You probably sent your friend an emoji today without even realizing it. Emoji is a Japanese word—"e" meaning picture and "moji" meaning character image. The smileys on your phone are examples. Emoji art can get pretty creative, going way beyond simple emotional faces.
Tucson artist/rapper Isaiah Toothtaker (the Weekly profiled him on March 21, 2013) is releasing a book of emoji art called That's Not Relevant. Toothtaker owns the tattoo shop Staring Without Caring and also grew up in Tucson. His latest album, Your Majesty, is reviewed on page 28 in this issue.
That's Not Relevant is 72 full-color pages and is described as a "rap, tattoo and pop-culture inspired book." It was published by Spork Press, whose books are handmade.
The book-release party takes place at 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 10, at MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave. Also appearing are poets Joshua Marie Wilkinson, who teaches at the UA, and Zachary Schomburg who lives in Portland, Oregon, and runs Octopus Books.
The event is free for MOCA members and $5 for nonmembers. Nonmembers will receive a coupon for the book.
