Art Etc. – 8/18/2010

1. Highlights
2. Visual Arts
3. Performing Arts
4. Film/Media
5. Written Arts
6. Art News/ Opportunites

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Highlights

• The work of Saya Moriyasu, Yuki Nakamura, Arun Sharma, Brendan Tang, Patti Warashina and others is included in “BAM Biennial 2010: Clay Throwdown”. This is Bellevue Arts Museum’s new juried exhibition competition where artists are asked to make work expressly for the show. Opens August 28 and continues on view through January 16. Noted ceramic artist and UW Art Professor Akio Takamori was one of the judges. 510 Bellevue Way N.E. (425) 519-0770.
• Judy Yung and Erika Lee, the authors of “Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America” (Oxford University Press) will give a slide/talk about their book, one  of the first comprehensive looks at this West Coast immigration station (the equivalent to Ellis Island on the East Coast) and how it affected the lives of countless immigrants from China, Korea, Japan and other countries. September 2 at 7:30 p.m. Town Hall at 1119 Eighth. Downstairs, enter on Seneca St. (206) 652-4255 or visit www.townhallseattle.org.
• Artwork created by staff, volunteers and clients of Asian Counseling and Referral Service will be featured during the Chinatown/ID Jamfest on Thursday, September 2 from 6 – 9 p.m. Art by Dean Wong Rebecca Ip, Jeff Wendland, Gary Tang, Cora Edmonds, Carina del Rosario, Eun-Young Won and others will be on display. The band Naugahyde will also perform.  Come to Canton Alley on King St. between 7^th Ave. & 8^th Avenues S. Sponsored by Chinatown’s oldest gift shop, Sun May Company. Go to www.scidpda.org for details.
• UW Music Professor Cuong Vu who recently received an award as one of the best teachers on campus (see related article in this issue), dons his performing cap and takes the stage with his trumpet and New York based rhythm section as the Cuong Vu Trio. Expect high energy, bright notes and a big enough sound to suggest an improvising orchestra. August 24 at the Triple Door. 216 Union St. (206) 838-4333 or www.thetripledoor.net.
• Boo Duck Lee, a visiting artist from Korea who will be teaching at Tacoma Community College has a special show of paper art from August 20 – September 5. The work of two visiting ceramic artists from Oregon, Barb Campbell and Javier Cervantes are on display August 21  – September 18. Opening reception is August 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. KOBO Gallery at HIGO. 604 South Jackson. (206) 381-3000 or www.koboseattle.com.
• Goddard College’s MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts Program Visiting Artist Series presents Lily Yeh and her “Rwanda Healing Project: Building Community through Art and Creative Action” on August 21 from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. USO Hall in Fort Worden State Parl. Open to the Public. Go to www.goddard.edu for details.
• Comedian/songstress Margaret Cho brings her “Cho Dependent” Tour to Seattle on August 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Paramount Theatre downtown. Go to www.margaretcho.com for details.
• “Trace Series” is a solo show of new work by Etsuko Ichikawa who uses the fire and smoke of molten glass as a paint brush. Opens September 2 and on view until the end of this year. At Tramel-Gagne in the Design Center located at 5701 – 6^th Avenue S. #105. (206) 762-1511 or visit www.tgshowroom.com.
• “Children of Nature” is the title of a show by Isnia (Agus Ismoyo and Nia Fliam), internationally known batik artists. The essence of the show is not so much about the cloths but the shadows that are created by them, symbolic of the illusive connection we all have to all living beings and nature. Through August 31. Island Gallery at 400 Winslow Way on Bainbridge Island. (206) 780-9500 or www.theislandgallery.net.
• Festal 2010 presents a Tibetan Cultural Festival at Seattle Center House’s Fisher Pavilion August 28 & 29. Expect music, performance, food booths and kids activities. (206) 542-3774 or log on to www.washingtontibet.org.
• Cans of Spam, Cup Noodles, evaporated milk are just some of the images found in Lynne Yamamoto’s cast porcelain sculptures evoking memories of her upbringing and family history in Hawai’i. Opening reception is August 19 from 6 – 8 p.m. The artist leads an informal walk-thru of her show on Sat., August 21 at noon. Remains on view through September 30. Greg Kucera Gallery at 212 Third Ave. S. (206) 624-0770 or www.gregkucera.com.
• The annual moon-viewing event features Japanese traditional cultural activities including tea ceremony. Starts at 7 p.m. on August 21. Also on August 29, there will be a tea ceremony tribute to the 14^th Urasenke Grandmaster Tantansai at 1, 2:15 & 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association. All events take place at Shoseian Teahouse in the Seattle Japanese Garden. 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E. Call (206) 684-4725 about moon viewing event. Call (206) 324-2829 about special tea ceremony.
• La Connor Quilt & Textile Museum presents a pair of exhibits that focus on the Japanese quilt. “All That Blooms” looks at the use of blossoms, flowers and plants by quilt-makers. “Japanese Textiles” shows the variety of materials used in the quilt-making process from the perspective of the quilt-maker. Both shows on view through Sept. 26. 703 A. Second St. in La Connor, Wash. (360) 466-4288 or visit www.laconnorquilts.com.
• “Windfall” is a temporary installation by Seattle artists Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo of Lead Pencil Studio. A thousand wind chimes have been hung from newly planted trees on the walkway that leads to Seattle Rep and Intiman Theatre at Seattle Center. Stroll by and wait for the wind to conduct this leafy orchestra. Up till Sept. 17. Second Ave. n. at Mercer St.
• “The Wing” presents “JamFest!”, a summer festival of live music on  First Thursday Gallery Walk nights through September from 6 – 9 p.m. at four different venues in the ID. Go to www.wingluke.org for complete details.

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Visual Arts

• The work of Mario Caoile, Yoonhee Choi and other members of the Portland-based art collective, BlackFish Gallery are currently on view through August 28 in an exchange exhibit with Gallery 110 of Seattle entitled “Gallery Exchange: Blackfish Upstream.” 110 Third Avenue S. (206) 624-9336 or www.gallery110.com.
• Pojagi Now is a group show of Korean wrapping textiles from both American and Korean artists. Picture stained glass transformed to cloth with unique patchwork design. When exposed to light, the colors dance. Another Korean related show entitled “You Are Here” shares the space. Through Sept. 19 in the Guest Gallery of Columbia City Gallery in the Columbia City neighborhood of Seattle.  4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or www.columbiacitygallery.com.
• The work of stained glass artist Joby Shimomura is included in a group show entitled “Three Different Views of Nature” at Alchemy Gallery through September. Opening reception is September 2 from 6 – 9 p.m. 619 Western Avenue on the 2^nd floor. (206) 719-3769. Open First Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m. or by appointment.
• On view now through September 4^th in Artxchange’s North Gallery is work by Mia Yoshihara-Bradshaw. On display are intricate cut-paper art works, accordian books, cards etc., all inspired by ornate kimono patterns of Edo-era Japan. 512 First Ave. S. (206) 839-0377.
• Z.Z. Wei’s paintings of Northwest landscapes and backroads are on view Sept. 2 – Oct. 4 at Patricia Rovzar Gallery. 1225 Second Ave. (206) 223-0273. Opening reception September 2 from 6 – 8 p.m.
• “Recent Work” by Eric Adrian Lee of mixed media abstract paintings associated with specific memories or reactions are on view through August   29. Gallery IMA at 123 S. Jackson. (206) 625-0055 or www.galleryima.com.
• The work of Minh Carrico is included in ”Postscripts From The Edge”, a group show showcasing the artwork of 15 graduates from the 2009 Artist Trust EDGE Program. On view through August 29. Collective Visions Gallery at 331 Pacific Avenue in Bremerton. (360) 377-8327 or www.collectivevisions.com.
• The current trend towards abstraction is shown in contrast to the use of the figure in a group show of photography entitled “Contemporary Works from the Monsen Collection” on view through Nov.  28 in the North Galleries of the Henry Art Gallery. The work of Weng Fen is featured.  15^th Ave. NE & NE 41^st St. (206) 543-2280 or visit www.henryart.org.
• The work of Mark Takamichi Miller, Joseph Park and Akio Takamori is included in the group show entitled “Honoring 15 Years of Neddy Artist Fellows. On view through August 22. Tacoma Art Museum. 1701 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. (253) 272-4258 or www.tacomaartmuseum.org.
• The work of Patsy Surh O’Connell and Cathy Woo is included in the group show entitled  “Annual Fall Exhibition” by Women Painters of Washington.  On view through October 29. 701 Fifth Avenue in Suite 310, (206) 624-0543 or www.womenpainters.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.
• Ping-Kwan Wong emigrated from Hong Kong to Seattle in 1996. He used the McCaw Foundation Library at Seattle Asian Art Museum for years to study calligraphy and classic poems. He created hundreds of bookmarks featuring famous Chinese poems and well-known sayings before passing away in February of 2010. A small show of his bookmarks will be on view through October 2010 in the library. Also “First Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. feature programs that connect your family with the arts and cultures of Asia. Free and no registration is required.  Visit seattleartmuseum.org/gardnercenter  for details. 1400 Prospect in Volunteer  Park. (206) 654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org.
• “Order and Border” is an on-ging exhibit on the third floor World Textiles Gallery at Seattle Art Museum downtown. The selection from SAM’s permanent collection puts stripes in the spotlight with Japanese bedcovers and undergarments, a meditation cloth from Laos, an African teacher’s disguise and items from many other global cultures. Also worth noting, a series of tea ceremony demonstrations in the teahouse on the Third Floor.   Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 19 at 2:30 p.m. Instructors are Bonnie Soshin Mitchell, Mitsuko Soki Gale and Naomi Somi Takemura. Free with museum admission but seating is limited so registration is suggested. Call (206) 654-3121 or visit seattleartmuseum.org to register.
• Seattle Chinese Garden present a “community showcase” on August 22 from 1 – 4 p.m. Free. 6000-16^th Ave. S.W. For details, go to www.seattlechinesegarden.org.
• Seattle Center For Book Arts has classes and workshops all summer. Naomi Kasumi does a workshop entitled “Creating Altered Books” on Aug. 28 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For a full schedule, go to www.seattlebookarts.org.
• “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.
• Artists such as Kamia Kakaria, Lisa Haswgawa, Romson Regarde Bustillo, Tina Koyama and Mark Takamichi Miller will all be teaching classes at Pratt Fine Arts Center this Fall. For details or to register, go to www.pratt.org or call (206) 328-2200. The arts facility is open to the public and has their Annual Open House on Sat., November 13 from 6 – 9 p.m. Mark your calendars.
• Chinese artist Long Gao shows his paintings, scrolls, prints and sculpture. Also his 2009 commission for the City of Woodinville is documented.  On view through Sept. 4.  Jeffrey Moose Gallery at 1333 – 5^th Ave. in Rainier Square. (206) 467-6951 or www.jeffreymoosegallery.com.
• The mixed media/fiber paintings of Hye Young Kim and Jennifer Nerad are on view at Gallery at Towne Centre September 1 – October 9 with an opening reception for the artists on September 16 from 5 – 7 p.m.  17171 Bothell Way N.E. in Lake Forest Park. (206) 417-4645 or www.shorelinearts.net.
• The work of Chunghong Chang is included in a group show through August at the Bainbridge Art museum located at the corner of 305 and Winslow Way on Bainbridge Island.
• Amy Sie in her retirement rediscovered the pleasure of brush and ink using the Gongbi style of Chinese  painting. “Discovering the artistic I/eye in Second Adulthood” is on view through August at Gallery at Grace on Bainbridge Island. 8595 Day Road E. (206) 842-9997 or www.gracehere.org.
• Iyoko Okano’s Japanese calligraphy is on view in the Edmonds Arts Festival Museum Sept. 10 – Oct. 30. Located at the Frances Anderson Center at 700 Main St, in Edmonds. (425) 771-1984 or www.eaffoundation.org.
• Fans of Japanese Pop culture, anime, and manga won’t want to miss “Aki Con 2010”. This festival includes 24-hour anime viewing, panels, workshops and more. Coming November 5 – 7 at the Bellevue Hilton Hotel. For details, go to www.akicon.org.

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Performing Arts

• Tokyo experimental rock band, BORIS come to Neumos on August 23. Ian Astbury of The Cult will be  producing a new recording by the group .Look for a Capsule EP in September. (206) 709-9467 or www.neumos.com.
• “Natsu Matsuri” is what Uwajimaya is calling their Japanese outdoor summer festival at Uwajimaya Village in Seattle. August 27, 28 & 29. The group, “School of Taiko” perform on August 27 at 2 p.m. and August 28 at 3 p.m. Also there will be games, contests, food booths as well as a Tofu /curry eating and Ramune drinking contest for all ages.  Festival hours are noon – 8 p.m. on August 27 & 28 and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on August 29. 600 Fifth Avenue S. www.uwajimauya.com.
• Popular singer/songwriter Vienna Teng plays Bumbershoot with her trio on September 5. Seattle Center. Go to Bumbershoot.org for details.
• Japanese Canadian singer/songwriter Justin Nozuka brings his band to Chop Suey  on September 13 as part of his “Wind Land And Sea Tour”. 1325 East Madison St. 1 (800) 745-3000.
• The concept of a night market, popular in Asia is catching on the West Coast as well. Perhaps the largest one is in Vancouver, B.C. but recently our own Seattle Chinatown/International District neighborhood is trying out the concept as well. A night market will take place August 28 from 6 – 11 p.m. Look for food booths, shopping, martial arts demonstrations, music and children’s activities. Highlights include an “Anime” costume contest from 7:30 – 8 p.m. There will also be a free screening of the animated film, “Up.”  In Hing Hay Park at 422 Maynard Avenue S. Go to www.cidbia.org for details.
• “Beacon Rocks!” is a music series that strives to bring music and community together. Takes place on Lander Festival Street next to the Beacon Hill Light Rail Station in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. August 29 from 1 – 5 p.m. For details, go to [email protected] or www.rockitspace.ning.com.
• The 11^th Lakewood International Festival is an international cultural event featuring Lakewood’s sister cities abroad. August 28 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Clover Park Technical College, McGavick Conference Center at 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. in Lakewood. (888) 522-6116 or go to www.lakewoodsc.com.
• Aki Matsuri is a Japanese Fall Festival set for September 11 & 12 at Bellevue College. With food, Japanese crafts and cultural activities for adults and kids alike. 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E. (425) 861-7865 or go to wwwenma.org.
• Japanese Tea Ceremony Master Kannoh presents a mobile tea house where he offers a casual tea ceremony every Saturday at Seattle Uwajimaya at 600 – 5^th Ave. S. and every Sunday at KOBO Capitol Hill at 814 E.Roy. From 1 – 3 p.m. at both sites. For more details, go to www.kannoh.com.

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Film/Media

• Quentin Lee’s new film, “The People I’ve Slept With” stars Karin Anna Cheung. This ribald romantic comedy about a promiscuous woman was written by Koji Steven Sakai. Opens in selected theatres across the country soon.
• Jet Li stars in  “The Expendables” (Lionsgate) Sylvester Stallone’s action/drama about a gang of mercenaries-for-hire “good guys”. Now at various theatres nationwide.
• POV, the award-winning documentary film series that runs on PBS channels across the country offers tow films of interest to our viewers. On August 21, they present “Wo Ai Ni (I Love YOU) Mommy”, an intimate account of how a Jewish family on Long Island adopt an 8 year-old girl from Guangzhou Province, China. A Co-production of American Documentary/POV and Diverse Voices Project presented in Association with the Center for Asian American Media. Directed by Stephanie Wong-Breal. On September 14, a Korean American adoptee tries to untangle the identity switch that sent her to the U.S. in “In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee”. Directed by Deann Borshay Liem. Check local listings for exact date and showtimes. Locally on Channel 9, KCTS. For details, go to www.pbs.org/pov/pressroom or http://kcts9.org.
• A new 35mm print of  the late Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” will be shown for one week starting September 3 at the Varisity. The epic film is a meditation on Shakespeare’s King Lear and features a marvelous perforamce by Tatsuya Nakadai as the aspiring ruler. 4329 University Way N.E. (206) 781-5755.
• “Enemies of The People” is a documentary film by Thet Sambath and Rob Lemkin that attempts for the first time to expose the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rogue. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance 2010. Opens in Los Angeles on August 6 with plans underway to screen it nationally. For details, go to http://enemies of thepeople/movie.com.
• “Tales From Earthsea” (see review this issue) is a new film from Japan’s Studio Ghibli as directed by Goro Miyazaki (son of Hayao Miyazaki) loosely based on the series by Ursula K. LeGuin. This adventure follows the journey of a character as he attempts to find the cause for an imbalance in the land of Earthsea. Set for release by Walt Disney Studios/Studio Ghibli on August 13 nation-wide. Check your local listings.
• “Mao’s Last Dancer” (see review this issue), a movie based on a true story about a Chinese dancer who sought asylum in America which played at SIFF 2010 is now playing at Metro Cinemas at 4500 9^th N.E. (206) 632-5820.
• Call for entries for the Couch Festival Films 2010. Films must be under 6 minutes and will be screened in people’s houses. For details go to http://www.couchfestfilms.com The Festival happens on Nov. 7, 2010.
• Seung-heon Sog and Nanako Matshushima are set to star in an Asian remake of the Hollywood smash film, “Ghost”.

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Written Arts

• “A Cold Wind from Idaho”  (Black Lawrence Press) is local writer Lawrence Matsuda’s debut collection of poetry that details his experience at Minidoka internment camp, the facility that most Japanese Americans from this area were sent for lock-up during WW II. Noted poet/writer Tess Gallagher says of this book, “I receive Matsuda’s narratives about the Camps with the shame and empathy of a fellow citizen who knows we must never let this happen again—which is the central message of this many layered document written by a modern samurai of the pen.” For ordering information, go to www.blacklawrence.com. News of the poet’s local readings will be available soon.

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Art News/ Opportunites

• The idea for a collective art gallery in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District neighborhood is in the planning stages. Plans call for a gallery space that will showcase visual art by new & emerging artists of  color. If you want more information or want to attend a meeting, e-mail Carina at [email protected] or log on to www.flickr.com/photos/cadelrosario.
• “NOTHING TO DECLARE’ is an International Contemporary Art Exhibition in Manila. To participate, send proposal of artwork you would like to show or new work you will make. Deadline is 8/30/10. Visit http://bit.ly/bkxyuY for details.
• Berliner Liste takes place from 10/7-10. You can apply as a gallery, an artist or as a project. Over 100 international galleries and artists will exhibit. No deadline but visit www.berliner-liste.org/app07 for details.
• The 2011 Multnomah Arts Center Gallery is looking for Oregon (Portland area) and Washington artists to submit proposals for group or solo shows. Deadline is 9/1/10. Visit www.multnomahartscenter.org for details.
• 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 nickname which is simply “The Wing”.