Highlights
Seattle’s Annual Lunar New Year Festival takes place Sat., Jan. 28 from 11am – 4pm at Hing Hay Park at Maynard Ave. S. & S. King St. With Dragon and Lion Dancers and a food walk with $2 Tasting Menu at participating restaurants. Also a children’s costume parade contest. Go to SeattleChinatownID.com for details.
The UW World Series presents Shen Wei Dance Arts with performances at UW’s Meany Hall Feb. 2 – 4 at 8pm. Each piece incorporates visual and storytelling elements from the theater, Chinese opera, Eastern philosophy, traditional and contemporary visual art and sculpture. There will be a pre-show talk in the main auditorium by Chung Xinwei of the UW Dance Department at 7:10pm. Call (206) 543-4880 or go to uwworldseries.org for details.
Hawaiian singer/songwriter John Cruz makes a welcome return to Seattle’s Triple Door on Feb. 5 at 7:30pm. Growing up in a family with a record collection well-stocked with Motown, Cruz also blends traditional Hawaiian music with Reggae, pop, soul and blues that amounts to a soulful, original island sound. Cruz is also a masterful guitarist with a full sound coming from a solo guitar back-up to his vocals. Also of note, Lucy Wu and Geoffrey Castle do a Chinese New Year’s Concert on Mon., Jan. 23 at 7:30pm. The Triple Door at 216 Union St. downtown. Go to (206) 838-4333 or thetripledoor.net for details.
This year’s 7th Annual Children’s Film Festival (see related article in this issue) features a number of films from Asia and South Asia in their program. Runs Jan. 26 – Feb. 5. Northwest Film Forum at 1515 – 12th Ave. (206) 329-2629 or go to www.nwfilmforum.org
“Mountains That Take Wing – Life, Struggles & Liberation” is a documentary film directed by C. A. Giffith & H. L. T. Quan. Come to the screening and a follow-up discussion with the filmmakers. Angela Davis is a respected writer/scholar and key figure in Black American progressive politics and education. Yuri Kochiyama is a legendary political figure, organizer and leader in Asian American progressive politics and instrumental in reaching out to other ethnic American communities. She cradled Malcom X’s head when he was assassinated in New York. A co-presentation of Seattle Art Museum, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center’s African American Film Festival’s Underground Railroad Series, Northwest African American Museum and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience. The film screens on Sat., Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. Admission is free but you must make reservations to ensure a seat. Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Stimson Auditorium is located at 1400 E. Prospect in Volunteer Park. Try box [email protected]. Seats not claimed on the day of the event will be given out 10 minutes before the screening on a first come-first served basis.
“Hungry Planet: What the World Eats” is a fascinating photo exhibit that takes 10 families from around the world and looks at what they eat, day in and day out. Opens Jan. 28 and remains on view through June 10. UW’s Burke Museum. 17th Ave. NE and NE 45th in Seattle. Call (206) 544-5590 or go to www.burkemuseum.org.
Opening Jan. 27 at the Uptown Cinemas is “Norwegian Wood” which played at last year’s SIFF. This marks the film’s regular run. Adapted from the best selling novel by Haruki Murakami and directed by acclaimed director Tran Anh Hung (The Scent of Green Papaya), the film tells the story of a young Japanese couple and their friend in a relationship torn asunder by death. In Japanese with English subtitles. 511 Queen Anne Ave. Call (206) 324-9996.
Author Diane Fujino is the author of two books on powerful Asian American community activists. She penned “Heartbeat of Struggle: The Revolutionary Life of Yuri Kochiyama (see mention of the documentary film on Kochiyama above) and her look on Afro-Asian coalition builder Richard Aoki entitled “A Samurai Among Panthers: Richard Aoki on Race, Resistance and a Paradoxical Life” (University of Minnesota Press) comes out in April She makes a surprise visit here on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7pm in what’s sure to be a provocative and timely talk on activists in the community. Fujino is associate professor of Asian American Studies at UC Santa Barbara. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 – 10th Ave. Call (206) 624-66000 or go to www.elliottbaybook.com.
“Within/Without” by sculptor June Sekiguchi looks at extremes of emotion in the life of the artist. Overjoyed at an invitation from Prince Nithakong Somsanith of Laos, for an artist residency, Sekiguchi was simultaneously shocked with the sudden death of a parent. Out of this comes a site-specific installation in scroll-cut wood and gilded bamboo , a temple of transcendence, sorrow and joy – with responsive sound and light elements by Rob Mills and Spar Wilson. Augmented with new wall-hung sculptures. On view now with a reception on Feb.2 from 5 – 8 p.m. and an artist talk set for Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. ArtXchange Gallery 512 First Ave. S. Call (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org. The artist’s residency in Laos was sponsored by 4Culture.
Perennial Northwest favorite, ukulele player extraordinaire Jake Shimabukuro returns for two engagements in the Puget Sound. His first show is Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Edmonds Center for the Arts at 410 Fourth Ave. N. (425) 275-9595 or edmondscenterforthearts.org. His second show is on Jan. 20 at Tacoma’s Rialto Theatre at 7:30 p.m. 310 S. Ninth St. Call (253) 591-5984 or visit www.broadwaycenter.org.
Singer/songwriter Emi Meyer has generated quite a following in Japan but she was raised in Seattle. Catch her in a local free performance at Seattle’s Sorrento Hotel at 900 Madison St. On Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Visit http:/emi-meyer.com/index.html for details.
The Denmark-bred brothers Chris Minh Doky (bass) and Niels Lan Doky (piano) burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in the 80’s. Their sound blends the energy of the New York scene (both brothers lived and worked in New York with the pastoral folk elements of Scandanavia). Now Chris leads a strong band called the Nomads with drummer Dave Weckl and makes a rare Seattle appearance at Jazz Alley on Jan. 17 – 18. 2033 – 6th Ave. downtown. (206) 441-0720 or go to jazzalley.com for details.
Christian Bale stars in Zhang Yimou’s “Flowers of War” which opens Jan. 20 at a Seattle Landmark Theatre. Bale plays a renegade American posing as a priest who trys to protect Chinese children during the Japanese invasion of Nanjing in 1937. Screenplay by Liu Heng and Yen Geling based on Geling’s novel.
Visual Arts
Examiner contributor/visual artist Dan-Thanh Nguyen has two prints in the group show, “Made At Pratt” through Jan. 28. Pratt Studio Gallery at the Tashiro Kaplan Building at 312 S. Washington in Studio 1A. Go to http://www.pratt.org/happenings/tkgallery.html for details.
Winston Wachter Fine Art presents “New Paintings” by Hiro Yokose. On view Jan. 10 – Feb. 23. 203 Dexter Ave. N. Call (206) 652-5855 or go to www.winstonwachter.com.
“Journeys” is a group show of local artists influenced by travel. The work of Romson Regarde Bustillo is included. Through Feb. 11. SAM Gallery located at 1220 Third Ave. Call (206) 343-1101.
Talented ceramic/installation artist Yuki Nakamura returns with a new piece entitled “Kukai: Sea and Sky” done in collaboration with digital media artist Robert Campbell. Show runs till Jan. 28 with reception scheduled for Jan. 5 from 6 – 8 p.m. The two artists live directly across from one another between Vashon Island and Tacoma. So “Sea and Sky” is part of everyday just as the sea between the Northwest and Japan and the parts and pieces houses washed away in the tsunami drifting towards our shores. The installation evokes this bond. The focus is in part inspired by Japanese wood joinery. SOIL Gallery at 112 – 3rd Ave. S. in Seattle.
Cambodian-born artist Soheap Pich immigrated to the US with his family to escape the Khmer Rogue and attended art school here, earning an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After a few years of meaningless jobs less than conducive to making art, he returned to his home country where he transitioned to sculpture using rattan and bamboo which suggests Cambodia’s basket-weaving tradition. He comes to Seattle’s Henry art Gallery to construct an installation entitled “Compound.” On view till April 1, 2012. Henry Art Gallery on the UW campus located at 15th Ave. NE & NE 41st. Call (206) 543-2280 or visit www.henryart.org for details. On the third floor, explore a new show entitled “The Seattle Art Museum & Seattle Artists in the 1930s and 1940s” which celebrates the work of Northwest artists whose careers were fostered by the director and patrons of the museum. Includes work by Mark Tobey, Morris Graves and Emilio Amero. SAM Next series is Seattle Art Museum’s contemporary art exhibition program intended to shed light on cutting-edge contemporary young artists and the work they are doing. Selected sixth in the series is New York-based multi-media artist Mika Tajima. Tajima combines painting, sculpture, design, performance, video and sound to create immersive installations that expand the possibilities of each medium. On view through June 17, 2012. SAM is located at 1300 First Ave. in Seattle. Call (206) 654-3100 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org for details.
On view through January 2012 is “The Safeco Gift and New Acquisitions: Collecting for the Future.” The work of Tram Bui, Diem Chau, Fay Chong, Saya Moriyasu, Norie Sato, Chang-ae Song and Chao-Chen Yang are included in this show. Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave. Call (253) 272-4258 or go to www.tacomaartmuseum.org more details.
“North, South, East, West” is a group show curated by June Sekiguchi at University House in the Wallingford neighborhood. It looks at the multicultural fabric of America as exemplified by Seattle artists from Ethiopia, Poland, Vietnam, Iraq etc. Includes work by Carina del Rosario Minh Carrico, Tina Koyama and others. The show will be on display until Feb. 13, 2012. University House, 4400 Stone Way N. at N. 45th, Seattle. Call (206) 545-8400.
The work of Etsuko Ichikawa, Jennifer Le, Tram Bui, Ying Yueh Chuang, Miki Lee and Xiaoze Xie is included in a group show entitled “New Contemporary Works” on view through Jan. 28, 2012. Davidson Galleries. 313 Occidental Ave. S. Call (206) 624-7684.
Megumi Schacher has a workshop set for KOBO at Higo in Seattle on Jan. 22 from 1 – 3 p.m. Advance registration required. Call (425) 744-9751 or visit www.ikebanabymegumi.com
The 6th Annual Simple Cup Show showcases over 200 cups from the Northwest & Japan. Runs through December. Co-sponsored by Seward Park Clay Studio. This year, a portion of the profits will go to benefit the potters at Mashiko who lost kilns/studios during the recent earthquake. KOBO Gallery at Higo, 604 S. Jackson St., Seattle. Call (206) 381-3000 or go to www.koboseattle.com.
“Painting Seattle: Kamekichi Tokita & Kenjiro Nomura” curated by Barbara Johns remains on view till Feb. 19, 2012. In the 1930’s these two artists documented the landscape of the city and the farmland on weekends and ran their day job of sign-painting on the weekdays. You can still find evidence of their daily labor in signs around Japantown and ID/Chinatown from the “Blue Funnel Line” sign on a door near the Wing to the curtain of painted ads of neighborhood businesses once in the Nippon Kan and now in the Wing’s little theatre. But their own painting of cityscapes and landscapes won recognition in the 1930’s as well. Tokita died too young from poor health after getting out of an internment camp but Nomura would live long enough to see his work turn abstract and receive the honor of being the first Seattle artist to get a one-person show at Seattle Art Museum. Tours of the show will begin on weekends at noon starting at the Fuller Garden Court. Coming March 15 and on view till August 5, 2012 will be a show entitled “Colors of the Oasis, Central Asian Ikats” which features 40 colorful robes created during the 19th century using the labor intensive process known as ikat. All at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 Prospect Ave., Seattle. For more information, call (206) 654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.
2012 Year of the Dragon” festivities all day long on Sat., Jan. 21. On view from 10am – 8pm is the opening day of the interactive exhibition entitled “New Years All Year Round” that looks at how various Asian cultures celebrate the new year. 11am is the Lion Dance to invite in the new year in front of and inside the museum. From 1 – 3pm, join teaching artist Yuki Chikamura who will show participants how to make washi pencil holders as part of “Family Fun Day”. At 4:30pm, welcome the new year with a special Japanese Tea Ceremony with tea and sweets. Drop by the museum and enter your child in the year of the dragon coloring contest. Go to www.wingluke.org/2012newyear for details. Many prizes and gifts for winners. Early February brings First Thursday Historic Hotel Tour at a discount on Feb. 2 from 10am – 8pm. Former Museum director and writer Ron Chew reads from his new book entitled “Remembering Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes: The Legacy of Filipino American labor Activism” on Feb. 2 at 6pm. Other continuing activities include the following – Jan. 21 – March 31 is the Historic Hotel & Chinatown Discovery Tour with a Lunar New Year twist. Call (206) 623-5124×133 for details. On Sat., Feb. 18 from 1 – 3pm, learn how to make food paintings with Romson Regarde Bustillo as part of Family Fun Day. On Sat., March 17 from 1 – 3pm, Mizu Sugimura teaches a Japanese Art Workshop as part of Family Fun Day. Special exhibition opening reception for “Asian American Arcade” on Feb. 9 from 6 – 8pm. Follow video games out of the arcade and into the art gallery where related artworks explore questions of identity, community, imagination, learning and the power of play in our lives. “Meet Me at Higo: An Enduring Story of a Japanese American Family” is a new show of a famous neighborhood general store that just opened. On view until Spring 2012. Accompanied by a catalogue with essay written by Ken Mochizuki. Also new is “From Fields to Family: Asian Pacific Americans and Food” which explores the traditions, techniques and mouth-watering stories of food through culture and cooking techniques passed on through home and restaurant over the years “Schooled” is a new show which is an interactive exhibit that explores education within the Asian Pacific American communities and how it continues to be a diverse and varied experience. “Vintage Japantown through the lens of the Takano Studio” is another show which looks at portrait photography from one studio active from the 1930’s to the early 1940’s. Studios like this once thrived in the neighborhood and captured the everyday life of its inhabitants. Through Feb. 12, 2012. For details on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
Artists Susie J. Lee, Henry Tsang and Jin-Me Yoon were selected to participate in “The 10th Northwest Biennial” which will be on view Jan. 21 – May 2012. Work was selected by TAM curator Rock Hushka and independent art curator Renato Rodrigues da Silva. (253) 272-4258 or go to www.TacomaArtMuseum.org
The work of Joseph Park is included in a group show entitled “Yesterday’s Tomorrow” on view at Museum of Northwest Art through March 14. The show showcases futuristic work that reflects the Northwest’s rich history of embracing traditions of industry and innovations of technology. 121 South First St. in La Conner. (360) 466-4446 or go to www.museumofnwart.org
The work of Roger Shimomura is on view through March 10 at Gonzaga University’s Jundt Gallery in Spokane. 502 E. Boone Ave. (509) 323-6611 or go to www.gonzaga.edu/jundt Shimomura’s work is also in a group show at the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. entitled “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter”. Through Oct. 14, 2012. Go to http://www.npa.sl.edu/exhibit/encounter/visit.html After the show closes, it will tour including venues in Washington State.
Coverage of early Japanese American history in the region is included in the permanent exhibit at White River Valley Museum, 918 “H” St. S.E. in Auburn. Call (253) 288-7433 or go www.wrvmuseum.org.
Portland Art Museum has a large collection of over 2500 Japanese prints dating from the late 17th century to the present day. In “The Artist’s Touch, The Craftsman’s Hand: Three Decades of Japanese Prints from the Portland Art Museum” on view through Jan. 22, 2012, viewers can see the first major show of this extensive collection. Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave. Call (503) 226-2811 or go www.portlandartmuseum.org.
The Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center preserves the history and culture of Japanese Americans in the area. Their permanent exhibit is “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of a Community.” “Forthcoming shows will be “Kokeshi: From Tradition to Tools,” “Coming Home: Japanese Americans in Portland After WWII” and “Roger Shimomura: Shadows of Minidoka.” Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center, 121 NW 2nd Ave. in Portland. Call (503) 224-1458 or e-mail: [email protected].
The Portland Japanese Garden offers the serenity of a Japanese garden plus numerous classes, art shows and workshops year around. Portland Japanese Garden, 611 S.W. Kingston Ave. Call (503) 233-1321.
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene has the following exhibits. Coming next spring is a show entitled “Visions of the Orient: Western Women artists in Asia, 1900 – 1940”. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane, Seattle. Call (541) 346-3027.
“Hiroshima: Photographs by Miyako Ishiuchi” on view through Feb. 12. This noted Japanese photographer chose the objects she photographed from more than 19,000 personal effects left behind by those who perished in the bombings. Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver, B.C. Call (604) 822-5087 or go to www.moa.ubc.ca.
Performing Arts
The Hokubei Houchi Foundation’s The North American Post Nagomi Teahouse Space is at 519 – 6th Ave. S. Call (206) 623-0100 or e-mail: [email protected].
The Seattle Symphony’s new season comes with a new conductor, Ludovic Morlot and some surprises. Some highlights include the following – Mei Ann Chen guest conducts the symphony in the annual “Celebrate Asia” program with guests Jie Ma on pipa, Hahn-Bin on violin and Cuong Vu on trumpet. Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Jennifer Koh is violin soloist on March 22, 24 & 25 performing Brahms’ Violin Concerto under the baton of Morlot. On April 16 at 7:30 p.m., Myung-Whun Chung and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra come into town with Wu Wei on sheng performing a mix of Eastern and Western compositions. For a complete schedule, call (206) 215-4747 or go to www.seattlesymphony.org.
Film/Media
Jay Chou and Nicholas Tse star in Dante Lam’s film about a cop thriller that puts two brothers on different sides of the law. “The Viral Factor” opens Jan. 20 at AMC Pacific Place 11 at 600 Pine St. downtown. (206) 652-8908.
A new 35mm print of Samuel Fuller’s “House of Bamboo” screens through Jan. 19 at 7pm. This 1955 feature by the late American maverick director Samuel Fuller looks at US-occupied post-war Japan. Northwest Film Forum at 1515 – 12th Ave. Visit: www.nwfilmforum.org.
In 2006, SIFF presented Eric Byler’s “Americanese” based on UW Professor Shawn Wong’s novel which looks at how racism can damage even the most intimate relationships. If you missed it earlier, here’s another opportunity to see it. One night only screening on Tuesday, Jan 24 at 7 p.m. Uptown Cinemas. Director and author will be present at the screening to take questions. Co-presented by UW’s Creative Writing Program. 511 Queen Anne Ave. N. Call (206) 324-9996.
The Written Arts
Junki Yoshida, founder of Yoshida Group reads from his book at Kunokuniya Bookstore on Jan. 25 at 5pm. 525 S. Weller. For details, contact [email protected]
Writer Pico Iyer returns with a new book entitled “The Man Within My Head” (Knopf) that delves into his affinity with British novelist Graham Greene and Iyer’s own complex relationship with his own father. Wed., Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Town Hall Seattle, 111 Eighth. Call (206) 624-6600 or visit www.townhallseattle.org.
“Embracing Diversity in the Arts – Random Reflections on the Coming Tide of Change” is an article by Ron Chew that appears in the Fall 2011 issue of GIAreader- ideas and information on Arts and Culture” as published by the national arts organization, Grantmakers in the Arts. Call (206) 624-2312 or try [email protected].
Seattle poet Paisley Rekdal had her poem selected for the anthology entitled “Best American Poets” for 2011. The poem is from a forthcoming book of poems entitled “Animal Eye” due out in Feb., 2012.
Local multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer Eyvind Kang who recently won the first Artist Trust’s Arts Innovator Award is the cover story profile for the Jan. 2012 issue of the EARSHOT JAZZ newsletter.
Examiner contributor Yayoi Winfrey has a self-published book now on Goggle Books (http://books.goggle.com/[email protected]=gbs_na/links_s)and an essay in a forthcoming textbook on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (http://www.abc-clio.com/product.aspxisbn=9781598843545). Also check out her new art website at http://www.yayoilenawinfrey.com
Art News/Opportunities
Washington Lawyers For the Arts present a panel & networking opportunity on the subject of business law fundamentals for artists on Jan. 26 at 5:30pm. Held at Garvey Schubert Barer at Second & Seneca Building at 1191 Second Ave. on the 18th floor. To register, visit Brown Paper Tickets at http://brownpapertickets.com/producer/3047 or call (800) 838-3006 at any time.
Artists practicing in craft, literary, media and music arts in Washington State are eligible to apply for the 2012 Artist Trust Fellowship. Deadline is Feb. 26, 2012. Go to www.artistrust.org for details.
The Wing issues an invitation to participate in “Beyond Talk 2”, a fortcoming exhibit on race at the Wing Luke Museum. In 2004, the museum had a show entitled “Beyond Talk: Redrawing Race. In 2013, a new exhibit on race opens. The community is invited to share in conversations on issues of race to provoke ideas for the new show. Talks take place in Feb. March, April and May at various neighborhoods throughout Seattle. To participate and get details, contact Exhibits Developer Mikala Woodward at [email protected] or call (206) 623-5124.
A series of Ikebana classes are offered at Cottage House in Seattle’s Volunteer Park Conservatory. Jan. 10 – Feb. 7. 1 – 3 p.m./ Feb. 21 – March 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. For registration, go to www.seattle.gov/parks or call (206) 684-5177. For more information, go to www.ikebanahq.org.
Applications are now being accepted for the Neddy at Cornish, an annual artist award program supported by the Behnke Foundation and based at Cornish College of the Arts in memory of Robert E. (“Ned”) Behnke. Cash awards and a group exhibition given to selected Puget Sound artists. To see application, go to www.cornish.edu/neddy. For additional information, contact Jennifer Ward at (206) 315-5801 or e-mail [email protected].
Columbia City Gallery is an artist-run collective that represents over 30 local multi-media artists. The space has a Guest Gallery which showcases artists that reflect an ethnically diverse neighborhood. Do you have a great exhibit idea to propose or need more information? Go to [email protected] or email Lauren Davis at [email protected].
Poets & Writers’ Readings/Workshops Program offers small grants for literary events taking place in Seattle and covers writers’ fees for public readings and workshops. Go to www.pw.org/funding for details.
The Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery showcases emerging and established artists of color from ethnic and cultural communities. For details and deadlines, e-mail: [email protected].
Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture offers a residency program for emerging visual artists this summer from June 9 – August 11. A great opportunity to work with a talented faculty of staff and visiting artists. Deadline is Feb. 1m 2012. Apply online at www.skowheganart.org.
There is a deadline of March 1, 2012 for US artists interested in applying for the US/Japan Creative artist’ Program. Multi-disciplinary artists will work in Japan at a project or study of their choice. A grant award will cover housing, living and professional expenses and travel costs will be covered as well. Go to www.jusfc.gov for full details.
Though Seattle Art Museum has temporarily suspended all their art councils, due to financial problems, some members of the Asian Art Council stay in touch as a non-profit known as Friends of Asian Art Association. In their Dec. 2011 newsletter is an interview with Pakistani sculptor Humaira Abio who recently exhibited at ArtXchange Gallery. She lives in Seattle but also works out of a studio in Lahore, Pakistan. For details, go to [email protected].
Award-winning Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”) does more than movies. He is also an installation artist with a background in architecture as well. Now, several new publications focus on his work. “For Tomorrow Tonight” Edited by Maeve Butler & Einear O’Raw (Irish Museum of Modern Art) looks at his body of work in film. “Primitive” looks at a multi-media project that comes out in several genres. The director focused on a village of farmers accused of being communists by the Thai army. Attacked by the army, the inhabitants flee into the jungle. The director worked with the young men of this village to document their struggle. A multi-film installation at a gallery, an on-line installation at Animate Projects and a limited editon artist’s book by CUJO.
