Home Arts Arts Etc. Art Etc. – 6/16/2010

Art Etc. – 6/16/2010

Alan Chong Lau

June 17, 2010

859

Highlights
Visual Arts
Performing Arts
Film/Media
Written Arts
Art News/ Opportunites

Highlights

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) will hold their 13^th biennial national conference in Seattle July 22 – 24 at Seattle University. Talks by Filipino American scholars, historians, authors, filmmakers, educatiors, archivists, community researchers and student activists will fill the program. There will also be a tour of Filipino American historic sites in the Seattle area. Special guest is 11 year-old Marcela Del Fierro Owens, the student who stood by President Obama during the signing of the health reform bill. “Dance Down Memory Lane” is a unique fundraising event that will re-create the Filipino dance hall tradition. Participants are asked to dress up in 1940’s or disco-era 1970’s attire. Deadline for reduced-price registration is June 18. (206) 322-0203 or www.fanhs-national.org.
The Chuuden Noh Singing Club of Nagoya, Japan will give a demonstration of the traditional arts of Noh singing and music on Sat., June 19 from 1 – 2 p.m. There will also be a display of a Noh Theater. Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience at 719 S. King St. Free. (206) 623-5124 or www.wingluke.org.
“The Wing” presents “JamFest!”, a summer festival of live music on First Thursday Gallery Walk nights from June to September from 6 – 9 p.m. at four different venues in the ID. Go to www.wingluke.org for complete details.
The work of Jenny Kam, Rumi Kushino, Ren Sun, Si Yang Song and Shuo Yang is included in the UW MFA 2010 Thesis Exhibition on view through June 27 at Henry Art Gallery. 4100 – 15^th Ave. N.E. (206) 543-2280 or www.henryart.org.
The 20^th Annual Walk for Rice, the annual fundraiser for Asian Counseling and Referral Services Food Bank takes place on Sat., June 19 from 8 a.m. – noon at Seward Park. Come out and support this valuable community resource. 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S. (206) 695-7551 or visit www.walkforrice.org.
In Stephen B. Nguyen’s installation entitled “Migration”, prepare for some visual sleight of hand and the magic of flight through an enclosed space as you watch the flight pattern of birds. The Brooklyn-based artist’s work continues on view through August 6. Free to the public. Suyama Space is at 2324 Second Ave. within the offices of Suyama/Peterson/Deguchi Architects. Visit www.suyamapetersondeguchi.com/art OR www.stephennguyen.com for more information.
Vancouver B.C. based classical pianist Jon Kimura Parker performs on June 23 at 8 p.m. Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College at 2011 Mottman Rd. in Olympia. (360) 753-8585 or www.washingtoncenter.org.
“Show of Hands – Northwest Women Artists 1880 – 2010” is a new group show that takes an in-depth look at northwest women artists from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. More than 90 works by 63 area artists. Curator Barbara Matilsky (originally from the East Coast) says “she became conscious of many ‘unseen artists’ regarded highly in their lifetime that have since been forgotten.” The work of Diem Chau, Elizabeth Jameson, Margot Quan Knight, Norie Sato, Maki Tamura and Patti Warashina is included. Well worth the trip to Bellingham to see this beautiful, new contemporary art facility. On view through August 8, 2010. Whatcom Museum at the Lightcatcher. 250 Flora St. (360) 778-8930 or log on to www.whatcommuseum.org.
Elliott Bay Book Company has achieved a smooth transition to its new Capitol Hill home. Former Elliott Bay staffer Irene Akio returns as author/illustrator with her new book, “T for Tokyo” (Things Asian {Press) in which a father tells his daughter about the city where she was born. In a bi-lingual editon. Sunday, June 27 at 4 p.m. 1521 – 10^th Ave. www.elliottbaybook.com (206) 624-6600.
When Japanese art student Kensuke Yamada first came to America, his English skills were not up to snuff so he relied heavily on his observations of body language while observing people for understanding. His new show, “I and Love and You” recreates that period in his life with his depiction of people communicating with gestures and movement. On view till June 26 at Catherine Person Gallery. 319 Third Ave. S. (206) 763-5565 or www.catherineperson.com.
“Navarasa – Duets for Shakuhachi and Contra Bass” (Belly to Belly Records) features spontaneous improvisations by Christopher Yohmei Blasdel on shakuhachi and Mark Izu on contra bass, sheng and sho. Blasdel, an American has spent most of his adult life studying shakuhachi in Japan. Izu is known for his collaborations with musicians of diverse genres from jazz to classical to world music traditions and for leading such diverse Bay Area cultural institutions such as the San Francisco Asian American Jazz Festival and Kearny Street Workshop. For more information on this recording, email [email protected].

Visual Arts

The Burke Museum on the UW campus is hosting two Ainu interns from Japan. It’s part of a program that inclues the first ever cultural exchange between the indigenous Ainu people and Native Americans in Washington state. Akira Kikuchi and Masashi Kawakami will be here through July and will learn museum curatorial skills. They will also develop an educational kit about Ainu heritage for use by museum educators. The tour ends with the two and eight more Ainu tribe members coming together for the annual Tribal Canoe Journey to Neah Bay. For details, go to www.burkemuseum.org.
“Treasures From Japan” is a group show featuring Naomi Schneider, Aki Sogabe, Mika Sullivan and Junko Yamada at Gallery North located at 508 Main St. inb Edmonds. (425) 774-0946 or www.gallery-north.com.
With Our Hands – Folk Art Treasures”. Vietnamese paper folding is just one of the many folk arts gathered from across the state for this exhibit that attempts to answer the question, “What is folk art?”. On view through December with various folk art demonstrations and activities planned. Washington State History Museum. 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. (253) 272-3500.
“Media Alchemy of Nam June Paik” is a show of work by the late internationally acclaimed video artist at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Eugene, Oregon. He is considered a pioneer and influenced future generations of video installation artists. Through June 27, 2010. 1430 Johnson Lane. (541) 346-3027 or visit jsma.uoregon.edu.
“Future’s Past: The Black Ships” is a new show by Jonathan Wakuda Fischer who investigates the dual perception of Japanese culture as hyper contemporary and yet traditional by grafting on his own uerban graffiti techniques onto the theme through the vehicle of storytelling and history and folktale. Open during First Thursday on June 3 from 5 – 8 p.m. Through June 26. 512 First Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or log on to www.artxchange.org.
The work of Saya Moriyasu is included in “Blow Up”, a group show in honor of the 30^th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Through June 26. G. Gibson Gallery at 300 S. Washington. (206) 587-4033 or www.ggibsongallery.com.
“A Continuing Cultural Legacy” showcases selections from the Safeco Insurance Collection Donation to the Washington Art Consortium as curated by Beth Sellars. Includes many notable Northwest artists such as Andrew Chinn, Fay Chong, Paul Horiuchi, Frank Okada, George Tsutakawa, Gerard Tsutakawa, Patti Warashina, Roger Shimomura and more. On view through June 25 on Th. & Fri. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with one Saturday on June 22 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wright Exhibition Space at 407 Dexter Ave. N. (206) 264-8200.
“Fleeting Beauty – Japanese Woodblock Prints” is a new show on view through July 4 at Seattle Asian Art Museum. Free but registration required. Visit seattleartmuseum.org for details. 1400 Prospect in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Tacoma-based ceramic artist Yuki Nakamura has closed her Seattle studio in the Noodleworks building in the International District. She will work at home from now on. Her most recent show at Howard House was reviewed by Matthew Kangas in the May issue of Art in America”.
“Tiger Tiger Burning Bright” is a group show with work by Yumiko Kayukawa, Travis Louie, Audrey Kawasaki and others around the theme of tigers. Through July 3. Roq La Rue Gallery at 2312 Second Ave. (206) 374-8977.
“A Refugee’s Journey of Survival And Hope” is the latest show to open at the “Wing”. See life through the eyes of a refugee through personal stories, photographs and multimedia. Show continues on view till Dec. 12, 2010. “Cultural Transcendence is a group show at Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience curated by Lele Barnett that “explores the importance of technology in our modern experience and technology’s influence on contemporary installation art.” Features the work of Robert Hodgin, Eunsu Kang, Heidi Kumao, Horatio Law and Brent Watanabe. Show continues through Sept. 2010. “Paj Ntaub – Stories of Hmong in Washington State” remains on view through Oct. 17. 2010. “Return Home From War – Remnants of War Through Recent Asian Pacific American Veterans’ Perspective” continues through August 15. www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
KOBO at Higo presents the following. Jon Janosik presents his original watercolor paintings and illustrations from “The Backyard Birdsong” Series with opening reception on June 3 from 6 – 8 p.m. Show up till July 18. There will also be a book signing and gallery talk to follow. Ceramics by Debra Schwarzkopf on view through July 10. Japanese ceramic artist Keizaburo Kubodera has a show of new work July 17 – August 15. Opening reception is July 17 at 3pm with a gallery talk planned for Jully 18 at 4 p.m. (206) 381-3000 or [email protected].
Aimee Mori’s show, “In Context” shows that words have a multitude of meanings biased on context, unreadable messages created in Braille. Through June. La Familia Gallery at 117 Prefontaine Place. S. (888) 907-9119 or www.lafamiliallc.com.
Architect and photographer Phuong Phan-McManamna shows photos of Northwest landscapes through the seasons. “Changing Landscapesz’ on view June – July. Café Paloma at 93 Yesler Way. (206) 405-1920.
Chinese artist Long Gao shows his paintings, scrolls, prints and sculpture. Also his 2009 commission for the City of Woodenville is documented. Opening reception June 3 from 5 – 7 p.m. On view through Sept. 4. Jeffrey Moose Gallery at 1333 – 5^th Ave. in Rainier Square. (206) 467-6951 or www.jeffreymoosegallery.com.
Arts Council of Snohomish County presents “Art Education in Action: The Art of Asia” through June 24. 1507 Wall St. in Everett. (425) 257-8380 or visit www.artscouncilofsnoco.org.
The work of Yuko Ishi and Nana Kuo is included in a group show entitled “The Shell” at Bainbridge Arts And Crafts on view through June 29. 151 Winslow Way E. (206) 842-3132 or www.bacart.org.

Performing Arts

Japanese jazz pianist Keiko Matsui performs at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley June 30 – July 10. (206) 441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com.
Japanese pop star Miyavi performs in Seattle as part of his “Neo Tokyo Samurai Black World Tour 1010 on June 18 at 8 p.m. at Showbox at the Market located at 1426 1^st Ave. For details, go to www.showboxonline.com.
Violinist Makoto and pianist Mizue make up the group, Duo Takase. They play Newport Covenant Church in Bellevue at 12800 SE Coal Creek Parkway July 16 at 7 p.m., Japanese International Baptist Church at 7636 S. “A” St. in Tacoma July 17 at 2 p.m. and Japanese Presbysterian Church 1801 24^th St. July 18 at 2 p.m. Free. (425) 746-3546.
Catch the bluegrass/folk/rock sound of the very talented singer/songwriter Thao Nguyen with the Get Down/Stay Down Band as the opening act for the Avett Brothers on July 18 at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. 911 Pine St. (877) 784-4849 or www.stgpresents.org.
Tomo Nakayama and Alina To are members of the Seattle pop band, Grand Hallway which recently performed at South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual music festival held in Austin, Texas.

Film/Media

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi who made her debut in Zhang Yimou’s “The Raod Home” and subsequently starred in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” is working on a new film about a couple with AIDS to be directed by Gu Changwei entitled “A Tale of Magic”. Gu received the Silver Bear Award for his 2005 debut film, “Peacock” at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Bollywood screenwriter Shibani Bathija (a San Francisco State University M.A. graduate) latest film, “My Name is Khan” is breaking box office records in India.The film highlights racial profiling in California. It grossed $1.9 million during its openinbg weekend, a worldwide record for a Hindi film.

The Written Arts

Seattle writer Peter Bacho (see related story in Pacific Reader insert) reads from his latest young adult novel entitled “Leaving Yesler” (Pleasure Boat Studio) on June 26 at 3 p.m. Seattle Public Library Branch located at 4721 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 386-1908. Free.

Art News/ Opportunites

On my bookcase sits a small poster of a uplifted foot. The skin is wrinkled with creases along the heel and you can see the strain of muscles coming down from the lower calf. It is no ordinary foot but belongs to the body of Japanese Butoh dancer/founder Kazuo Ito who passed away recently at the age of 103. Ohno’s influences were numerous but his real inspiration was the human condition. Forged by the horrors of WW II and Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Ono’s work reflected the chaotic, turbulent post-war era. It is said that Ohno continued to dance even down to his frail last years, on hands and knees. He came to Seattle once courtesy of On The Boards with his son and fellow dancer Yoshito and mesmerized audiences. I have never seen a dancer move so slowly and yet mean so much. It was as if dancing was his very breath. Somewhere out in the universe, Kazuo Ono dances amongst the stars.
Congratulations to Cuong Vu, Assistant Professor in Jazz Studies and Anu Taranath, Senior Lecturer in English who both were recipients of UW’s 2010 Distinguished Teaching Awards.
Anne Chu and Mary Lum were some of the fine arts recipients of the 2010 Guggenheim fellowships.
Artist Trust offers a clinic for artists at Country Doctor Community Clinic on Capitol Hill. Uninsured low-income artists are encouraged to apply for vouchers that will help underwrite costs of a visit. This program extended through June 2010. (206) 467-8734×11 or e-mail [email protected].
“Artists And Aging: A Professional Development Series” takes place in May and June. Each program tackles a different topic. Also apply now for 2010 Grants for Artist Projects (GAP). Deadline is June 25, 2010. Log on to www.artisttrust.org for details.
The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is currently looking for artists to lead family art activity workshops. For more information, call (206) 623-5124×114.
Wing Luke Asian Museum changes its name and gains a new nickname. The museum recently announced it has expanded its name to Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience to better reflect the community that it strives to serve. Recognizing that this new name is a mouthful, it has also created a new nicknamewhich is simply “The Wing”.