Art Etc. – 3/2/2011

Highlights

• Enjoy dancing to live music in the International District featuring Anthony Cordova Social Dance Band with Steve Yamasaki on sax, A.C. on vocals and congas, and special vocal guest, Tess Guerzon. Free dance lessons begin at 8 p.m. and social dancing will continue from 8:30 – 11:30 p.m. The event takes place on March 4 and April 1 at NVC Memorial Hall at 1212 South King. For more information, call (206) 794-5009.
• Lee Chang-Dong’s film entitled “Poetry” won an award for “Best Screenplay” at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. The film (with a delightful performance by veteran actress
• Yun Jung-Hee in the main role) tells the story of an aging woman who takes a poetry class on a whim and finds it slowly changing her life. “Poetry” opens March 11 for one week at the Varsity Theatre on 4329 University Way NE. For more information call (206) 781-5755 or visit www.kino.com.
• Choreographer Donald Byrd and local composer Byron Au Yong present “The Mother of Us All”, reflecting on Africa and its relationships. This event takes place at the Moore Theatre from March 3–5. For details, visit www.spectrumdance.org.
• Ceramic artist Wanxin Zhang responds to China’s unearthed army of terra cotta soldiers with life-size ceramics of his own. “Warhol/Mao” is just one of many contemporary responses by this artist in “Wanxin Zhang: A Ten Year Survey” at Bellevue Arts Museum located on 510 Bellevue Way N.E. This exhibit runs through August 4. For more information call (425) 519-0770.
• “Shadows of a Fleeting World: Pictorial Photography and the Seattle Camera Club” looks at the primarily Japanese American Seattle Camera Club and the role it played in the pictorial style. With over 100 works by Seattle Camera Club members, Dr. Kyo Koike, Frank Kunishige, Iwao Matsushita and Imogene Cunningham will be presented through May 8. The exhibition is curated by Henry Chief Curator Elizabeth Brown and presented in partnership with the University of Washington Press and Special Collections at the University of Washington Libraries. The Henry Art Gallery is located on 15th Ave. NE & NE 4lst Street. Call (206) 543-2280 or go to www.henryart.org for more information.
• “Mother in Another Language” by Taniya Hossain, a new play about clashing cultures runs through March 6, 2011 at the Seattle ACT Theatre, located at 700 Union St., Seattle. Call (206) 292-7676 or visit www.acttheatre.org or www.reacttheatre.org for more information.
• “RED” is a new show by Pakistani artist Humaira Abid that explores the symbolic meanings of that color such as love, passion, anger and death. Using carved wood sculptures and miniature paintings, she examines the roles of women in social/religious culture and the state of a changing homeland. The artist talks about her work and contemporary art in Pakistan on April 16 from noon until 3 p.m. The exhibit will be on view from March through April at the ArtXchange Gallery at 512 First Ave. S. For more information, call (206) 839-0377.
• Frye Art Museum presents a new exhibit by Degenerate Art Ensemble led by Haruko Nishimura and Joshua Kohl held March 18 through July 5. The show features props, photos, videos from past performances with various live mini-events and artist tours throughout the run of the exhibit with the premiere of a new work entitled “The Red Shoes” (set for performance on May 12 through June 2). The museum is located at 704 Terry Ave. Call (206) 622-9250 or visit www.fryeart.org for more information.
• IDEA Odyssey is a new visual arts collective and gallery space in Chinatown founded by Carina A. del Rosario, Minh Carrico and SuJ’n Chon. Visual artists interested in exhibiting and joining the collective are invited to attend informational meeting. For details, email [email protected].

Visual Arts

• “I Waited a Long Time For You” is the title for Mugi Takei’s series of personal drawings, on view March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cullom Gallery. Artists and poets of Seattle’s Pilot Books as part of the 2nd Annual Small Press Festival will be in conversation on March 24 at 7 p.m. at the Cullom Gallery, located at 603 S. Main Street. Call (206) 340-8000 for more information.
• Local artist Romson Bustillo shows his media print collages in a group show of ten local artists entitled “The Chair Project” now on view at Seattle Design Center located at 5701 Sixth Ave. S. For details go to http://romson.tumblr.com.
• “East Visits West” is a two-person show featuring paintings by Wen Zhenfei and Chen Xiangbo. The showing runs through March 6 at the Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery at 800 Bellevue Way N.E. #111 in Bellevue. Call (425) 827-2822 or visit www.gunnarnordstrom.com for more information.
• The work of Diem Chau is included in a group show entitled “The Mysterious Content of Softness”. The show brings together national and international artists in an exploration of the transformative power of fiber and its connection to the human body. Chau gives the Free First Friday Lecture on Friday, March 4. Chau’s work is on view through June 26 at the Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE. Call (425) 519-0770 or go to www.bellevuearts.org for more information.
• Saya Moriyasu is part of a group show entitled “Wild/Life” that explores twelve artists of the PNW with their visions of mammals, birds and sea life. A group show entitled “Together – Selections from the Permanent Collection” includes work by Seattle-born artist Frank Okada and is at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Connor through March 2, located on 121 S. First St., La Connor. Call (360) 466-4446 or go to www.museumofnwart.org for more information. Moriyasu is also in a group show entitled (Be)Longing as part of the “Emerging Curator Initiative” running from March 11 – April 2 at Kirkland Art Center at 620 Market St. Call (425) 822-7161 for more information. Together with Nicholas Nyland and Maki Tamura, Moriyasu has also created a collaborative installation work entitled “A Clearing in the Clouds”. Both of these works may be viewed at Seattle’s ACT Theatre at 700 University Street.
• Lele Barnett, who recently curated an interesting show for Wing Luke has put a group show together entitled “Forecast” in which she features 36 artists and eight scientists. This show is free and runs through April 9 at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, on the second floor. Call (206) 694-5000 for more information.
• The art of Tina Koyama in the group show entitled “Connectivity” is on view through April 10 at Oasis Gallery, located on 3644 Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle. Call (206) 547-5177 or go to www.oasisinseattle.com for more information.
• An exhibit entitled “History of Pacific Northwest Japanese Restaurants” is on view until June 1, 2011 at the Northwest Nikkei Museum in the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington. Included are excerpts from interviews with those who owned, worked and grew up with the restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. The Japanese Cultural and Community Center is located at 1414 S. Weller. Call (206) 568-7114 or visit www.jcccw.org for more information.
• KOBO Gallery at HIGO has a show of ceramics by Sam Scott whose functional forms are defined by simplicity. His work is available for viewing until March 6. KOBO Gallery at HIGO is located at 604 South Jackson St., Seattle. Call (206) 381-3000 or www.koboseattle.com for more information.
• “Wang Huaiqing: A Painter’s Painter in Contemporary China” traces the artist’s development through 23 innovative works. Recognized as one of China’s leading contemporary artists for his ability to blur the line between abstract and naturalistic art, his work is on view through July 17. Lectures on Central Asia sponsored by the Gardner Center take place Saturdays through April 16 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Topics are “Crafting Culture in Soviet Central Asia: Writers, Actors and Ordinary People” on March 5, “Religious Pluralism of Central Asia” on March 12, “Central Asian Nomads Today: Musical Storytelling” (9:30 – 11 a.m.) and “Esoteric Buddhism in Japan: The Lineage of Shingon” (11 a.m. – 12 p.m.) both on March 19, and “Colorful Ikat Textile Design and Central Asian Aesthetics” on March 26. For your future file, coming up March 25, 26 and 27 is “Aaina- 6th South Asian Womens Focus” with Yoni Ki Baat (inspired by “Vagina Monologues”), films, artists, conversations, performances and more. Go to www.tasveer.org for details. All of these events are at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 Prospect Ave. Call (206) 654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.
• “Born Into Identity: The Asian Pacific American Adoptee Experience” includes 13 APA Adoptee artists and oral histories from community members explore the complexities of being an APA adoptee, which is on view through June 19. “Sacred Seattle” is an exhibit that traces spaces, places and paths where Asian Pacific Americans both belong to and long for the sacred. This will be on view through March 20.  “Home Revealed: Artists of the Chinatown-International District” remains on view till April 17, 2011. “Cultural Confluence: Urban People of Asian & Native American Heritages” will also be on view. The historic legacies and contemporary lives of people who are both Asian and Native come together for the first time in this exhibit and is on view through Sept. 18. An exhibit entitled “New Years All Year Round” that looks at Asian traditions for the New Year from various Asian cultures will be on view through June 26. Go to www.wingluke.org/2011newyear for a chance to win travel for two on Jet Blue airlines through a Coloring Contest. “Celebrate Lunar New Year” with the artists of “Home Revealed” on March 12 from 3 – 5 p.m. See a special screening of “16 Square Blocks” and learn how the artists in the show create their art. Family Fun Day on March 19 begins at 1 p.m. and features artist Romson Regarde Bustillo who will show you how to create Chinese zodiac trading cards. Experience the Museum’s historic hotel tour at a discount on the first Thursday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. with free gallery admission. On March 25, party it up with artists from “Home Revealed” with live music, performances and refreshments for people 21 and over. Local calligraphy artist Chiyo Sanada will give a workshop on Japanese calligraphy on March 26 from 3 – 5 p.m. For details on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
• “New Gifts And Acquisitions: Collections Selections Two” is a group show with much of the featured art coming via a donation of the Safeco Art Collection to the Washington Arts Consortium. This show includes work by George and Gerard Tsutakawa and will be on view through June 5. Whatcom Museum at the Lightcatcher, 121 Prospect St., Bellingham, WA. Call (360) 778-8930 for more information.
• “Northwest Atmospheric Ceramics” is a group show by 17 regional artists including Hiroshi Ogawa, which will be on view through April 2 at Gonzaga University’s Jundt Art Museum at 502 E. Boone Ave. Call (509) 313-6613 or visit www.gonzaga.edu/jundt for more information.
• The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art presents “The Yongsoo Huh Collection”, a cross-section of work by contemporary Korean artists. A show entitled “The Art of Japanese Buddhism” is also on view at 1430 Jordan Lane on the University of Oregon campus. Call (541) 346-3027 or visit www.jsma.uoregon.edu for more information.
• “TAKEN: FBI” is a new exhibit that examines the experiences of Japanese American families in the Portland area imprisoned by the FBI and Department of Justice shortly after the bombing at Pearl Harbor. On view at the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center through May 30, 2011. A series of monthly programs will be held to accompany the exhibit. For details, go to www.oregonikkei.org.
• “Perimeter: We Live Here Now” is a group exhibit of foreign-born artists including work by Sang-ah Choi, Una Kim, Horatio Law, Akihiko Miyoshi, Motoya Nakamura, Ying Tan and more. This collaborative exhibit shows at five college galleries in the Portland area including Marylhurst University’s Art Gym and runs through March 20 at Marylhurst’s Art Gym. Call (503) 244-6111 or go to www.spot.pcc.edu/helzerartgallery or www.marylhurst.edu/theartgym for more information.
• Seattle-raised artist Roger Shimomura’s show entitled “Shadows of Minidoka” through March 12 at Lawrence Arts Center at 940 New Hampshire St. in Lawrence, Kansas. Visit lawrenceartscenter.org for details.

Performing Arts

• TEMPEI was into music as a child but became rebellious in his early teens, only to drop out of high school and lose interest. Working as a laborer, he realized music was his real passion. Graduating from Osaka University of Arts as a piano major, he went on to release two albums “Tempeism” and “Tsubasa”. Influenced by classical, rock and jazz, his original style has captivated audiences in Japan. He makes his Seattle debut on March 19 at 8 p.m. at Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. Call (206) 215-4747 or go http://tempei.com for more information.
• Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra under the conduction of Stephen Rogers Radcliffe will present a March 13 concert of Brahms and Stravinsky at 3 p.m. in Benaroya Hall downtown. Purchase tickets online at www.syso.org or call (206) 362-2300.
• Le Yin stars as Albrecht in the International Ballet Theatre production of the ballet entitled “Giselle” March 11, 12 & 13 at Meydenbauer Theatre at 11100 N.E. 6th St. in Bellevue. Go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/121705 or call (800) 838-3006 for details.
• Northwest Puppet Center presents the Yang Family Puppets performing a Chinese folktale, “Adventures of Monkey King” about a mischievous monkey with superpowers. March 5 – 20. Show times are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends. Call (800) 838-3006 or go to www.nwpuppet.org for more information.
• Portland State University Center for Japanese Studies will host the only West Coast performance by the prestigious Kashu-juku Noh Theater from Kyoto, Japan set for March 16, 2011. They will be performing one of the centerpieces of their repertoire entitled “Aoi no Ue (Lady Aoi)” adapted from Lay Murasaki’s “The Tale of Genji.” For details, visit: www.pdx.edu/cjs.
• Get ready for the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival set for April 1 – 3. Go to seattlecenter.com/festal for details.

Film/Media

• Benazir Bhutto was the first woman to lead a Muslim nation, Pakistan and Duane Baughman has directed a new documentary film on this fascinating woman and world leader. The film opens March 4 at the Varsity Theatre on 4329 University Way N.E and runs for one week. Go to www.bhuttothefilm.com or call (206) 781-5755 for details.

The Written Arts

• The Elliott Bay Book Company now situated in their cozy new digs on Capitol Hill has readings almost every day of the week. All readings at Elliott Bay unless otherwise noted. “Flood” (Tia Chucha Press) is an exciting new book of poems by L.A.-based Korean American poet Chiwan Choi that tells the story of an immigrant family struggling to survive under the harsh glare of today’s American reality. Choi reads in Seattle with local poet Donmee Choi at Elliott Bay Book Company on Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. Visit www.tiachucha.com for more information. For Elliott Bay events, go to www.elliottbaybook.com. “Poetry and Open Mic Night at Bush Garden” featuring L.A. based poet Chiwan Choi and friends presented by Sahngnoksoo will be Sunday, March 6 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Robin Suhyung Park. Sign up for the Open Mic starting at 5:45 p.m., and prepare for karaoke, which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Art News/Opportunities

• Washington Lawyers for the Arts presents “Employment Issues for
• Filmmakers”, the third in a series of three workshops for filmmakers on March 10 from 12– 1:30 p.m. at Foster Pepper located on 1111 Third Ave. #3400. The second event is the “Annual Evening Workshop for Artists and the Attorneys Representing Them” set for March 15 at 7 p.m. at Northwest Film Forum at 1515 12th Ave. Registration begins at 6 p.m. but to register beforehand, call 800-838-3006. To RSVP, call 206-328-7053 and for more information visit thewla.org or call (206) 328-7053.
• Local composer and performance artist Byron Au Yong was one of 31 artists invited to a residency at Sundance Institute’s Theatre Program at BANFF Arts Center. He will work on the theatre piece, “Stuck Elevator”, based on a true story of a Chinese takeout deliveryman trapped in a Bronx elevator for over 81 hours. For details, email [email protected].
• Seattle-raised singer/songwriter and International Examiner contributing writer, Emi Meyer will have a new album out entitled “ Suitcase of Stones”. It comes out March 9 in Japan and May 9 in the United States.
• The Filipino Community of Seattle will offer free art workshops in various genre (photography, poetry and songwriting) to high school youth. Workshop dates are March 15, 22, 29, April 5 & 12. You must register by March 10, 2011. Go to fcskultura.wordpress.com for details or visit the office at 5407 Dr. MLK Way.
• Seattle-raised poet/writer/professor Paisley Rekdal received the Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship and was awarded a paid year of travel and study abroad. Both Paisley and her mother, Cynthia have been contributing writers to the International Examiner.
• Local photographer Barry Wong (formerly with the Seattle Times) has photo cards of some of his food/produce still-lifes available for purchase. For details, go to www.barrywongphoto.com.
• Zoe Donnell, curatorial coordinator at Tacoma Art Museum has been selected to take part in a curator exchange program sponsored by the Japan Foundation. Young American curators will tour Japan, visit museums/curator counterparts and will participate in conversations. Donnell curated “Edo to Tacoma: Japanese Woodblock Prints from the Collection at Tacoma Art Museum” which recently closed.
• American sculptor/installation artist Mel Chin, whose work usually involves history, culture and community, received a $50,000 fellowship from the non-profit organization, United States Artists (USA).
• The Aspen Art Museum’s new building in downtown Aspen will be designed by noted Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban.
• The Gwangju Biennale Foundation in South Korea gave its inaugural “Noon Award” in the “Emerging Artist” category to Haegue Yang.
• Veteran Hong Kong action director Benny Chan will do a blockbuster update of the Jet Li film, “The Shaolin Temple”. The new version will feature some of the biggest names in Chinese film including Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Fann Bingbing.
• South Korean Director Park Chan-wook (“Old Boy”, “Lady Vengeance”) has shot his new fantasy-horror film, “Paranmanjang” entirely on the iPhone.