazon Prime Video ladies handed me literature concerning upcoming shows.
As I walked up MLK Promenade, these nice Amazon Prime Video ladies handed me literature concerning upcoming shows.
I got into the Amazon activation with ease, but then discovered the attractions within had waits of up to two hours!
I got into the Amazon activation with ease, but then discovered the attractions within had waits of up to two hours!
I watched a mock fight up on the colorful central structure.
I watched a mock fight up on the colorful central structure.
People could don fairy wings and take flight for a Carnival Row photo.
People could don fairy wings and take flight for a Carnival Row photo.
This structure contains the Carnival Row attraction. In an earlier blog post I surmised it was for The Boys.
This structure contains the Carnival Row attraction. In an earlier blog post I surmised it was for The Boys.
A cool area at the Amazon offsite where people can relax. I enjoyed my free water and churros.
A cool area at the Amazon offsite where people can relax. I enjoyed my free water and churros.
As I walked back down MLK Promenade, I turned down these strange jelly-filled donuts, however.
As I walked back down MLK Promenade, however, I politely turned down these peculiar jelly-filled donuts.
I saw Dumbledore last year, too. I guess rumors of his demise are exaggerated.
I saw Dumbledore last year, too. I guess rumors of his demise are exaggerated.
Wonder Woman cosplayer strikes a pose.
Wonder Woman cosplayer strikes a heroic pose.
Everyone was photographing Batgirl!
Everyone was photographing Batgirl up on the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge!
What we do in the shadows...or on our phones.
What we do in the shadows…or on our phones.
Sunday morning 2019 Comic-Con. Walking behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Sunday morning 2019 Comic-Con. Walking behind the San Diego Convention Center.
The Hot Wheels truck!
The Hot Wheels truck!
Awesome Wonder Woman and Hawkman cosplay!
Awesome Wonder Woman and Hawkman cosplay!
Taking photos in the Dragon Ball Z activation.
Taking photos in the Dragon Ball Z activation.
A bit of cosplay on Sunday, but not as much as Saturday.
I observed examples of cosplay on Sunday, but not nearly as much as Saturday.
Joker gives me an evil look.
Joker gives me an evil look.
Here come some snacks.
Here come some snacks.
They were doing some sort of filming in the FX Fearless Forum.
They were doing some sort of filming in the FX Fearless Forum.
A banana posed for a photo.
A banana posed for a photo.
A fanatic demonstrates their unquestioned FAITH IN GODZILLA.
A fanatic demonstrates their unquestioned FAITH IN GODZILLA.
Jack Skellington cosplay, from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Jack Skellington cosplay, from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Does this mean I'm NOT supposed to believe The Twilight Zone?
Does this mean I’m NOT supposed to believe The Twilight Zone?
These guys at the 91X radio table in the Interactive Zone smiled for some strange guy taking pictures.
These guys at the 91X radio table in the Interactive Zone smiled for some strange guy taking pictures.
I spied Popeye nearby.
I spied Popeye nearby.
This guy was singing his heart out doing Carpool Karaoke.
This guy was singing his heart out doing Carpool Karaoke.
Is this knight from Game of Thrones?
Is this knight from Game of Thrones?
An artist had spray paint art creations on the grass by a walkway.
An artist had spray paint art creations on the grass by a walkway.
Lots of criminals are lining up at Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Lots of criminals are lining up at Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
This fellow likes dolls it would seem.
This fellow collects dolls it would seem.
New employees of the Superstore get photographed.
New employees of the Superstore get photographed.
This particular Darth Maul doesn't look so tough. Just saying.
This particular Darth Maul doesn’t look so tough. Just saying.
A relatively tranquil Sunday morning outside Comic-Con. Another beautiful San Diego day!
A relatively tranquil Sunday morning outside Comic-Con. Another beautiful San Diego day!
Basketballs were flying madly at the FOX Fan Fair.
Basketballs were flying madly at the FOX Fan Fair.
As I headed up Fifth Avenue for home, I was lucky to get this cool cosplay shot.
As I headed up Fifth Avenue for home, I was lucky to get this cool cosplay shot.
And some Ghostbusters, too.
And some Ghostbusters, too.
And this Angry Bird!
And this Angry Bird!

Tomorrow it’s back to normal, everyday, ordinary life.

Now it’s time for a nap!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!