Visual Arts
“The Simple Cup” is a small exhibit that explores this basic form as created by over 50 ceramic artists worldwide including Northwest names like Akio Takamori and Beth Lo. Through Dec. 30. KOBO at Higo. 604 S. Jackson. www.koboseattle.com.
KOBO Teapot show features work from Japan, Europe and the Northwest. Through Dec. 30. Works in felt by Yoko Nomura and Jean Hicks are on display Jan. 21 – Feb. 19, 2006. Reception Jan. 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. KOBO is at 814 E. Roy off Broadway. (206) 726-0704.
“Jewelry, Glass & Small Works” includes work by Linda Hoshide, Shizu Kirk, Yoko Nomura and others. Columbia City Gallery. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. Through Jan. 15. (206) 760-9843.
“Catalog” is an exhibit of work that engages with lists, classifications and categories as curated by the artist group, GRR. Includes 12 artists from six different cities. Rutherford Chang based in Beijing is represented by a video of words. Through Dec. 31. SOIL at 112 Third Avenue S. (206) 264-8061.
New work by Seattle artist Fumi Watanabe on view at Velocity Art & Design through December. 2118 Second Ave. (206) 781-9494.
“Small Works” is a group exhibition by gallery artists featuring new works. The work of Gerard Tsutakawa is included. Through Dec. 23 at both Foster/White Galleries at 123 S. Jackson in Pioneer Square. (206) 622-2833. Also at 1331 – 5th Ave. in Rainier Square. (206) 583-0100. www.fosterwhite.com.
Last chance to catch “Paper” by Kazuo Kadonaga at Solomon Fine Art up till Dec. 9. The Japanese artist investigates the properties of paper by simply arranging and editing into sharper minimalist focus, each sculptural piece to reveal in layers and texture the material’s beauty, purity and soul. Not to be missed. 1215 First Ave. (206) 297-1400.
Annie Han & Daniel Mihalyo are the team/couple known as Lead Pencil Studio.”150 Works Of Art” lets the Lead Pencil Studio fashion a show out of the museum’s collection. On view through Feb. 26. Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington on 15th Ave. N.E. and N.E. 41st.
“Walk of Wisdom,” a new public artwork connecting two buildings on the Mercer Middle School campus at 1600 Columbian Way S. on Beacon Hill will be dedicated on Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by a book release party in the cafeteria celebrating “Words of Wisdom,” a multilingual publication honoring the diversity of cultures represented in the Mercer School community. (206) 725-4735.
“Youth in Focus” is a project that uses photography as a medium to help urban youths explore their artistic vision. Through Dec. 16. The M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery at Seattle Central Community College. 1701 Broadway BE 2116. (206) 344-4379.
Works by Korean American Co-Op Association of Washington State are featured in a group show. Artists’ Gallery of Seattle at 902 First Ave. S. (206) 340-0830. Through Dec. 29.
“Daimian Lux: Blue Series Photographs” is a show of enlarged images of historical architecture taken in Seattle’s Chinatown/International District area. On view through December at The Collins Pub at 526 Second Ave. (206) 898-7090.
Seattle artist Norie Sato recently participated in “art in the built environment,” when the offices of architectural firm GGLO were turned over to a group of local artists. 1301 First Ave., #301. (206) 902-5706 or [email protected].
Internationally recognized sculptor/installation artist/architect Maya Lin keeps busy. She is currently working on a project to commemorate the anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in Oregon. She has also been selected to design the new and bigger Museum of Chinese in the Americas in New York’s Chinatown. In the spring of 2006, the Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington will host a new show by Lin.
The functional beauty of Boyd Sugiki’s glassware is on view in Elements” from Dec. 10 – Jan. 8. Artist’s reception on Dec. 10 from 4 – 7 p.m. William Traver Gallery at 1821 E. Dock St. #100 in Tacoma. (253) 383-3685.
Bellevue Art Museum has “Looking Forward Glancing Back: Northwest Designer Craftsmen at 50” which features the work of Seattle jewelry artist, Ron Ho, through Feb. 26 and “Fiberart International 2004” through Jan. 22. 510 Bellevue Way NE in Bellevue. www.bellevuearts.org.
The Burke Museum on the U.W. campus shows “Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land” by photographer Subhankar Banerjee. Through Dec. 31. Located on N.E. 45th and 17th Ave. N.E. (206) 543-5590.
Wing Luke Asian Museum. “Sikh Community: Over 100 Years in the Pacific Northwest” is one of the first looks at this community through photos, oral history collections and historic & educational materials. Through April 16, 2006. “30 Years After the Fall of Saigon” looks at how the end of the Vietnam war affected both old and young. Through Dec. 18. Wing Luke Asian Museum is at 407 – 7th Ave. S. (206) 623-5124.
The work of Paul Horiuchi is included in the show, “A Sense of Place” through Jan. 15. Tacoma Art Museum. 1701 Pacific Ave. (206) 272-4258.
“Frank Okada: The Shape Of Elegance” is a long over-due retrospective of this late N.W. abstractionist whose paintings shimmer and resonate with the pure beauty of color. Co-curated by Kazuko Nakane who wrote the catalog essay as well. Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner (about 60 miles north of Seattle). Through Jan. 8, 2006. 121 South 1st. (360) 466-4446.
Contemporary Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, known for his large scale environmental works using gun powder, will speak at Seattle Art Museum on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. Free. 100 University St. www.seattleartmuseum.org.
Performing Arts
Philippine pop stars Rico j. Puno, Jajji Alejander, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuniga perform together at Town Hall on Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Town Hall is at 1119 – 8th Ave. Call (212) 418-4438 or (360) 649-5042 or log on to www.carouselpinoy.com for ticket information.
Elizabeth and John Falconer perform on koto and shakuhachi, respectively. Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Free. Floating Leaves Tea at 2213 N.W. Market in Seattle. www.floatingleaves.com.
The ethereal beauty of counter-tenor Brian Asawa is a highlight of Handel’s Messiah as performed by the Seattle Symphony. Dec. 15 – 18. Northwest pianist and Seattle favorite, Jon Kimura Parker performs the “Music of Bernstein and Gershwin” in a New Year’s Eve Concert & Gala on Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. with the Seattle Symphony. For tickets, call (206) 215-4747 or log on to www.seattlesymphony.org.
Film & Video
The “Northwest Asian American Film Festival 2006 Preview Party” takes place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 12. The Festival is set for late January of 2006 but for those of you who can’t wait, this event will feature sneak peeks of the films to be shown plus giveaways of DVD’s and festival passes. Cathy Le of “On Cloud Karaoke” will host some singalongs at 9 p.m. LOFI Performance Gallery at 429B Eastlake Ave. E. www.nwaaff.org/party.
A benefit screening of “Brokeback Mountain,” Ang Lee’s newest film about cowboys in love takes place at 7 p.m. at Pacific Place Cinemas on Dec. 8. 600 Pine St. Advance reviews have been positive. Proceeds benefit Seattle International Film Festival. www.seattlefilm.org.
“Hurry, ends soon!” is the important thing to remember with the following new films –
Japan’s Kiyoshi Kurosawa (no relation to Akira) has carved out a special niche for himself as a master of the quirky thriller that is often deeply unsettling and rich in evocative atmosphere, texture and sound. “Pulse” looks at how computers and the Internet alienate rather than bring us together. At the Varsity through Dec. 8. 4329 University Way N.E. (206) 781-5755.
Itthi-sunthorn Wichailak’s “The Overture” was inspired by the story of Luang Pradit Phairao, the last great master of the ranadek (a Thai wooden xylophone). Criticized for simplistic storytelling and corny sentimentality, it’s the wonderful music that is ultimately this movie’s saving grace. Ends Dec. 8. The Grand Illusion Cinema. 1403 NE 50th. (206) 523-3935.
One of the best kept secrets and best deals in town for learning about Japanese film is the Japanese Film Association’s free Japanese film series. Each film is given a useful introduction by host, Ken Shima, with a Q & A discussion after each screening. Masahiro Shinoda’s “Double Suicide” based on the classic tale by Chikamatsu undergoes a new design using buraku puppet theatre techniques. Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Gowen Hall on the UW campus. http:///students.washington.edu/japanflm/calendar.html.
Written Arts
The Multicultural Book Group meets on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. to discuss Julie Otsuka’s “When the Emperor Was Divine,” an award-winning novel about Japanese American internment. Free. Federal Way Library. 848 S. 320th St. (253) 839-0257.
Awards/Opportunities
Seattle visual artists, writers and media/filmmakers are encouraged to apply for “2006 Project Funding.” “CityArtist Projects” is an annual funding program that supports the creation and presentation of work by individual Seattle artists. Deadline is Feb. 21, 2006. To find out more, email Irene Gomez at [email protected] or call (206) 684-7310.
The Asian American sketch comedy group, The Pork Filled Players are looking for new writers. If interested, e-mail [email protected].
Submissions are being solicited for the Spring 2006 issue of Paj Ntaub Voice Hmong literary journal. The theme is “Spirit.” Deadline is Jan. 1, 2006. For details, contact [email protected].
TAIKOPROJECT, a Los Angeles-based ensemble of America’s premiere, emerging taiko drummers, won the Tokyo International Taiko Contest in October becoming the first American group to ever participate and also receive top honors in this competition. This group enthralled Seattle audiences a few years back with their appearance at Meany Hall World Music Series.
The Before Columbus Foundation announced the American Book Award Winners for 2005. They include Jeff Chang for “Can’t Stop, Wont’s Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation” (St. Martin’s Press) and Bay area poet and writer Hiroshi Kashiwagi for “Swimming in the American: A Memoir and Selected Writings” (Asian American Curriculom Project – AACP).
Visual Communications is now accepting entries for the twenty-second edition of VC FILMFEST, set for May 4 – 11, 2006. For information, call (213) 680-4462×68 or fax (213) 687-4848 or e-mail [email protected]. You can also download an entry from www.vconline.org.
.
