Pete McCormick’s “I Am Bruce Lee” is a 90-minute documentary film on the legacy of this legendary figure in the world of martial arts and entertainment. Interviews with those who knew him well are sprinkled throughout the film. August 9 only at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Northwest Film Forum at 1515 – 12th Ave. Call (206) 829-7863.
“A Thin Thread” features new work by two Japanese women artists. Gouache and pencil drawings by Mugi Takei and watercolor paintings by Rumi Koshino. Both artists explore symbols and memories of the human condition with a quirky grace and a delicate yet probing sensibility. First Thursday opening on August 2 from 6 – 8 p.m. On view through August 18. Cullom Gallery, 603 S. Main St., Seattle. Call (206) 919-8278 or go to www.cullomgallery.com.
“Lui Ding’s Store: Take Home and Make Real the Priceless in Your Heart.” What happens when a Beijing modern artists commissions work by made by workers in an art-reproduction factory? Find out in this American debut solo show by Lui Ding. The museum interior has also undergone renovation from the walls to the floor. Come see the museum make-over as well. Through Sept. 23, 2012. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave. Go to www.fryemuseum.org for details or call (206) 622-9250.
“From Hiroshima to Hope” is the annual lantern floating ceremony for peace at Greenlake. On August 6. Call (206) 763-2841 or go to www.hiroshimatohope.org. Volunteers always welcome.
“The 8th Biennial Japanese Quilt Exhibition – At Play – Asobi” is a group show of quilts by instructors and members of Hanatsunagi-Kai Quilt Club of Japan now on view at La Connor Quilt & Textile Museum through Oct. 7, 2012. This takes the viewer through a variety of styles from traditional to modern abstract with bold technique to bright colors and a sense of whimsy. Especially striking and markedly different than the Japanese quilts is an upstairs exhibit “Ainu Embroidery” devoted to elaborations on traditional Ainu patterns by a Japanese quilt artist who studied for ten years with an Ainu woman. The Ainu, Japan’s indigenous people had a reverence for their natural surroundings and it is reflected in their stark yet beautiful designs. at 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.
The Wing has two interesting yet vastly different shows this summer. Currently on view is “Inside/Out: APA Girls And Suicide.” Asian American and Pacific Islander women have the highest suicide rate among women ages 15 – 24. A lack of comprehensive data hinders efforts to understand and treat this alarming statistic. This exhibit attempts to explore a much needed dialogue around this difficult topic. Opening July 12 is “George Nakashima: A Master’s Furniture and Philosophy.” The late, internationally known master furniture maker made his name from a studio in Pennsylvania but not every one knows that he spend his early days in Seattle before the war until life after internment would scatter him and other families across the country. Includes vintage furniture, architectural drawings and sketches. Go to www.wingluke.org for details.
The work of Romson Regarde Bustillo and June Sekiguchi is included in a group show entitled “The Material Calls: Artists-in-Residence at the James and Janie Washington Cultural Center” at the Hedreen Gallery. The show is a tribute to noted Northwest sculptor/painter James Washington and the many artists who participated in residencies at the Washington Foundation (Washington’s actual studio) in the Central District during the last five years. Through Sept. 29. Poetry and music on August 11. Exhibition and events at Hedreen Gallery at Lee Center for the Arts at Seattle University. 901 12th Ave. Call (206) 296-2244 or go to www.hedreengallery.us. Open Wed. – Sat.
“At Owners Risk” is a site-specific installation by Avantika Bawa. The installation is on view through August 10. The site-responsive installation addresses the current structure and function of the Suyama Space as an architectural firm and gallery, while also reflecting on its early history as an auto body shop and livery stable. 2324 Second Avenue in Seattle’s Belltown between Battery and Bell. Open M – F from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call (206) 256-0809.
“Through Our Eyes: Filipino American Artists” is a group show guest curated by Pweka Olivia Zapata for Columbia City Gallery. It features the work of James Lawrence Ardena, Weng Gavino and Ricky Montilla. Through August 5. 4864 Rainier Ave. S. Call (206) 760-9843.
Visual Arts
“The Record: Contemporary Art And Vinyl” is a new show now at the Henry Art Gallery through Oct. 7. Included in the show is work by Kevin Ei-ichi deforest, Taiyo Kimura and Lyota Yagi The show looks at the culture of vinyl records and how it intersects with contemporary art and includes work from artists around the world. Activities include the following – “Celebration: National Vinyl Record Day” on August 12 and “Record Appreciation Society” on August 10, 24 & Sept. 13. 15th Ave. NE & NE 41st St. Go to http://bit.ly/henryrecord for details.
Azuma Gallery presents recent acquisitions of rare and early works from two estate collections featuring the works of Umetaro Azechi, Haku Maki, Kiyoshi Saito and many others. There is also a show to introduce the work of Kazuyuki Otsu, an emerging woodblock printmaker and longtime apprentice to master artist Kiyoshi Saito. Remains on view through August 21, 2012. Azuma Gallery, 530 1st Ave. S. Call (206) 622-5599 or go to www.AZUMAgallery.com.
The work of Zhi Lin and Ren Sun is included in a group show entitled “Prographica Seattle/Commentaries: Artists Respond to the Land” on view at Prographica/fine works on paper located at 3419 E. Denny Way. Through Sept. 1. Go to www.prographicadrawings.com for details.
Sculptor/curator June Sekiguchi has the following shows in which she is represented. Artist Trust Edge Graduates Show at Washington State Convention Center July 18 – Oct. 18 with opening reception on Sept. 7 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery at Seattle Municipal Tower on the 6th floor at 700 – 5th through July 30.
The work of California artist Judy Shintani is included in “Rootbound: Heaven and Earth 4”, a group show of site-specific, temporary public art at Carkeek Park on view through Oct. 31. Sponsored by COCA, Carkeek Park Advisory Council, Seattle Parks & Recreation, 4Culture and City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. For details, go to www.heavenandearthexhibition.org.
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.
Join friends in Chinatown/International District’s own “First Thursday/Artwalk” every month from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Visit various galleries in the neighborhood. For details, go to SeattleChinatownID.com.
“Skin” is a show of encaustic sculptures by Deborah Kapoor now on view through August 11. Open for First Thursday on August 2nd from 5 – 8 p.m. ArtXchange Gallery, 512 First Ave. S. Call (206) 839-0377 or visit: www.artxchange.org.
June Sekiguchi has a site-specific installation entitled “With/Without” as part of SAM Gallery’s “Summer Introductions” show opening July 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. Remains on view through August 18. 1220 Third Ave. downtown. Call (206) 343-1101.
“Meet Me at Higo: An Enduring Story of a Japanese American Family” is a new permanent exhibition here created through a National Park Service grant to preserve the history of Japanese American internment with assistance from Wing Luke Museum. Author/artist Betty Reynolds lived in Japan for years and filled her sketchbooks with drawings that later became paintings. On view August 11 – September 6.Also look out later this summer for a book-signing/reading for “Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic” (Lee & Low Books) by Oregon-based children’s writer Ginnie Lo and her sister, Beth Lo who did the illustrations. Beth Lo is a nationally known ceramic artist based in Montana. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail [email protected] or call (206) 381-3000.
Seattle Art Museum downtown has the following – On the second floor see an offering of Toshiko Takaezu’s large ceramic jars in the “New Acquisitions” show along with Brendan Tang’s send-up of Chinese Ming dynasty vessels meets techno-pop shapes inspired by Japanese anime and manga. SAM, 1300 First Ave., Seattle. Call (206) 654-3100 or visit: www.seattleartmuseum.org for details.
On view till August 5, 2012 will be a show entitled “Colors of the Oasis, Central Asian Ikats” which features 40 colorful robes created during the 19th century using the labor-intensive process known as ikat. Seattle Asian Art Museum, 1400 Prospect Ave., Seattle. For more information, call (206) 654-3100 or visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.
The Wing has a new show “I Am Filipino” which looks at Filipino identity through personal stories and photographs. A new exhibition exploring the complex topic of young Asian Pacific American women and suicide – providing a place for dialogue around this important issue. “Vintage Japantown: Through the Lens of the Takano Studio” on view through Sept. 16. For information on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
Shigeki Tomura series of dry points and etchings feature landscapes of a contemplative nature undisturbed by human development. He’s no doubt influenced by having been born in the deep north landscape of Aomori. See his “Reflections” at Davidson Galleries. Remains on view through September 1. 313 Occidental S. Go to www.davidsongalleries.com for details.
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.
The work of Patti Warashina is included in a group show drawn from MAC’s permanent collection entitled “Uncommon Gifts.” On view till August 25. Museum of Arts & Culture at Eastern Washington State Hstorical Society, 2316 W. First Ave., in Spokane. Call (509) 456-3931. Warashina also has a retrospective of her work in ceramics entitled “Wit And Wisdom – Patti Warashina” with the catalog essay written by Northwest art historian Martha Kingsbury. Now through Sept. 29, 2012. American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA. Go to www.amoca.org for details. The show is expected to travel and will be shown at Bellevue Arts Museum sometime in the future.
Roger Shimomura’s work is in a group show at the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. entitled “Portraiture Now: Asian American Portraits of Encounter.” Through Oct. 14, 2012. Go to www.npa.sl.edu. After the show closes, it will tour including venues in Washington State. Shimomura also has a show at Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in Portland through Oct. 7, 2012 entitled “Roger Shimomura: Selections from Shadows of Minidoka”, a visual exploration of the incarceration experience by the artist, who was imprisoned in an internment camp when he was a child. Call (503) 224-1458 or go to www.oregonnikkei.org.
“The Big Picture” is an exhibit of celebrity and athlete portraits taken by Singaporean photographer and University Oregon alumnus Russel Wong. On view through August 19, 2012 at Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon in Eugene. 1430 Johnson Lane. Call (541) 346-3027 or go to jsma.uoregon.edu.
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.
Performing Arts
ACT Theatre has some interesting things coming up this fall. As part of their 6th Annual New Play Festival, look for the premiere of “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam,” a powerful coming-of-age story of how a young Vietnamese becomes a man and American in the journey from Vietnam to this country. On stage from September 7 – October 7. 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”. Call (206) 292-7676 or go to acttheatre.org
Singer/songwriter David Choi & Clara C come to the Neptune on Oct. 5. Although they have performed previously as solo acts playing their own guitar accompaniment, this fall tour marks the first time that they will perform with their individual bands. They have a “kickstart” campaign online to raise funds for the costs of this tour. Tickets available at stgpresents.org or call (877) 784-4849.
“The Air is Different” (482 Music) by Tomas Fujiwara & The Hook Up is dedicated by this New York-based drummer to his grandfather and grandmother who had a Buddhist temple in Japan. Go to www.TomasFujiwara.com for details.
“Initial Here” (Greenleaf Music) is the second recording by bassist/composer Linda Oh. Oh says, “this album tells a story about identity. Cultural and musical. I wanted to go in a few different directions to explore some more extreme emotions.” Born in Malaysia and raised in Australia, Oh came to New York five years ago. Go to www.lindaohmusic.com for details.
“My Nocturne” (Tippin’ Records) by Teriver Cheung features all new compositions by this Hong Kong-raised jazz guitarist, now a resident of New York. Classical training and a love of piano give his music a poetic yet dark lyricism. Go to www.tippinrecords.com for details.
Seattle-based composer/performer Byron Au Yong created a multimedia night-garden in 2004 for his musician grandfather in collaboration with Steve Ditore, Chishan Lin, John D. Pai and Lorraine Pai at Jack Straw New Media Gallery. Now the haunting music for that installation entitled “YIJU” (Present Sounds Recordings) is released. Go to hearbyron.com for details.
Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra led by Bay Area educator, drummer, composer and ethnomusicologist has long produced music that reflects the very real multicultural riches that our country’s musical heritage truly represents. Their most recent recording entitled “India & Africa – A Tribute to John Coltrane Live @ Yoshi’s” (Water Baby Records) explores and extends the great saxophonist/composer’s early forage into the musical traditions of those two countries. Go to www.anthonykbrown.org.
Trumpet player/composer/educator Cuong Vu, who teaches music at UW latest release entitled “Leaps Of Faith” (Origin Records) captures an energetic live set of his original compositions back in 2010 at the Chapel Performance Space. With Ted Poor, Stomu Takeshi and Luke Bergman. Visit www.cuongvu.com for details.
A social dance class is held on Friday, August 3 at 6:30 p.m. NVC Memorial Hall at 1212 S. King St. For details, email [email protected].
Catch “Chinatown-ID Jamfest” Third Thursday Series through August from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. You’ll find different bands and performers in concert throughout the district. Go to WingLuke.org/Jamfest for details.
Film/Media
Recent films shown at this year’s SIFF are beginning to surface for extended runs in local theaters – Michael Winterbottom reworking of Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” now set in India entitled “Trishna” stars Freida Pinto. Opens July 20 at Harvard Exit, 807 E. Roy. Visit www.landmarktheatres.com. “Starr Starry Night” from Taiwan is a bit too sentimental on the edges but strong performances by the actors who play the two kids who don’t fit in at school and imaginative use of animated origami animals who come alive to escort them makes the film come alive. At Pacific Place downtown.
Chen Kaige’s reinterpretation of a Chinese opera entitled “Sacrifice” opens July 27 at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown. 511 Queen Anne Ave. N. Go to www.siff.net for details.
“Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” (see related article this issue) is a documentary film on one of China’s most famous artists and his campaign of opposition to the Chinese government. Opens August 3 at Harvard Exit, 807 E. Roy. Call (206) 781-5755.
Seattle Asian Art Museum in partnership with Tasveer present a “Bollywood Outdoors Film Series” set for the Volunteer Park Amphitheater (in case of rain, in SAAM’s Stimson Auditorium). On Friday, August 3 see Abhinay Deo & Akshat Verma’s “Delhi Belly” at 8:45 p.m. Seattleartmuseum.org for details.
The Written Arts
“Soul Calling: A Photographic Journey through the Hmong Diaspora” (Heyday) by Joel Pickford is the first photographic recording of the Hmong people’s journey from Laos to the United States. Pickford captures the Hmong experience through a long history of persecution, survival and adaption. The Fresno Art Museum will premiere a major exhibition based on this book on September 28, 2012. With this show will be an exhibit of pab ntaub (story cloth art) by Houa Vang. The exhibit runs through January 2013. For details, go to http://www.fresnoartmuseum.org/exhibitions/upcoming. Today, over 260,00 Hmong live in this country as our friends and neighbors. For details on the book, go to www.heydaybooks.com.
“Prisons and Patriots: Japanese American Wartime Citizenship, Civil Disobedience and Historical Memory” (Temple) is a new book by Cherstin Lyon that provides a detailed account of forty-one Nisei, known as the Tucsonians, who were imprisoned for resisting the draft during WW II and parallels that with the courage of civil rights hero Gordon Hirabayashi who resisted the draft, fighting a legal battle against curfew and internment. Part of the series, “Asian American History and Culture”. Lyon is Assistant Professor of History, California sztate University, San Bernadino. Go to www.temple.edu/tempress for details.
“San Francisco Chinatown – A guide to Its History and Architecture (City Lights) by Philip P. Choy is the first book of its kind that goes beyong the “oriental” façade of this community to reveal a history rooted in the political past of the city, state, and nation. This book is both a history of America’s oldest Chinese community and a guide to its architectural history. For details, go to www.citylights.com
Bruce and Ju-Chan Fulton are local literary treasures and their translations of contemporary Korean literature continue to shed light on a subject that deserves a wider recognition. With “River Of Fire And Other Stories (Columbia University Press) by noted Korean woman writer O Chong-Hui, we bear witness to a nation recovering from the ruins of war, family dysfunction, decline of traditional, rural culture and the rise of the city and industrial development – all done through the women’s eyes and voices. For details, go to www.cup.columbia.edu. The Fulton’s no doubt will be doing a local reading of this book.
Local 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.
Art News/Opportunities
A Japanese Buddhist sculpture of the late Heian Period (794-1185 CE) is the latest Japanese art acquisition for Seattle Art Museum and comes as a gift of the Monsen’s. This Amida Buddha will be on view beginning July 21 at SAAM’s Foster Galleries.
Congratulations to composer/pianist Vjay Iyer whose work has received numerous awards this year. He was honored by being included in a record five categories of The 2012 Downbeat International Critic’s Poll. No other artist in the magazine’s history has ever taken five titles simultaneously. The Jazz Journalists Association honored him with “Pianist of the Year” at their 16th Annual Awards Ceremony. He was also chosen as one of the inaugural recipients of the Doris Duke Artist Award and named a winner of The Greenfield Prize for excellence in multidisciplinary arts. Iyer’s latest release “Accelerando” is just out on the ACT Music + Vision label.
Congratulations to Columbia University Professor, literary critic and educator Gayatri Chakrovoty Spivak whose work focuses on those marginalized by western culture including immigrants, the working class and women. She recently received the annual Kyoto Prize by the Inamori Foundation given out to international figures for global achievement.
National Endowment for the Arts Arts Work Grants have a deadline of August 9, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/dtMMe for details.
Residencies in Budapest for visual artists, writers and performers from 12/27/12 – 1/12/13. Deadline is August 11, 2012. Go to http//bit.ly/PecMof.
The Map Fund supports artists, ensembles, producers and presenters in the disciplines of contemporary performance whose work exudes a spirit of exploration and deep inquiry. Deadline is Oct. 17, 2012. Go to http//bit.ly/LwDzel for details.
Japanese Studies Fellowships program gives scholars, researchers, and doctorial candidates the opportunity to conduct research in Japan. Deadline of Nov. 1, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/kklDZe for details.
39th Northwest Filmmakers’ Festival is open to residents of AK, BC, ID, MT, OR and WA. You may submit up to two works of any length or genre. Deadline of August 1, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/2CBeyA for details.
2013 POWFEST issues a call for entries that showcase the art and cinematic contribution of women directors from around the world. Deadline is August 17, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/xY1L5 for details.
The Aesthetica Art Prize is a celebration of excellence in art from across the world and offers an opportunity for artists to showcase their work in the international art world. Open to artists across America. Deadline is August 31, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/w376qB for details.
Looking for politically inspired fine art from the Northwest region. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/LFucXl for details.
Call for artists for the 2014-15 season at Morris Graves Museum of Art. The proposal should be clear and concise and include the exhibition’s thesis, educational intentions, intended audiences, and artwork you plan to include. Deadline is Sept. 20, 2012. Go to http://bit.ly/MrjEdV for details.
Respected Bay Area artist/educator Carlos Villa won a 2012 Guggenheim Fellowship in the Fine Arts.
Noted Korean sculptor/installation artist Do Ho Suh whose work is part of Seattle Art Museum’s permanent collection has created a new piece entitled “Cause and Effect” for Western Washington University’s distinguished outdoor sculpture collection.
Chul R. (Charles) Kim was recently named Associate Publisher for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Northwest noted ceramic artist Patti Warashina has a survey of her work found on the West Coast (from early to current) entitled “Wit And Wisdom” opening July 14 at American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, California. Art historian Martha Kingsbury will write the catalog essay. Selected work from the show comes to Bellevue Arts Museum sometime in 2013.
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.