Visual Arts
Highlights
“New Geographies of Feminist Art: China, Asia + the World” (see related article in this issue) addresses the practice, circulation and cross-cultural significance of feminist art from Asia. Panels and roundtables look at and discuss work from China, Singapore, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. Organized by UW professors Sonal Khullar and Sasha Welland. Keynote address by UCLA Professor Shu-mei Shih. Nov. 15 – 17. All events are free and open to the public. To register and get the full schedule, go to http://depts.washington.edu/newgeos.
“Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art” is a group act showcasing contemporary artists working this meticulous craft. This touring exhibit comes from the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture and was curated by Dr. Andreas Marks. Opens Nov. 13 and stays on view through Feb. 3, 2013. Also don’t miss “BAM Biennial 2012: High Fiber Diet,” a group show that features more than 40 contemporary fiber artists including work by Jisean Lee Isbara, Paul Komada and Jan Hopkins. Through Feb. 24, 2013. Bellevue Arts Museum. (425) 519-0770 or go to www.bellevuearts.org. In a related vein, Portland Japanese Garden has a show entitled “BAMBOO ART – Mediation & Transformation” on view through Nov. 25 in their Pavilion Gallery. (503) 223-1321 or go to www.japanesegarden.com.
“Now Here is also Nowhere” is a two-part meditation on non-linear accounts of how— in making artworks about ideas and intangible concepts — artists continually question and destabilize the nature of the art object. The work of Korean performance artist Kimsooja (a video of her performances around the world can be viewed in the front window outside of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation offices near Seattle Center) is included in this group show. Part I is now on view in the South Gallery through Jan. 6, 2013. Henry Art Gallery on the UW Seattle campus. 15th Ave. NE and NE 4lst Street. (206) 543-2280 or go to henryart.org.
“Social Order: Women Photographers from Iran, India and Afganistan” gives Seattle a chance to see the vision of women from another part of the world. With Shadi Ghadirian, Gazelle Samizay, Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Manjari Sharma and Priya Kambli. Through Dec. 15 at Photographic Center Northwest. 900 12th Ave. (206) 720-7222 or go to www.pcnw.org.
“Women Take Over” is the poster you’ll see all over town advertising Seattle Art Museum’s much anticipated traveling show, “Elles: Women Artists from the Centre Pompidou” on view through Jan. 13, 2013. SAM will stir in women artists from their own collection as well (including the work of Japanese mixed-media artist Yayoi Kusama who recently had a massive retrospective at the Whitney). For details go to www.seattleartmuseum.org/ells. Also at the museum through May 5, 2013 is a group show entitled “The distant relative who calls at midnight,” which links together work from Aboriginal Australia, India, Canada and parts of the U.S. 1300 First Ave. (206) 654-3100 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org.
A pair of new shows on Indian art are currently on view at Seattle Asian Art Museum through Dec. 2. “Many Arrows From Rama’s Bow: Paintings Of The Ramayama” tells the compelling story of the moral and epic struggles of kings, warriors, wives and brothers as they travel through the world of humans, animals, gods and demons. Art depicting these scenes and heroes will be shown. “Women’s Paintings From The Land of Sita” looks at a group of women in villages of northern Bihar, India and how their ritual painting on the walls and floors of their homes became known worldwide with the use of handmade paper. 1400 E. Prospect in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or go to seattleartmuseum.org.
The Affordable Art Fair is a concept started in England and now spreading to cities around the world. The aim is to present affordable art to the novice as well as the art lover in a casual yet elegant setting of small gallery mini-exhibits. Nov. 8 – 11 at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. 305 Harrison St. Go to afforableartfair.com for details.
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The work of Etsuko Ichikawa, Yuri Kinoshita and Yuki Nakamura is included in a group survey of emerging and established Northwest women artists. Through Dec. 1 at SAM Gallery: Art Sales & Rental. 1220 Third Ave. (206) 343-1101.
Local artist Tina Koyama has fiber sculptures on view in a group show of Northwest Designer Craftsmen members. Also former IE graphic designer Olivia Zapata has work in a group show of “Small Works”. Both shows at Columbia City Gallery from Nov. 14 – Jan. 13, 2013. Artists’ reception on Sat., Nov. 17 from 5 – 8pm. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or go to www.ColumbiaCityGallery.com.
Tacoma Art Museum’s “Best of the Northwest” exhibition (on view through March 2013) features work by Paul Horiuchi, Mark Takamichi Miller, Kenjiro Nomura, Frank Okada and Roger Shimomura. “Memories And Meditations: A Retrospective of Michael Kenna’s Photography” remains on view through March 2013. This British photographer’s series on Japan is sublime, with evocative images of the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido. Tacoma Art Museum. (253) 272-4258 or go to www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.
“Conversations” is a show of new work by Vashon Island artist Donald Cole whose abstract work has been influenced by his travels through Asia. Till Nov. 17. New additions include glass art by Kurimi Conley and New Fairtrade textiles from India by Anita Butail. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or try [email protected].
Quilt artist Shingo Nakano from Japan is in a group show entitled “Material Men: Innovation & The Art of Quilt Making” billed as the first large scale group show of men’s work on the West Coast. On view through Dec. 20. La Connor Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 2nd St. in La Connor, WA. Call (360) 466-4288 or go to www.laconnerquilts.com.
“Where Have They Been? Two Overlooked Chinese Female Artists” is the quirky title of a new show that looks at two Chinese female artists who prioritized the careers of their husbands while sacrificing their own. The work of calligrapher Ch’ung-ho Chang Frankel and abstract painter Lu Wujiu is featured. On view through Dec. 30 at Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. Call (206) 654-3100.
G. Gibson Gallery’s “Homage To Elles” includes women artists represented in the gallery. Expect to see work by Diem Chau, Saya Moriyasu and Thuy-Van Wu included in this show. Up till Nov. 10. With work by photographer Michael Kenna in the back. 300 S. Washington St. (206) 587-4033 or go to www.ggibsongallery.com.
Saya Moriyasu’s work is also featured in a group show entitled “Eastern Traditions/Western Expressions” at Boise Art Museum through Jan. 10, 2013. 670 Julia Davis Dr. in Boise, Idaho. Call (208) 345-8330.
New ceramic work by Kris Marubayashi and Yoshinaga Kawamura opens Nov. 10 from 5 – 7pm and remains on view till Nov. 30. On Nov. 17 – 18, the work of jewelry artist Nicky Falkenhayn is featured in a trunk sale. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail [email protected] or call (206) 381-3000.
The Wing has the following shows and activities. “George Nakashima: A Master’s Furniture and Philosophy” on view till Jan. 20, 2013 looks into the world of this master craftsman/furniture maker originally from Seattle who would go on to make a name for himself in a studio in rural Pennsylvania. The curator of the Nakashima show will give a walking tour on Sat., Nov. 10 at 1pm. “Fashion: Workroom to Runway” is on view till April 21, 2013. It shows how the fashion world has been touched by Asian Pacific Americans. Work and contributions by local and nationally known designers . “Unfolding the Art of Paper” is on view until Jan. 6. “Inside/Out: APA Girls and Suicide” through Nov. 18 is an exhibition exploring the complex topic of young Asian Pacific American women and suicide – providing a place for dialogue around this important issue. An on-going exhibit “I Am Filipino” continues and offers a gateway of history through the telling of personal stories from Filipino American local families. “Vietnam in the Rear View Mirror” (see related article in this issue) explores the complex, interwoven identity of Vietnamese Americans as seen through the eyes of a younger generation. Family Fun Day on Nov. 17 from 1 – 3pm has a workshop on how to make your own furoshiki led by Mizu Sugimura. A YouthCAN exhibit entitled “Ghosts in The Field” opens Oct. 12. “HomeLessness” opens Dec. 7 and continues through August 18, 2013. “New Years ALL YEAR ROUND” opens Jan. 19 and remains on view till June 30, 2013. “Paul Horiuchi And Contemporary Paper Artists” opens Feb. 15 and continues until July 14, 2013. For information on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
Cullom Gallery specializes in showing artists influenced by the Japanese printmaking tradition both there and in the West from ancient to the modern. 603 S. Main St. (206) 340-8000 or email [email protected].
Seattle artist Louise Kikuchi has her work in a group show entitled “Circular From The Permanent Collection” Through Jan. 1, 2013. Museum of Northwest Art at 121 S. First St. in La Connor, WA. (360) 466-4446 or visit http://www.museumofnwart.org
Seattle Keiro has recently re-designed their outdoor garden. An open house was recently held to celebrate the new design. 1601 E. Yesler Way in Seattle. Call (206) 323-7100.
At the Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center – a Japanese American History Museum, you’ll find the following. Their permanent exhibit is “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of an American Community.” On view till Jan. 2013 is “Coming Home: Japanese Americans in Portland After World War II”. Call (503) 224-1458 or go to www.oregonnikkei.org.
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.
Through Nov. 4 is a show entitled “The World in the Palm of Your Hand: Chinese Snuff Bottles from Pacific Northwest Collections” at Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon. Go to www.willamette.edu/museum_of_art/.
Performing Arts
Highlights
Local writer Jean Davies Okimoto’s play “Uncle Hideki” was a real favorite when it played Seattle many years ago. Now she has written a sequel that looks at this Japanese American family 10 years later. The cantankerous “Uncle Hideki” once again played by community activist Herb Tsuchiya come to town for another visit that will surely stir up the family tree. REACT Theatre presents a local reading of “The Hideki Cycle” at two local venues. Sunday, Nov. 18 at 6:30pm. Elliott Bay Book Company located at 1521 – 10th Ave on Capitol Hill. Monday, Nov. 19 at 8pm at Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center located at 140 – 17th South (near Keiro). For details, go to www.reacttheatre.org.
ACT Theatre has some interesting things coming up this fall. From October 12 – November 11, look for a collaboration with the local South Asian community in their presentation of the classic Indian tale, “The Ramayana”. Adapted and crated by Yussef El Guindi and Stephanie Timm and co-directed by Kurt Beattie and Sheila Daniels. This engrossing story follows a young hero named Rama who goes on a quest to rescue his wife from an evil king. The characters are fundamental to the culture of India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and many other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. With a multicultural cast of 14 in 30-plus roles. A series of performances and talks running before and during staged productions follows. Call (206) 292-7676 or go to acttheatre.org.
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Sachie Mikawa is part of the cast of the Café Nordo company in their latest production combining food and theater. “Somethin’ Burning” is a mystery as viewers guess who killed a chef in a diner. At Theater off Jackson through Nov. 18. 409 7th Ave. S. (800) 838-3006 for tickets or log on to cafenordo.com.
Singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata plays the Tractor Tavern in Ballard (5213 Ballard Ave. NW) on Nov. 16.. Go to ticketweb.com for tickets. Yamagata’s website is www.rachaelyamagata.com.
OHANA Restaurant & Sushi Lounge presents “Live Jazz Mondays” with Deems Tsutakawa. 2207 – 1st Ave. in Seattle’s Belltown. (206) 956-9329 or visit ohanabelltown.com.
Broadway Center for the Arts in Tacoma has the following – Classical pianist Cecile Licad performs with NW Sinfonietta on Nov. 10. 901 Broadway in Tacoma. (253) 591-5890 or visit www.broadwaycenter.org.
The Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue has the following: Nov. 9 brings Huayin Performing Arts Group’s production of “Enchanting China/Burning Phoenix.” 11100 NE 6th St. (425) 450-3810.
Northwest Sinfonietta (Seattle performances at 7:30 p.m. in Benaroya Hall with each concert repeating on Sat. night in Tacoma and Sunday afternoon in Puyallup) brings pianist Cecile Licad in a program of Chopin on Nov. 9. Call 888-356-6040 or visit nwsinfonietta.org for the above events with Licad. For Seattle Symphony events, call (206) 215-4747 or go to www.seattlesymphony.org.
“Focus on Japan: Regional Dynamics in East Asia” is the title of a symposium discussing Japan’s views on the changing geopolitical landscape of Asia and its future. Featuring Japanese professors Matake Kamiya and Yoichiro Sato at UW’s Allen Library Auditorium. 3:30 – 5 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended. Call (206) 685-9997 or email [email protected] for details.
The 3lst Ayame Kai Holiday Craft Fair takes place on Sat., Nov. 17 from 10am – 4pm. This annual event features artists from Washington, California, Oregon and Hawai’i. Sales benefit programs by Nikkei Concerns. At Blaine Memorial Methodist Church at 3001 – 24th Ave. S. (425) 827-4930 or (425) 255-8723 for details.
Philharmonia Northwest led directed by Julia Tai unveils the world premiere of “Cerulean Landscape” by Angelique Poteat. Nov. 18 at 2:30pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Seattle. 4805 NE 45th St. (206) 675-9227 for information.
Early warning – Pop music and culture from Japan and Korea are gaining global popularity these days. Barboza’s sponsors a “JK Pop! DJ Night” where you can hear this music and dance the night away. Featuring DJ Bishie and Dj Hojo. Thursday, Dec. 6. Barboza is located at 925 E. Pike. $3 at the door.
Artist Trust, the non-profit organization that supports the arts in Washington State have their annual benefit art auction set for Feb. 23, 2013. For details, go to www.artisttrust.org.
Film/Media
Highlights
“Two Shadows” (see related story in this issue) tells the story of a Cambodian American woman who journeys back to Cambodia in a search of her long lost brother and sister. Directed by Greg Cahill and produced by Christen Hepuakoa Marquez and starring Sophea Pel, the film recently had a Seattle premiere at the Admiral Theatre in West Seattle. It received the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Los Angeles Asian American Film Festival this summer. Go to www.twoshadowsmovie.com for a sneak peek.
If you missed the Academy Award-winning film set in Hawai’i entitled “The Descendants”, it screens for free at 4:30pm at the Wing on Nov. 10. And the 4th Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival features many of the musicians whose music was used in that film’s Grammy-nominated soundtrack. Concert on Nov. 11 at 2pm at Town Hall Theater. If you would like to learn how to play the sweet, soulful sounds of Hawaiian music, some of the performing concert musicians will also be teaching slack key, steel guitar and ukulele on Nov. 10. To sign up for the music workshops, call Dusty Strings Music at (206) 634-1662 or go to [email protected] or call (808) 722-8575. Tickets to the Nov. 11 concert can be had at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/271061. For information go to seattleslackkeyfestival.com or email [email protected].
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Donna Bae and Zhou Xun have parts in the new film, “Cloud Atlas” adapted from the best-selling novel by David Mitchell currently in Seattle at various theatres.
A Russell Crowe action feature entitled “The Man with the Iron Fists” that takes place in feudal China is playing in Seattle at various theatres. It marks the directorial debut of hip-hop impresario RZA and stars him as well as Lucy Liu, Jamie Chung. Cung le, Daniel Wu and Gordon Liu. Presented by Quentin Tarantino.
“Bwakaw (“Voracioius”)” is a new independent feature film from the Philippines written and directed by Jun Robles Lana about the loneliness and missed opportunities of an ailing, 70 year-old gay man. Positively received at international film festivals, the film may become the country’s entry in the best foreign-language film category if it passes the Academy awards’ nomination process.
The Written Arts
Highlights
Elliott Bay Book Company sponsors and co-presents fascinating readings by authors in venues across the city and in their own bookstore as well. Some not-to-miss events include the following. Outdoor/nature writer Dylan Tomine reading from his new book about introducing nature to his children on Oct. 21 at the bookstore. Also looking forward to November: Former Sunset Magazine staff writer Linda Lau Anusasananan talks about her new book entitled “The Hakka Cookbook – Chinese Soul Food from around the World,” in a series of appearances in the Northwest including Portland, Seattle and Vancouver B.C. Go to www.The HakkaCookbook.com and select “events.” And to avoid a complete conflict of interest, I must confess that Linda is my sister and I did the artwork for the book. Elliott Bay Book Company is at 1521 Tenth Avenue in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. (206) 624-6600 or visit www.elliottbaybook.com.
The Book Larder is a new bookstore with a demonstration kitchen in the center of its space. This bookstore focuses on books on food and has a varied series of events open to the public with book talks, cooking demonstrations and workshops. Some activities are free and others require pre-registration and a fee. Contact the store for details on each event. The Book Larder is at 4252 Fremont Ave. N. (206) 397-4271 or email [email protected].
The Gardner Center for Asian Art & Ideas presents their new Saturday University Lecture Series entitled “Myanmar and Its Many Peoples” on Saturdays from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. This series features specialists on Myanmar (formerly known as “Burma”) who will introduce its ethnic diversity and trace the changes from a kingdom to British colony to military state, from ancient Buddhist architecture to activist Buddhist monks, and up to the current peace process. On Nov. 10, a speaker will address the topic of “Journalism in Myanmar.” In the last event of this series on Nov. 14, the artists Wu Mali and Navjot will be introduced and talk about their work. Call (206) 442-8480 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org/gardnercenter for details on all these events. Many of these events are presented in conjunction with UW’s Jackson School of International Studies and Elliott Bay Book Company.
Seattle Town Hall has served as a back porch forum for the city with its’ clever mix of discussion topics, authors and performing arts events. On Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Tamin Ansary gives a talk about “The Untold History of Afghanistan” in which he gives a complex history of that country that goes deeper than the picture of a struggling democracy and more than just a headline Islamic war between fanatics. 1119 Eighth Ave. (206) 652-4255 or email [email protected].
“Journey of Heroes” is a new manga book about the 442nd Japanese American fighting battalion during WWII. The project was directed by Stacey Hayashi and the art was done by Damon Wong. For details, go to [email protected]. The team had a recent book signing in Seattle.
New York forager/ author Tama Matsuoka Wong is the author of a new book entitled “Foraged Flavor: Find Fabulous Ingredients in Your Backyard or Farmer’s Market.”
“Angel Island – Immigrant Gateway To America” (Oxford) by Erika Lee & Judy Yung and winner of the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Award for Adult Non-Fiction is now out in a new paperback edition. This book on the immigrant history of the West Coast’s version of New York’s Ellis Island will stand as the definitive resource for years to come.
Chinese Canadian author David H. T. Wong has written the first graphic book to explore a century of Chinese North American history entitled “Escape to Gold Mountain: a Graphic History of the Chinese in North America” (Arsenal Pulp Press).
Art News/Opportunities
Terri Hiroshima has been appointed to the Seattle Arts Commission by Mayor Mike McGinn. A Puget Sound resident since 1992, she has worked in Seattle’s non-profit sector for more than 18 years. She is currently Director of Marketing & External Relations at Crosscut Public Media, an online news outlet that focuses on in-depth coverage of Northwest issues. Her background in the arts has included marketing and communications roles at Seattle Theatre Group, Empty Space Theatre and One Reel.
Congratulations to local drummer/composer Paul Kikuchi who received a City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs City Artist Project Award. Projects help fund new works and works-in-development in various artistic disciplines year by year.
Local musician Brian Chin’s newest recording just out is entitled “Eventide”. It contains five pieces specifically commissioned through the Universal Language Project. For more information, go to www.chinmusik.com.
Marie Chong returns to the Seattle-based ARC Dance Company as artistic and executive director. She was previously with ARC but had left to work with Cirque du Soleil.
The city of Enumclaw is seeking artists to display their work in participating local businesses during the Enumclaw Chamber Winter Wine Walk on Nov. 17, 2012. For an application, contact Gary LaTurner at [email protected] or call (360) 802-0239.
Looking for politically inspired fine art from the Northwest region. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/LFucXl for details.
Politically inspired fine art from Northwest artists (Wash., Oregon, Alaska and Idaho) is sought for an exhibition. Go to http://bit.ly/J661WI. Deadline is 12/31/12.
Northwest Folklife seeks performers and instructors for the 2013 NW Folklife Festival. Download applications at www.nwfolklife.org. Deadline is Dec. 1, 2012.
Contemporary Vietnamese artist Danh Vo won this year’s Hugo Boss Prize of $100,000. The award is given out every two years for significant achievement in contemporary art. Vo was 4 when his family fled South Vietnam only to be rescued by a Danish ship at sea. They eventually settled in Denmark. Vo’s work chronicles this journey between countries and cultures, juxtaposing elements of the historical and personal.
Photographer An-My Le who teaches at Bard College is a recent recipient of a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. Recipients cannot apply for this fellowship but are nominated by secret jurors around the country. Each fellow receives $500,000 over the course of five years with no strings attached.
Japan Art Association’s Praemium Imperiale award went out to New York-based artist Cai Guo-Qiang in painting and Yoko Morishita in the category of theater/film.
