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This city has so many awesome artists. Fortunately for them, but unfortunately for the would-be art collectors among us, our local artists have been noticed by the rest of the world. Thanks to poketo you can still get a Damon Soule, Nathalie Roland, Jill Bliss or Brendan Monroe to have on you all times. The creative forces behind poketo, Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, came up with the idea of having artist create wallets. So simple. So brilliant. Now in their edition, these artist wallets are a nice way of making something ordinary quite beautiful. In fact, poketo’s wallets have something of a redemptive value: because of them we forgive poketo’s recent defection to the land of smog down south.
How did poketo get started?
We started by throwing art shows, exposing artists work to a broad audience, and wanting to do something special for the shows. We wanted to collaborate with the artists to make something that people coming to the shows could walk away with and then use everyday, which were the wallets. It was perfect, a functional and unique format for art. People could pick a favorite design, a favorite artist and rock it proudly, and say, 'this was designed by so and so'. After the first show, it was so much fun, we just kept it going.
Best selling product?
People love our wallets because they are so unique. I feel the artists we work with are underrepresented, but, I feel so strongly that the artists that have Poketo'ed are among the most talented in whatever style they create.
Favorite product you've sold?
Each of the designs is so rad. I respect and admire all of the artist that I have been so honored to work with. Each of the designs is special in that way.
Any tips for artists trying to make it in the SF art scene?
Stay in touch with people, organizations, projects that are related to your love. The more people know what you do, the better your chances are of doing something creative on a broad scale. We are always looking out for each other.
Name
poketo: Ted Vadakan & Angie Myung
Introduce yourself in one sentence
Hi!! We look crazy in this picture. I swear we are normal.
Age and occupation
I just turned 2 and we are Ted and Angie of Poketo (poketo.com), an art & apparel company/collaborative. We work with artists all over the world to create arty wallets and tee shirts. We work with some bay area favorites including Chris Duncan, Deth P Sun, Nathalie Roland, Suzanne Husky, Alika Cooper, Chris Pew, and Eamon Ore-Giron. Their designs are in boutiques and museum shops all over, including Giant Robot, MOCA LA, moca Chicago, Walker Art Center, Lazy Dog Paris, Doe San Francisco.
Home town
SF until last year, now I'm an L-Alien.
How much time have you spent in the bay area?
I spent seven years in San Francisco, working in the film/video at Bay Area Video Coalition. the best. non profit ever! They take on non-commercial work for pbs, the festival circuit, and museum world. I also started Poketo with my other half, Angie Myung. We were inspired and surrounded by the art scene in SF. We wanted to throw shows, expose artists, have a good time, create and be stoked. We threw our first poketo show in 2003 at build gallery to an amazing, positive response and it felt great because most of the artists we gathered were our good friends. and its still that way, we work with amazing artists, but, more than anything, old friends and new friends that are super positive and down to earth.
Favorite website
I just got turned on to myspace. okay, I’m a little slow. We just made a site at myspace.com/poketo. Other sites I go to often are
-headphonerecord.com
-urbancowfolks.com
-staticanddistance.blogspot.com
Favorite local business
Arizmendi Bakery in the Sunset, taco truck on Harrison and 20th, Aub Zam Zam bar in the Haight, BAVC
What I’m currently reading
magazines-Dwell, The Drama, Beautiful Decay, Readymade, Hot & Cold
Best deal in San Francisco
No Name sushi on Church and 15th. Good eats and good price.
Favorite mode of transportation
Bike. Now the car is pretty essential here in LA.
Best band or musician to come out of the bay area
Scrabbel
Favorite local hangout
Dolores Park
SF has the best:
Wandering city walks
You've never lived in SF until:
You’ve lived with a gang of people in a dining room or converted closet.
Favorite bay area politician of past or present:
I don't have one.
Now that Gavin Newsom is single, who are you going to set him up with?
Esther Hwang of esther.com
You can tell someone is a local here if:
Their uniform is a coat, sweater, or hoodie all year round.
SF would be soooo much better if only:
You could afford to live there!
Best burrito:
Cancun is my favorite taqueria
Best restaurant:
King of Thai on Clement St.
Best movie scene filmed in or about sf:
That one with J-Lo. Just kidding.
Best thing to do in the city in the summer:
potluck with friends outdoors
Favorite artist to come out of the bay area:
Eamon Ore Giron
Favorite author to come out of the bay area:
Lysley Tenorio
Place you always tell visitors to check out:
Tartine, Aub Zam Zam, King of Thai, Boogaloos
Favorite bridge in the area:
uuuumm, Golden Gate?
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in sf, what are you going to do?
Call friends, pick up a sandwich at Bi-Rite, go to Dolores Park, chat and chill out, dessert and coffee at Tartine.
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist:
I have sold my mattress. amazing.
I want all the SFists out there to know:
Poketo is your friend
Tell us a San Francisco story:
I chased a MUNI bus from Market/4th st to Hayes Valley. It never stopped for me. I finally caught it.
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We love our poketo wallets...too bad they wear out incredibly fast (I've got packing tape on mine now) and aren't designed to hold exactly the right type of stuff for me. But they look cool...
hey i got a Poketo wallet tonight fuh free at the Hot & Cold art auction and raffle at Juice Design. i love it! plus free Poketo button! my wallet is designed by Ted Vadakan. sweet. y'all represent.
Y'all aren't normal! don't try to pretend. ha ha ha. the Poketo Wallet collection has an increadable roster of artists which you can see on their site. making SF and Cali Proud.