Arts Etc.- 11/04/09 Update

Highlights

• Opening Nov. 19 from 6- 8 p.m. and continuing on view through Dec. 22 is a new show by of ceramic sculpture and installation by UW ceramic professor Akio Takamori entitled “Europeans” in which the artists continues his wry look at world history, colonialism and how different cultures meet and collide. Expect humor and lovely handling of color, glaze and calligraphic lines. On view with a show of new photographs by Danny Lyon famous for his shots of civil rights struggles, work camps and prisons in the deep south. James Harris Gallery at 312 Second Ave. S. Hours are Tues. – Sat. from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (206) 903-6220 or visit jamesharrisgallery.com.
• There’s a dark post-apocalyptic humor lurking in Elizabeth Jameson’s new show entitled “post-bellum” which has an opening reception on Nov. 12 from 6- 9 p.m. with a special performance by musical guests Lushy. One image has a mother in child posing in white with gasmasks attached. The mother’s white dress is dotted with a motif of red crosses. At Featherston Gallery at 818 East Pike St. Hours are Tues. – Sat. from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (206)322-9440 or www.feathersongallery.com.
• November is Tacoma Arts Month with a whole host of activities celebrating art in our South Sound just down the road. Part of that is the Studio Tours on Nov. 7 & 8 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come out and meet your local artists and see what they’re up to. Fumiko Kimura, Lois Yoshida, Sharika Roldan, Lisa Kinoshita and Keiko Wesley are just a few participating. The 4th Annual Arts Symposium takes place Nov. 14 & 15 and the Art Slam on Nov. 18th at the Rialto Theatre with a show of visual and performing art created by South Sound talents. Log on to visit www.ArtatWorkTacoma.com for complete details
• Aono Jikken Ensemble will discuss and perform examples of their work for silent film in “Sounds of Shadow and Light” on Wed., Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Straw Studios located at 4261 Roosevelt Way NE (206) 634-0910.This can be seen as a preview of their major performance of a live score to Kenji Mizoguchi’s silent film classic, “The Downfall of Osen” on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at SIFF Cinema. 321 Mercer at 3rd at Seattle Center. For tickets and information, call (206) 324-9996 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.siff.net/cinema” www.siff.net/cinema or www.aonojikken.net
• Concluding events in the Earshot Jazz Festival include the following- Jay Thomas East/West Double Trio (includes jazz musicians from Japan) play City Hall free on Thursday, Nov. 5 at noon. They have a full-length concert later that same day at Poncho Concert Hall at Cornish College at 8 p.m.Paul Kikuchi’s Portable Sanctuary shares the bill with Hans Koch on Sat., Nov. 7 at Chapel Performance Space at 8 p.m. (206) 547-9787 for tickets & information or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.earshot.org” www.earshot.org
• Hungering for new Asian American theatre? Check out SIS Productions presentation of “Insatiable 4 (the win), Seattle’s 4th Annual Asian American Playwrights Festival set for Sunday, Nov. 15 at Prima Vera Arts Center. New works by Maggie Lee, May Nguyen and Roger Tang will be performed. 112 – 5th Ave. N. 2nd floor. (206)-323-9443.

Visual Arts

• Visual artist Cheryll Leo-Gwin (see related story in this issue) will talk about her new work based on the effects of the US/Chinerse Exclusion Act of 1882 on women and their families in the US and China. Friday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Bellevue Art Museum. 510 Bellevue Way NE (425) 519-0770 or visit www.bellevuearts.org.
• The delicate poetic thread of Diem Chau’s stichery weaves its’ way through narratives of family and friends in a new show of her fabric/ceramic creations entitled “New Work” paired with the “Accumulations”, new paintings of poetic layering/de-constructions of collapsed houses by Thuy-van Vu (her work currently on view at Wing Luke Asian Museum as well) opening Nov. 5 from 6 – 8 p.m. Artist talk on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. On view through Nov. 21. At G. Gibson Gallery located at 300 South Washington St. (206) 587-4033 or visit HYPERLINK “http://www.ggibsongallery.com or visit www.ggibsongallery.com. Chau’s work is also featured in the Oct. issue of American Craft Magazine and in a group show “Over and Under: A Show of Stitches” curated by Jenny Hart at Austin’s Yard Dog Gallery Nov. 6 – Dec. 6. http://overandundershow/blogspot.com.
• Meiro Koizumi is a contemporary Japanese artist who will be in residency in Puget Sound in the fall. Viewers have a chance to see various aspects of his work around the area as curated by independent curator Yoko Ott. The show at Hedreen Gallery/Lee Center for the Arts at Seattle University is a career retrospective of his video work on view through Jan. 9. 901 – 12th Ave. (206) 296-2244. This show runs concurrently with a new installation the artist is contemplating on Japanese American agriculture and the internment experience entitled “The Corner of Sweet and Bitter”. On view from Nov. 10 – Jan. with an opening event on Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. At Open Satellite in Bellevue located at 989 – 112th Ave. NE #102. (425) 454-7355. In addition, he gives an Artist Lecture on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m .at Henry Art Gallery in the auditorium. For complete details, go to http://opensatellite.org/exhibition-2009-11MeiroKoizumi.
• “China Design Now” is an immersive multi-sensory experience reflecting the new Chinese urban environment through Jan. 17. Continuing through Nov. 15 is “APEX: Joseph Park”, a series of paintings by Seattle artist Joseph Park based on a range of photographic sources. Portland Art Museum at 1219 SW Park Ave. (503) 226-2811 or visit www.portlandartmuseum.org.
• “So Long” is a multi-media installation by Brent Watanabe that explores computer controlled generated animations, robotics and sound. Artist talk on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. On view through Dec. 30. At Jack Straw Productions at 4361 Roosevelt Way NE (206) 634-0919 or www.jackstraw.org.
• KOBO at Higo presents the following. Sculptural lighting by Hiih Lighting is set through Nov. 15.This firm from Portland brings together the function of light the craft of paper and the art of sculpture. Toshi Asai from Nagoya, Japan shows oils, pencil on paper and mixed media, “Pop art with a punk twist” (Regina Hackett review) from Nov. 7 – 29. Opening reception is Nov. 7 from 6 – 8 p.m. Ken Taya returns with Enfu, his “Hybrid Nippop” work portraying a parallel world where both Japanese and American worlds co-exist. Dec. 3 – Jan. 3, 2010 with an opening reception set for Dec. 3 from 6 – 8 p.m. Ceramic artist John Dix now based in Japan will be showing his woodfired ceramics during Jan./Feb. of 2010. 604 S. Jackson.(206) 381-3000 or [email protected].
• The work of Seattle photographer Carina del Rosario is included in “A Community Art Show” featuring the work of emerging sSeattle artists. Artist reception on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. Show on view Nov. 9 – Dec. 11th. Hosted by South Seattle Community College Art Gallery – Brockey Student Center at 6000 – 16th Ave. SW (206) 764-5337 or visit [email protected]/art.html.
• ArtXchange Gallery presents on view through Dec. 31, gouache on paper and paintings on wood panel by Bui Vong Khanh. The exhibit traces the evolution of Kkanh’s work from post-graduate to the present through his transition from various media. The artist has a playful take on traditional and modern motifs of Vietnamese culture. Gallery artist Chiyo Sanada , a professional calligrapher and sumi-e artist leads a workshop on how to make cards and small paintings. Cost is $20 which covers materials and refreshments. No experience necessary and suitable for all ages. Sat., Nov. 14 from 1 – 3 p.m. RSVP for this workshop at [email protected] 512 – 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377. www.artxchange.org. Also during Nov./Dec., the gallery has mini-shows of lacquer paintings by their artists at The Teacup at 2128 Queen Anne Ave. N., The Signature at 530 1st Ave. N., Red Square Yoga at 1911 – 10th Ave. W. and Ummelina Int. Dayspa at 1525 Fourth Ave. ArtXchange director Cora Edmonds shows her photography from Nepal at Rung Studios during Georgetown Art Attack on Nov. 14 from 6 – 9 p.m.
• Puget Sound Sumi artists hold their annual exhibition entitled “Autumn Visions” at the Northwest Craft Center & Gallery. On view through Nov. 12. 305 Harrison St. at Seattle Center. (206) 728-1555 or visit www.northwestcraftscenter.com.
• Northwest Fine Woodworking presents their 30th Annual Box & Container Show which opens Nov. 5 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. On view through Nov. (206) 625- 0542.
• “Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: Indigenous Voices Reply” juxtaposes historic objects and photographs from the 1909 Exposition with contemporary artwork by Native artists exploring how the representation of indigenous people and cultures has changed over 100 years. It should be noted that indigenous people from the Philippines were in the original 1909 show. On view through Nov. 29. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington. 17th Ave. NE and NE 45th. (206) 543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org.
• “Layers” is the title of a show by glass artist Boyd Sugiki remains on view through Jan. 3. This Northwest artist created a series inspired by Istanbul’s skyline of historic domes and minarets alongside modern buildings. Museum of Northwest Art at121South First St. in La Connor, WA (360) 466-4446 or visit www.museumofnwart.org.
• Seattle Asian Art Museum has on view until Feb. 21, 2010 , “Transforming Traditions:Japanese & Korean Art Since 1800” and “Live Long and Prosper: Auspicious Motifs in East Asian Art”. Mimi Gates, former director of SAM and now the museum’s Director Emerita, inaugurates the new Center for Asian Art and Ideas at SAAM with a “Saturday University” series of lectures by professors who specialize in different aspects of Asian Studies from art to history to political science. Saturday mornings at 9:30am. The topic is Chinese art on Nov. 7 and Japanese history on Nov. 14. Log on to www.seattleartmuseum.org/calendar/calendar.asp for details and call (206) 654-3121 for tickets. As part of the Free First Satudays Series for family and children, there will be a workshop on shadow puppets on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. Listen to a traditional Asian myth and then bring the character to life as a shadow puppet. No registration required. Visit seattleartmuseum.org. 1400 East Prospect in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or log on to www.seattleartmuseum.org.
• Wing Luke Asian Museum – “Across the Spectrum: Stories from Queer Asian Pacific America” will be on view through Feb. 14 of 2010 in the Boeing Company Community Portrait Gallery. “Parallel Lines: 8 Contemporary Seattle Artists”, a group show curated by Tracey Fugami through Nov. 29. The show draws comparisons between artists Tram Bui, Mark Takamichi Miller, Jason Huff, Akio Takamori, Patti Warashina, Saya Moriyasu, Thuy-Van Vu and Joseph Park . Artist and historian Susan Kunimatsu leads a discussion on “Art and Identity” by Asian Pacific American artists with curators/gallery owners Karen Higa, Ken Matsudaira, Cora Edmonds and Tracey Fugami, Curator of “Parallel Lines” on Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. 719 S. King. (206) 623-5124 or www.wingluke.org. Just opened is “Asian Voices”, a YouthCAN exhibit. “Animation & Comics” opens Aug. 15 from 4 – 6 p.m. in KidPLACE. A related activity is “Exhibits Exposed: Animation & Comics” in which you’ll see how images can have a life of their own in the comic world. Get ready for “Yellow Terror: The Collection and Paintings of Roger Shimomura” opening Sept. 10 with the show ongoing through April 18, 2010 in the Special Exhibition Hall.
• The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) features the exhibit, “The Arts and Crafts Movement in the Pacific Northwest on view till Jan. 16, 2020. 2700 – 24th E. (206) 324-1126.
• The work of Patsy Surh O’Connell, Deng Juo and Fumiko Kimura is included in a group show entitled “Ink Connection: China, Korea and Japan” at the Gallery at Tacoma Community College through Dec. 15.
• What does graffiti inscribed on canvas beds by American military on ships heading towards Vietnam during the war era tell us about that time in history? Find out by seeing “Marking Time: Voyage to Vietnam”, a new show opening Sept. 17 and on view through Dec. 13. Washington State History Museum. 1911 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. (253) 272-3500 or www.washingtonhistory.org.
• Asian Pacific Cultural Center of Tacoma presents workshops on Korean culture. “How to Make Kimchi” on Nov. 5 at 6pm., “How to Fold Papers the Korean Traditional Way” on Nov. 12 at 6pm and “Learn the Korean Alphabet in Two Hours” on Nov. 19 at 6pm. (253) 226-2742 or visit www.asiapacificculturalcenter.org.
• “Requiem: By the Photographers Who Died in Vietnam and Indochina” is a pictorial documentation of the history of the Vietnam War from the early 1950s through to the fall of Saigon in 1975. An international traveling exhibit that makes its’ Northwest debut at this museum. With a series of lectures and films . Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon. 700 State St. www.willamette.edu/museum_of_art.
• Asia Society Museum in New York City presents the first U.S. museum survey of contemporary art from Pakistan entitled “Hanging Fire-Contemporary Art from Pakistan” now through Jan. 3, 2010. 55 works by 15 artists in various media. Curated by Salima Hashmi. For details, go to [email protected].

Performing Arts

• Bora Ju performs the “Zither Music of Korea” on Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. as part of the “Resounding Strings Concert Series” at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. Free with museum admission. Visit seattleartmuseum.org for details.
• A staged reading of Kiki Yeung Johnson’s “Second Chances for Grace: Episode 1” takes place on Thurs., Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Admission by donation. The play revolves around the challenges in life a young woman must face including cancer, sex, food, drugs and more. Ethnic Cultural Theatre at 3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE (206) 781-3879.
• REACT Theatre presents “Last of The Boys”, local playwright Steven Dietz’s look at Vietnam veterans who must confront the past. Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. $5 donation at the door. Elliott Bay Book Company in Pioneer Square. For reservations, log on to www.REACTtheatre.org.
• Classical guitarist Xuefei Yang performs on Nov. 10 at Benaroya Hall. (206) 215-4747 or visit www.seattlesymphony.org.
• A concert of flute music by Paul Taub will include the work of composers like Toshio Hosokawa and Bun-Ching Lam. Nov. 14. Visit www.cornish.edu/music/series for details.

Film/Media

• Acclaimed director Mira Nair has two films in the area. She has a short film as part of the “New York, I Love You” collection of shorts by various directors now screening in Seattle and the forthcoming feature-length bio/pic. of American aviator Amelia Earhart coming soon.
• Many say the Godfather/pioneer of today’s Anime/Manga tradition is the Japanese manga artist Osamu Tezuka. One of his classic cartoon series characters, “Astro Boy” has achieved “Superman” status in most countries in Asia. Now it is being brought to the big screen in a new adaptation October 23.

Written Arts

• Local poet Kim-an Lieberman joins other writers for a reading of the 2009 Jack Straw Writers at Seattle Central Library on Sat., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. 1000 Fourth Ave. Free.
• Hannah Pakula reads from “The Lst Empress: Madame Chiang kai-shek and the Birth of Modern China” (Simon & Schuster) on Tues., Nov. 17 at Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Stimson Auditorium. Free. 1400 E Prospect. (206) 624-6600 or visit www.seattleartmiuseum.org.
• Award-winning poet Marilyn Chin jtakes the feminst edige and biting humor found in her poetry and hones it to a razor sharp focus in her new book of prose entitled “Revenge of The Mooncake Vixen” (ww Norton & Co.), a book of short stories that tell the modern fable of two Chinese local food delivery girls who sell bad Americanized Chinese food to homes throughout Southern California. Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Elliott Bay Book Company. 101 South Main. (206) 624-6600 or visit www.elliottbaybook.com.
• Local mystery writer Martin Limon signs copies of “GI Bones” (SOHO), the sixth novel in an on-going series about a pair of military intelligence cops during the Korean War. Nov. 7 at noon. Seattle Mystery Bookshop at 117 Cherry St. (206) 587-5737.
• Philip Lee, formerly of Lee & Low Children’s Book Publishing Company, has started a new foundation called “Readers to Eaters – food literacy from the ground up.” Their aim is to provide books to the community that will give us a basic knowledge of where our food comes from so we can make better food choices and make a more positive impact onour body, mind, community and the world. Plans include displays around area events and eventually, a permanent bookstore. For details, e-mail [email protected] or call (206) 849-1962.

Arts News/Opportunities

• Japanese American Boy Scout Troop $53 commemorates its 89th year history in celebration at the Museum of Flight on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. 9404 E. Marginal Way S. (206) 778-8377 or [email protected].
• Artist Trust continues to provide Washington State artists with news of opportunities, events, jobs, space, and resources. They are also seeking donations of art from area artists for their annual fundraiser. For more information on all this and more, log on to www.artisttrust.org.
• Congratulations to Seattle ceramic artist and former UW Ceramics Professor Patti Warashina who received the 2009 Regis Masters Series Award from Northern Clay Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art.
• Washington Lawyers for the Arts presents a workshop entitled “Rights of Privacy & Publicity Affecting Artists” set for Tues., Nov. 17 from noon – 1:30 p.m. St Stoel Rives llp at 600 University St., Ste. 3600 in Seattle. To register, call 800-838-3006 or RSVP at (206) 328-7053 or visit www.thewla.org.
• Over 14 Asian American women artists are represented at this year’s celebration of craftswomen event taking place in the Bay Area on Nov. 28 & 29 and Dec. 5 & 6. Hebrst Pavillion at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Open 10 – 5 p.m. For tickets, call (650) 615-6838 or visit www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org.
• From Nov. 19 – Jan. 9, the Center for Contemporary Art (CoCA) will present the 2009 Annual, a juried exhibtion with a $500 first prize. CoCA is seeking work from emerging and established artists. See www.cocaseattle.org/annual_call.html for more information, including submission requirements.
• The Friends of International Children’s Park seek professional artist(s) to submit an application for an opportunity to design a public art piece to be installed in the redeveloped International Children’s Park located on 7th Ave. S. and S. Lane St. located in the Chinatown/ID community. For details, log on to www.friendsoficp.org or call (206) 838-8721.