Visual Arts
Highlights
“Uprooted and Invisible: Asian American Homelessness” is a new exhibit that tackles an important issue. Opens Dec. 6 at the Wing from 3:30 – 8pm. To RSVP, call (206) 623-5124×107 or email [email protected].
Seattle artist Weng Gavino completed a large intaglio mural piece entitled “The Philippine Sun Kindles the Salmon Run”, depicting the story of the salmon akin to the Filipino journey in American society, struggling and spawning a legacy of justice and community building. The mural is part of a 7’ tall kiosk entitled “Honoring Filipino Americans in Chinatown International District from 1911 to 2010”. It was unveiled recently in a public ceremony and will be one of four ethnic planned kiosks to be installed in the neighborhood. For more information, contact Maria Batayola at [email protected].
Glenn Richards presents The 12th Annual Mingei Pottery Show on view through Dec. 23rd. this show features the work of eighteen exceptional Northwest potters who find inspiration in the tradition of Japanese folk arts. The work of Reid Ozaki is included in this group show. 964 Denny Way in Seattle. (206) 287-1877 or go to www.glennrichards.com.
“Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art” is a group show 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. 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.
“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 (an outdoor video of her performances around the world can be viewed in the front window of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation offices near Seattle Center) is included in this group show. Part 1 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 of 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 US. 1300 First Ave. (206) 654-3100 or go to www.seattleartmuseum.org.
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The work of Moon Lee and Meiko Hara is included in the show “With a Bang! (Not a Whimper): End-of-Year Group Exhibition at Gallery IMA. Opening celebration on Dec. 6 from 6 – 8pm. On view till Dec. 29. 123 S. Jackson. (206) 625-0055 or go to www.galleryima.com/
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 through Jan. 13, 2013. 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.
Opening Dec. 6 from 5 – 8pm will be a show of new work by Vashon Island sculptor Elaine Hanowell. Entitled “Dog Monkey Crow”, one feels a haunting connection with the soul of each creature. Also open for First Thursday on Jan. 3 from 5 – 8pm. Show continues till Jan. 26. New additions include glass art by Kurimi Conley and New Fairtrade textiles from India by Anita Butail. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 First 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 Second 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
Seattle artist Saya Moriyasu’s work is featured in the following places. 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. A group show entitled “Circular from the Permanent Collection” through Jan. 1, 2013 at Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane. A group entitled “SOIL@SeaTac” at SeaTac Airport’s Concourse A (ongoing). The group show entitled “Japan’s Beckoning Cats – From Talisman to Pop Icon” at Bellevue Arts Museum opening Feb. 22 and on view till August 4, 2013.
Opening Dec. 1 from 4 – 6pm and on view till Dec. 20 is ceramic work by Hanako Nakazato and Betsy Williams. Ingrid Rove of Wooly Bison Recycled Bags and Isabelle Grizzard Robinson of Piano Nobile Home Goods line of hand-screened tea towels, lampshades etc have a one-day display/sale of their goods on. Sat., Dec. 8. Also “Meet Me at Higo” permanent exhibit- Part Two” presented and sponsored by the Wing is a multi-media presentation and self-guided tour that tells the origins and history of the store as a Japanese American five and dime. All 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. “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. 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. Also small exhibits examine the identity and culture of Sikhs in America and the history of the “Killing Fields” in Cambodia.“Vietnam in the Rear View Mirror” explores the complex, interwoven identity of Vietnamese Americans as seen through the eyes of a younger generation. Family Fun Day on Dec. 15 from 1 – 3pm has a workshop on how to make parols (Filipino Christimas lanterns) taught by Roger Del Rosario of Kultura. A YouthCAN exhibit entitled “Ghosts in The Field” opens Oct. 12. “HomeLessness” opens Dec. 7 (6 – 8pm) 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. The museum’s gift shop, Marketplace presents a “Holiday Shop-O-Rama” series of events through December. On Dec. 6, donate a can of food or an item from the Marketplace and receive 10% off. Dec. 8, 10% off all day and 20% off for members. Special activities and refreshments as part of member appreciation day from 1 – 4pm. From 1 – 3pm, watch local artist Aki Sogabe create beautiful paper designs. From 2 – 4pm, pose with an Asian American Santa for photos. On Dec. 15, 10% off all day. From 1- 3pm, meet Louie Gong of 8th Generation as he demonstrates his new product MOCKLIPS, a DIY design toy for the artist in your life. At 3pm, Linda Tamura reads from “Nisei Soldiers Break Their Silence”. On Dec. 22, get a 15% discount from 12 – 5pm. From 10am – 12pm, Early Bird Special with 25% off scarves and 20% off jewelry. Complimentary gift wrapping available. 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. (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
Performing Arts
Looking for some fun during the holidays? Try the Porkfilled Players Sketch Comedy Group’s “Spam *O*Rama Holiday Sketch Show” set for Mon., Dec. 10 at 8pm at Theatre Off Jackson. 409 7th Ave. For tickets, try www.brownpapertickets.com/event/300433. For information, try www.porkfilled.com.
Highlights
“Music With Deems, Holiday Arts & Crafts Market” takes place on Thurs., Dec. 6 from 3 – 9pm. Tired of hearing the incessant mush of muzak as you go about shopping? Then join shoppers as they perk up to the sweet, soulful jazz sounds of live piano by Deems as they check out the local handcrafted goods offered at this holiday market. The live performance begins at 5:30pm. Nagomi Tea House at 519 – 6th Ave. S. in Seattle’s Chinatown/ID neighborhood. RSVP is requested, please email [email protected] or call (206) 623-0100.
Increasingly in music, you find musicians taking more active control over their own music by starting their own record labels so they can have a say in how their music is presented to the world. Recently jazz saxophonist/composer Jon Irabagon started his own label, Irabbagast Records. The first two releases showcase different groups he’s playing with now. “Unhinged” by Jon Ibrabagon’s Outright and “I Don’t Hear Nothin’ But The Blues Volume 2: Appalachian Haze”. For details, try http://jonirabagon.com/
Seattle composer/violinist/violist and Cornish College instructor Eyvind Kang gives a performance as part of Frye Art Museum’s “Moment Magnitude” series on Sat., Dec. 8 at 3pm. Free admission. 704 Terry Ave. (206) 622-9250.
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DreamWorks presents “How To Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular” Dec. 6 – 9 at the Tacoma Dome. Gemma Nguyen stars as Astrid, a trainer of dragons in this stage show loosely based on the animated movie of the same name. For tickets, call 800-745-3000 or go to Ticketmaster.com.
The season is over for ReAct Theater directed by David Hsieh but they are still busy. ReAct cast members will read stories in Annual Holiday Storytimes for kids which take place every Sat. in Dec. at 11am at Elliott Bay Book Company on Capitol Hill. In addition, the Holiday Karaoke Extravaganza takes place Dec. 14 and 15 from 8am – 1pm. Food, fun, and a no-host bar guarantee fun for all. This will be at Vera Studio near Seattle Center. Last, but not least – ReAct Theatre is always looking for donations to keep their theater and season active and thriving. For details on all of this, go to www.reactheatre.org.
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
In an attempt to recreate the tradition of Kokusai Theater, a popular Japanese movie theater which was located in Seattle’s Chinatown/ID neighborhood , the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington has been hosting a movie screening event called “Matinee Eiga” every Sunday at 2pm. Set for Dec. 9 is “Godzilla”. Dec. 16 brings Akira Kurosawa’s samurai epic “Ran”. “Shall We Dance?” that included the American debut of noted Japanese actor Koji Yakusho as a salaryman bent on learning ballroom dance to romance his wife screens on Dec. 23. Suggested donation is $3 to $5. 1414 S. Weller St. (206) 568-7114 or email [email protected].
Say what you will about Director Ang Lee but what I always admire about his films is that he never does the same thing twice and you never know what he’ll do next. His new film taken from the enormously popular novel, “Life of Pi” about the saga of a young Indian boy and a tiger stranded at sea on a boat opens at SIFF at the Uptown in 3D and various other local venues. 511 Queen Anne N. (206) 324-9996.
Thai filmmaker/artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul (“Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives”) will have his new film entitled “Mekong Hotel” (see related story in this issue) screened at Northwest Film Forum from Dec. 7 – 13. The story is about a hotel near the Mekong River in northeast Thailand and its’ strange inhabitants. His films have non-linear plotlines that deal with memory, politics and social issues. 1515 12th Ave. (206) 829-7863.
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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.
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. All events are at the bookstore unless stated otherwise. Burmese journalist Aung Zaw of Irrawaddy.org will be in Seattle to discuss the current situation for the press and journalism in Myanmar. Sat., Dec. 8 at 9:30am as part of the Saturday University Myanmar and Its Many Peoples Lecture Series presented by Gardner Center For Asian Art And Ideas in partnership with UW’s Jackson School of Int. Studies, Partners Asia and EB. This event at Seattle Asian Art Museum’s Stimson Auditorium. 1400 E. Prospect in Volunteer Park. For more details on the above event, go to www.seattleartmiuseum.org. Finally for the last reading of the year at EB , Seattle writer and professional technologist Ramez Naam uses his technological knowledge to inform his debut SF novel thriller entitled “Nexus”. He reads on Tues., Dec. 18 at 7pm. Looking ahead to January, poet/educator Lawrence Matsuda reads with Carol Guess, and Scott Alexander Jones on Jan. 7. 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. This event is free. Contact the store for details on each event. The Book Larder is at 4252 Fremont Ave. N. (206) 397-4271 or email [email protected]
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. 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.
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
Nominations are now open for the 2013 Irving & Yvonne Twining Humber Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, an annual award of $10,000 given to a Washington State female visual artist, age 60 or over, who has dedicated 25 years of her life to creating art. The award recognizes creative excellence, professional accomplishment and dedication to the visual arts. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 17.
The EDGE Professional Development Program for Literary Artists takes place March 1 – April 13, 2013. The deadline to apply is Dec. 21, 2012. This program will offer a comprehensive survey of professional practices through a hands-on, interactive curriculum that includes instruction by professionals in the field as well as specialized presentations, panel discussions and assignments. Writers will gain relevant and necessary entrepreneurial skills to achieve their personal career goals and the opportunity to develop peer support and exchange.
Professional visual artists with a lengthy track record who need financial assistance might try the Gottlieb Foundation. Go to http://gottliebfoundation.org/grants/ for details.
Asian American poets are encourage to submit new work to a special issue of the Malpais Review, a respected Southwest literary magazine. For details, go to malpaisreview.com.
NEA Literature Fellowships available for translation projects of prose, poetry or drams from other languages into English. Deadline is 1/3/13. Go to http://bit.ly/R7nwWT for details.
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.
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.
Contemporaru 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.
