Highlights
The long awaited grand opening for the IDEA Odyssey Gallery will be on First Thursday, July 7 from 5 – 8 p.m.. This collective gallery was founded by Carina del Rosario, SuJ’n Chon and Minh Carrico. The inaugural exhibition “A Sense of Place” guest-curated by Seattle artist Juan Alonzo is on view throughout the month. IDEA Odyssey Gallery, 666 S. Jackson St., Seattle.
KOBO at Higo presents another fundraising event to help relief efforts in Japan. Write a tanabata message and make a wish for children in Japan. June 18 from 12 – 8:30 p.m. All money raised goes toward a foundation helping Japanese orphans left after the tsunami. Also on June 18, Phillip Kobermik will play accordion as part of the Chinatown/ID JAMFEST starting at 6:30 p.m. June 26 will feature an Ikebana Workshop with Megumi Schacher. Kobo at Higo, 604 S. Jackson., Seattle. For details on all this, go to www.koboseattle.com or call (206) 381-3000.
“Cinemetropolis”, a visual soundtrack by the Blue Scholars will be performed at a release party with special guests. June 17 & 18 at Neumos. Doors open at 8 p.m. Log on to www.neumos.com for details.
“Beijing Taxi”, a documentary film by Miao Wang closes Thursday, June 16 at Northwest Film Forum. Our reviewer Yayoi Winfrey called it “A delightful ride through China’s most modern city as viewed through the eyes of three cab drivers.” Winner of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival’s Palme d’Or, Apichatpong Weerasethekul’s “Uncle Bonmee Who Can Recall Past Lives” tells the story of a man at the end of his life contemplating his reincarnation. June 17 – 30. Northwest Film Forum , 1515 – 12th Ave., Seattle. Go to www.nwfilmforum.org for details.
The Tenants Union of Washington present a film screening of Curtis Choy’s “We Won’t Move – The Fall of the I-Hotel” to commemorate the murders of local Filipino American labor activists Silme Domingo and Gene Viernes. Special guest Dr. Estrella Habral who helped organize the movement and the author of a major book documenting the struggle will engage the audience in a discussion on the struggle to save affordable housing in Seattle. Wed., June 29 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska Way, Seattle.
Young Sub Lee is an up-and-coming performer of Korean traditional music and his specialty is the “daegeum” or Korean bamboo flute. He performs as guest artist with Seattle progressive jazz group Moraine which opens for Indonesian jazz-rock-world fusion combo simakDialog, making its Seattle debut on July 1 at 8 p.m. Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park. For details, call (206) 547-6763.
The Wing sponsors “Jamfest”, a summer music festival that combines music, discounts on food, outdoor art and cinema all summer long. The June 18 event features music by guitarist Angelo Pizarro, a discount at House of Hong and art fun at Cullom Gallery. The event runs every third Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. through August in Chinatown. Tickets are available at the Wing Luke museum. For full details, go to www.wingluke.org/jamfest.
AIA Seattle Design Gallery presents “Tight Urbanism”, an exhibit by Daniel Toole, a 2010 AIA Seattle Emerging Professionals Travel Scholarship Recipient. Daniel traveled to Chicago, San Francisco, Melbourne, Osaka and Kyoto to study the potentially vibrant in-between spaces of the built environment. The first display will be in Canton Alley in the International District, on Saturday, July 16. Visit www.aiaseattle.org/node/5601 for more information. The AIA gallery is located on 1911 1st Ave and the event is free.
“Galaxies of Hope: The Japan Tsunami/Earthquake Memorial installation by choreographer/dancer/calligraphy artist Yoko Murao (see related article in this issue) features messages of hope hung in the branches of bamboo trees. Mithun, an architectural firm dedicated to sustainable design in Seattle will collaborate. This exhibit is on view through June 16 on 1201 Alaska Way, Ste. 200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, e-mail [email protected].
The Seattle Butoh Festival will feature performances, workshops and forums on the unique Japanese dance form that is now a world phenomenon. Performers will include butoh masters Koichi and Hiroko Tamano of Harupin Ha Butoh Group from San Francisco and Michael Sakamoto of Los Angeles, and many others. Performances will be in various locations around the Puget Sound from June 3 – June 18. For details, visit www.daipanbutoh.com.
“What remains: Japanese Americans In Internment Camps” is a show that features quilts by Cathy Erickson and poetry by Margaret Chula. This exhibit is on-view through June 26 and is open Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Appointment-only dates are on Monday and Tuesday at La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum in the Historic Gaches Mansion located on 703 S. Second St. in La Connor, Wash. Call (360) 466-4288 or visit
www.laconnerquilts.com.
Ceramic artist Wanxin Zhang responds to China’s unearthed army of terra cotta soldiers with life-size ceramics of his own. “Warhol/Mao” is just one of many contemporary responses by this artist in “Wanxin Zhang: A Ten Year Survey” at Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way N.E. This exhibit runs through August 4. For more information, call (425) 519-0770 or visit www.bellevuearts.org.
Frye Art Museum presents a new exhibit by Degenerate Art Ensemble led by Haruko Nishimura and Joshua Kohl through July 5. The show features props, photos, videos from past performances with various live mini-events and artist tours throughout the run of the exhibit with the premiere of a new work entitled “The Red Shoes” (set for performance on May 12 through June 2). The museum is located at 704 Terry Ave. Call (206) 622-9250 or visit www.fryeart.org for more information.
Seven Seattleites traveled to Hong Kong to learn more from one of the world’s leading examples of sustainable land use and transportation planning. They share their results in a forum entitled “The Success Damage Ratio – Rethinking the Balance Sheet: Lessons from Hong Kong” on June 7 at Town Hall Seattle at 8th & Seneca. Go to www.runstadfellows.wordpress.org for more information.
Festal 2011 is a year-round celebration of ethnic and cultural festivals at Seattle Center’s Center House. Admission is free and open to the public. The Iranian Festival takes place on June 18 from noon to 7 p.m. There will be music, dance, poetry/literature and childrens activities. Appearances will be made by comedian Reza Peyk and writer Jasmin Parznik. Visit Iaca-seattle.org for more information on this event, along with other summer festivals.
Visual Arts
The work of Yozo Hamaguchi, Katsunori Hamanishi, Seiichi Hiroshima, Atsuo Sakazumi, Talkahiro Sato, Kouki Tsuiritani, Mikio Watanabe, Tomoe Tokoi and others are featured in “Mezzotint– An International Selection” at 313 Occidental Ave. S. For information, call (206) 624-6700.
“Art by Attrition” is a group show celebrating “negative” creativity. This show features works extracted from solid materials with the help of saws, chisels, burrs, and a bird from Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Artists include Teresa Faris, Julia Harrison, Shinji Nakada, Jon Ryan, Emily Watson and Hiroko Yamada. The show is on view through June 25. KOBO at Higo Store, 604 S. Jackson. For more information, call (206) 381-3000 or visit www.koboseattle.com.
“The Talent Show” is a group exhibit that examines a range of relationships between artists, audiences and participants’ competing desires for notoriety and privacy. The exhibit includes work by Tehching Hsieh and Shizuka Yokomizo. Organized by Peter Eleey for the Walker Art Center. The exhibit is on view through August 21 at UW Henry Art Gallery located between 15th Ave. N.E. and NE 41st streets. Go to www.henryart.org for details.
Seattle artist Romson Bustillo’s latest site-specific installation entitled “Dinhi sa Paraiso – Here in Paradise” can be seen through July at Hing Hay Park on the corner of S. King St. and Maynard Ave. S. The artist will also have an Open Studio on June 5 from 2 – 6 p.m. located on 4446 44th Ave. S. in Columbia City. Go to romson.tumblr.com for more information or visit the Facebook event page.
Fiber sculpture by Tina Koyama is included in a group show entitled “Fiber and Metal: Organic Transformations” that will be on view at Phinney Center Gallery through July 1. Phinney Center Gallery, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. For more information. Call (206) 783-2244 or go to www.phinneycenter.org. Koyama also has work in a group show entitled “CIRCLES: Artistic Interpretations of this Universal Shape” opening June 16 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Remains on view through Oct. 16, 2011. University House Wallingford at 4400 Stone Way N., Seattle.
“Burbujismo:Pure Color:Bubblism: Pure Color” is a show of new paintings by Marcio Diaz that will be on view through June 30 at ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S. For more information, call (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
Seattle photographer Barry Wong has a new set of color cards featuring his images of Asian vegetables and fruits. A set of 6 cards is $27.38 including tax. Recipients will receive free shipping until June 15. The cards are also available at Wing Luke Museum Marketplace, Northwest Craft Center and KOBO Galleries. Go to www.barrywongphoto.com for details. Also Wong teaches a workshop entitled “The Art of Food Photography” on Sat., July 9 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. To register, call (206) 624-1100 or go to www.glazerscamera.com/store/classes.
The Cullom Gallery specializes in Japanese prints and modern artists influenced by them. In Japan, views of Mt. Fuji from different perspectives was a popular theme for Japanese artists. “36 Views of Rainier” is a group show by artists who offer their contemporary takes on our own grand mountain. This show is available throughout the month of June. Cullom Gallery, 603 S. Main Street. Call (206) 340-8000 for more information.
Local artist Romson Bustillo shows his media print collages in a group show of ten local artists entitled “The Chair Project” now on view at Seattle Design Center located at 5701 Sixth Ave. S. until August. For details go to www.romson.tumblr.com.
The work of Diem Chau is included in a group show entitled “The Mysterious Content of Softness”. The show brings together national and international artists in an exploration of the transformative power of fiber and its connection to the human body. Chau’s work is on view through June 26 at the Bellevue Arts Museum, 510 Bellevue Way NE. Call (425) 519-0770 or go to www.bellevuearts.org for more information.
Together with Nicholas Nyland and Maki Tamura, Saya Moriyasu has created a collaborative installation work entitled “A Clearing in the Clouds”. Works may be viewed at Seattle’s ACT Theatre located at 700 University Street. This event is ongoing.
“Wang Huaiqing: A Painter’s Painter in Contemporary China” traces the artist’s development through 23 innovative works. Recognized as one of China’s leading contemporary artists for his ability to blur the line between abstract and naturalistic art, his work is on view through July 17. “Artful Reproductions” that opened on April 1 looks at how Chinese fabricate complex objects in great quantity. On display are pairs and sets of similar objects that are a result of that productivity. Through September 9 is “Modern Elegance: The Art of Meiji Japan”. “Books on Meiji Art” is an installation that showcases book selections from the McCaw Foundation Library’s collection on Japanese art during the Meiji era, and will be on view until June. All of these events are at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 Prospect Ave. For more information, call (206) 654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.
The Wing opens a new exhibit entitled “Dual Nature – Contemporary Glass and Jewelry” (see review in this issue) with work by Cynthia Toops, Vina Rust, Midori Saito, Ron Ho, Boyd Sugiki, Jeffrey Sarmiento, Masami Koda and Eunsuh Choi. This show is on view through January 15, 2012. “Born Into Identity: The Asian Pacific American Adoptee Experience” includes 13 APA Adoptee artists and oral histories from community members explore the complexities of being an APA adoptee, which is on view through June 19. “Cultural Confluence: Urban People of Asian & Native American Heritages” will also be on view through September 18. An exhibit entitled “New Years All Year Round” that looks at Asian traditions for the New Year from various Asian cultures will be on view through June 26. A group show entitled “From The Ground Up” which features artwork of teenagers involved in the Museum’s YouthCAN program will also be on view. For details on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
The work of Seattle jewelry artist Ron Ho and nationally known ceramic artist Toshiko Takaezu is included in a group show of handmade objects entitled “Process and Presence” on view through July 4 at Maryhill Museum of art in Goldendale, WA. For more information, call (509) 773-3733 or visit www.maryhillmuseum.org.
A retrospective show of Ken Lum, one of Canada’s well-known modern conceptual artists is on view through September 25, 2011 at Vancouver Art Gallery located on 750 Hornby. For more information, call (604) 662-4719 or www.vanartgallery.bc.ca.
Performing Arts
Haruko Nishimura of Degenerate Art Ensemble does a solo turn in the NW New Works Festival June 17 – 19 at On The Boards. 100 W. Roy St. For more information, go to www.ontheboards.org.
“Classical Music of India” is a concert featuring Steve Oda on Sarode and Ty Burhoe on table. Oda is a student of Ali Akbar Khan and Burhoe has studied with Zakir Hussein. Sat., July 9 at 8 p.m. Seattle Unity Church at 200 Eighth Ave. N. Go to www.tyburhoe.com for details.
Local reggae group, Kore Ionz with lead singer Daniel Pak have a new EP titled “Love You Better”. Go to www.koreionz.com for details.
Seattle native Emi Meyer (and former IE contributing writer) has just released a new CD out full of her own songs entitled “Suitcase Of Stone.” Meyer is currently touring in Japan. For more information, go to www.emimeyer.com.
Trumpeter/composer/educator Cuong Vu has not slowed down a step since returning to Seattle from New York to take a teaching position at the University of Washington’s jazz program. A new CD by his AGOGIC group is just released by new Seattle-based label, Table and Chairs. The group features Seattle native Andrew D’Angelo on sax with local young players Luke Berman on bass and Evan Woodie on drums. For details go to
www.tableandchairsmusic.com. The other new release by the Cuong Vu quartet is entitled “Leaps of Faith” (Origin Records) and features unique covers of classics, “Body & Soul” and “My Funny Valentine” with Ted Poor on drums, Stomu Takeshi and Luke Bergman on electric basses and Cuong Vu on trumpet. For details, go to www.origin-records.com.
Seattle jazz group, the Killerbees co-led by Bob Antolin plays weekly on Thursdays at Waid’s Hatian Cuisine at 1212 E. Jefferson., Seattle.
Film/Media
“Beginning of The Great Revival” plays 4 times on June 24 at AMC Theatre at Pacific Place. It features an all-star cast of over 150 including John Woo and Andy Lau. The story takes place 1911 – 1921 when Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing dynasty and planted the roots of what was to become today’s Chinese Communist Party.
Japanese director Takashi Miike, a filmmaker known for spilling copious amounts of gore and blood on screen has taken on the “samurai” film genre in “13 Assassins” and critics are comparing it to classics such as “Seven Samurai”. It features Koji Yakusho in a masterful, nuanced performance as the leader of a group of samurai out to seek revenge on a cunning official. This is on view at the Varsity, 4329 University Way N.E. Call (206) 781-5755 or go to www.magnetreleasing.com for more information. This is on view at 719 S. King. For more information, call (206) 623-5124 or go to www.wingluke.org.
The Written Arts.
Local writer Shahana Dattagupta reads from her debut collection of short stories entitled “Ten Avatars” on June 18 at 3 p.m. This event is free at the Wing Luke Museum located on 719 S. King. Call (206) 623-5124 or go to wingluke.org for more information.
Art News/Opportunities
Lead Pencil Studio (Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo), a Seattle-based art and architecture collaborative will create a multi-gallery installation that references the urban landscape and increased pace of contemporary life. This gallery is on view June 25 – October 25 at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art in Scottsdale, AZ. For information, go to www.smoca.org.
British artist Anish Kapoor is creating a huge work for the Monumenta series at the Grand Palais in Paris. The artist says the piece will be “a single object, a single form, a single color” and that it “will offer a completely new emotional and philosophical experience.” Kapoor will also create an observation tower for London’s 2012 Olympic Games.
Minidoka was the location for an internment camp in Idaho that many Japanese Americans from this area were imprisoned during WWII. The annual pilgrimage to the site takes place June 30 – July 3 in Twin Falls, Idaho. For details, go to www.minidokapilgrimage.org.
Noted local architect George Suyama has a new book about his work entitled “Suyama: A Complex Serenity” (UW Press) by Grant Hildebrand.
Local artist/educator Fred Wong has a new book out on Chinese art entitled “Brush Ink Mind – The Practice of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting”. The book is available at University Bookstore Expresso Book Machine located on the ground floor of the Seattle branch of the University Bookstore in the University District or on-line. For more information, go to www.NonActionPainting.com.
New York’s Park Avenue Armory has commissioned Japanese artist and electronic composer Ryoji Ikeda to create his first installation in the U.S. The artist is planning an immersive environment of light and sound. Ikeda has a reputation for installations that convert sound into binary code or bland-and-white test patterns. The New York piece entitled “transfinite” is based on the mathematical notion of numbers that are beyond our comprehension but not infinite. This event is on view May 20 – June 11.
Pratt Fine Arts Center’s new Summer 2011 catalogue of classes is now available. Local participating artists/teachers include Mark Takamichi Miller, Kamla Kakaria, Lisa Hasegawa and Romson Regarde Bustillo. Go to www.pratt.org, call (206) 328-2200 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
The Wing is looking for volunteers to help out with Jam fest, a monthly neighborhood summer music festival. To help out, call or e-mail Jessica Rubenacker at (206) 623-5124 ext.102 or e-mail [email protected].
