Visual Arts
Highlights
Last chance to catch “Rations, Rights Remembrance: Fife in World War II and Japanese Internment Camp”, an exhibit now on view at the Fife History Museum that looks at how the War affected this small Washington agricultural community and its diverse citizenry. Ends in early November. Local veteran and Fife resident Choichi Shimizu reads from his memoir, “Cho’s Story” this Thurs., Oct. 16th at 6pm with Everett artist Chris Hopkins who will show a series of paintings from a series based on the Japanese American internment camps. Free. Regular museum hours are Wed., noon – 4:30pm, Fri., noon – 5pm, Sat., 10am – 2pm and Sun., noon – 4:30pm. 2820 54th Ave. E. in Fife.(253) 896-4710.
“Hand and Wheel – Contemporary Japanese Clay” looks at the long standing ceramic tradition in Japan and surveys the work of modern ceramic artists working from the traditional to the contemporary. Organized by the Portland Art Museum and curated by Maribeth Graybill, Ph.D., The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art. On view from Nov. 1 – June 21, 2015. 1219 S.W. Park Ave. (503) 226-2811.
“Withered Lotus Cast in Iron” is the title of the first solo exhibit of the distinguished Chinese artist Pan Gongkai, son of the renowned twentieth-century master Pan Tianshou. A contemporary master of ink painting, Gongkai prepares large-scale compositions without interruption, in sessions that often last more than twelve hours. He considers this physically demanding process as a key performative element of his work. For the Frye Art Museum show, Pan has created a large-scale, site-specific ink painting which will extend the entire length of the museum’s largest gallery. (206) 432-8288. Frye Art Museum is at 704 Terry Ave. or go to to www.fryemuseum.org.
“Art Prints of Sadao Watanabe” is on view from Oct. 27th – Dec. 30th. This exhibit showcases Christianity through the folk art “Biblical Prints” of Japanese printmaker and artist Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996). On display will be stencil prints, original stencils, and tools of the artist as well as monographs from the East Asian Library Collection on mingei and mingei artists. At the Allen Library North Lobby, East Asia Library in Gowen Hall on the 3rd Floor. (206) 543 – 4490.
Davidson Galleries has in Oct., the eerie, detailed etchings of Tomiyuki Sakuta. 313 Occidental Ave. S. in Seattle. (2060 624-6700 or go to www.davidsongalleries.com.
Art is where you find it and sometimes you have to go beyond the commercial galleries and look in the nooks and crannies of alternative spaces and public art locations. ”Art Interruptions 2014” is one such series. Ten emerging artists have created temporary art installations throughout the First Hill area for this project. The artworks will inhabit city sidewalks, parks and offer a brief interruption of your routine and who doesn’t need that? Each artist will develop their work for around ten weeks starting in August. Administered in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Parks and Recreation. Funded by SDOT, 1% for Art funds and managed by the Office of Arts & Culture. Some highlights include the following. Megumi Shauna Arai presents “A Tribute” which looks at certain events in the artist’s life. Her photographic series entitled “Hand History” is taken into an installation realm with large silk fabric prints and coinciding studio recordings that channel the small moments and conversations that make up a day. Jason Hirata’s performance piece entitled “I Hope To Do No Harm, Yet I Cause Harm” will find the artist on designated routes on Tues., Th. And Fridays doing his best to interact with crows all along the way over a period of a few months. Check Hirata’s website for details. “Kintsugi” is the ancient Japanese technique of repairing broken pottery with seams of lacquer, gold, or silver. It speaks to breakage and repair becoming part of the history and character of the object and thus adding to its beauty. The art team of Joana Stillwell & Yael Nov apply this philosophy to the streets as they try and “repair” the cracks and breaks in the sidewalks of First Hill with hand-made fool’s gold. Please refer to the map for various locations around First Hill. Go to http://www.seattle.gov/arts/publicart/temporary_projects.asp?project=art=interruptions-2014 for complete details.
*Seattle artist Akiko Masker has work in a group show entitled “Ready to Die” inspired by the iconic masterwork of the late rapper Biggie Smalls. At 2312 Gallery in Belltown at 2312 – 2nd Ave. on view till Nov. 4th.
*”Being Human” is a group exhibition guest-curated by local artist Kathy Liao now on view at South Seattle College Art Gallery located in the Jerry Brockey Student Center Building next to the Bookstore on campus. On view until Oct. 24th. Gallery hours are 10am – 4pm from Mon. – Fri. 6000-16th Ave. SW in Seattle. For more information, call (206) 934-5337.
Multi-media artist Paul Komada uses weaving, drawing, painting and the tactile feel of materials to integrate installations that cross over a variety of media. Saya Moriyasu is a multi-media artist that incorporates ceramic material into her whimsical installations. Maki Tamura is inventive, mischievous, detailed and precise in her work that incorporates various media and materials. All will create site-specific pieces as part of a public art series entitled “MadCampus” which will be found all over the University of Washington campus in Seattle. Inspired by their locations, from hidden nooks to well-frequented vistas, the selected artists will create new sculptures designed to be interactive. On view until Oct. 25th of this year. (206) 499-5823 or email tim@madartsseattle.com for details.
“Act of Drawing” by Etsuko Ichikawa marks this artist’s debut with a new Seattle gallery. It presents the latest work from her series, “Glass Pyrograph and Aquagraph”, a series of drawings of fire and water charcoal stained on paper. Using molten glass above the surface of the paper, she creates marks of expressive gesture captured spontaneously in the act for her glass pyrographs. Her aquagraphs use water as a medium and the way it drops on the page, captured with scorched candle soot to reveal an x-ray of the very act of its’ imprint. On view until Oct. 30th, 2014. Winston Wachter Fine Art at 203 Dexter Ave. N. in the South Lake Union area just off Aurora. Mon. – Sat. from 10am – 5pm or by appointment. (206) 652-5855 or go to www.winstonwachter.com.
KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown/International District has the following – The ever popular annual fall show, “8th Simple Cup Show Invitational” opens on Sat., Nov. 1st, 2014 and remains on view until Dec. 31st. This version features work from not only North America/Japan but for the first time introduces to the Seattle audience, the work of Korean contemporary ceramic artists as well. Go to koboseattle.com for updates. 604 S. Jackson St. (206) 381-3000.
On view Until Nov. 22nd is a group show entitled “LINEAGE UW Faculty & Students”. The work of George Tsutakawa, Roger Shimomura and Patti Warashina is included. “Red Ribbon Salon” is a group show of Northwest artists including the work of Paul Horiuchi. Opens Nov. 11th and remains on view until Dec. 23rd. Seattle ArtREsource Gallery. 625 First Ave. #200. (206) 838-2695 or go to seattleartresource.com.
Printmaker Romson Bustillo has another show of new work on view until Oct. 20th at Gallery4Culture. These patterned, densely layered works on paper represent the intermingling of the past, present and future as they trace his family’s migration to Seattle from the Philippines. Don’t miss the party as well. “Celebrate with Artists Up!” on Tues., Oct. 21st from 6 – 8pm. There will be music, Romson’s art and delicious food. This is a social mixer celebrating artists in the Latino/a and Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander artist communities. Music by Miho & Diego. All are welcome but RSVP requested. Go to Artistsup.org (or try https://www.facebook.com/events/826541907370560/?ref=6&ref_notif_type=plan_user_invited) to make your reservation. To find out more about Romson’s art, go to romsonromson.blogspot.com. Gallery4Culture is at 101 Prefontaine Pl S in the Tashiro Kaplan Building in Pioneer Square.
“Live On: Mr.’s Japanese Neo-Pop” – The disaster of the March 11, 2011 tsunami and nuclear accident came as both a shock and inspiration for Japanese Neo-Pop artist Mr. In response he created a massive installation composed of everyday objects from Japanese life. It forms the centerpiece for this show with a series of new paintings and other work. Organized by SAM, this retrospective is his first solo exhibition in a U.S. museum. A protégé of Takashi Murakami, the icon of Japanese Pop art and a member of the otaku subculture, Mr.’s work is marked by an obsessive interests in anime and manga. This exhibition is organized by SAM in collaboration with Kaikai Kiki Co. Ltd., Galerie Perrotin and Lehmann Maupin Gallery. Opens Nov. 22nd, 2014 in the Tateuchi Galleries of the Seattle Asian Art Museum and remains on view until April 5th, 2015. 1400E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or go to seattleartmuseum.org.
Curator/sculptor/installation artist June Sekiguchi unleashes a whirlwind of activity by showing the fruits of her creative labors in various guises/projects/exhibitions and we are the richer for it. Her massive piece entitled “Pineal Canopy” comprised of 36,000 hand tied knots dipped in wax and threaded through 368 router pinecone disks is included in the BAM Biennial “Knock on Wood” on view from Oct. 31st – March 29th, 2015 with an opening reception on Oct. 30th at 7:30 – 9pm (VIP/Member’s Reception starts at 6pm). 510 Bellevue Way NE. (425) 519-0770. As a compliment to the Bellevue Arts Museum show, ArtXchange Gallery will feature a three -person show of their gallery artists in “Knock on Wood” at their space from Dec. 4th – Jan. 31st, 2015. The work of June Sekiguchi, Humaira Abid and Elaine Hanowell will be on view with opening reception on Dec. 4th from 5 – 8pm. 520 – 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org. “Taki” (waterfall in Japanese) is a site specific piece to be permanently placed in the Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery of Seattle Municipal Tower inspired by the famous woodblock print by Hokusai entitled “A Tour of Waterfalls in Various Provinces”. 700 5th Ave. in downtown Seattle on the 6th floor. This piece can be seen from Oct. 23rd, 2014 on along with other pieces by Marita Dingus, Humaira Abid and Gustavo Martinez as curated by Preston Hampton. Finally Sekiguchi will be involved in a group show entitled “The Incredible Intensity of Just Being Human” which intends to examine the stigma and silence surrounding mental illness. A variety of people, from mental health advocates to community leaders/organizations will come together to speak about mental illness and its effects on our society. Sekiguchi’s son, Quin Breeland has created QR code links to the artists’ works and will have an audio/visual experiential multi-media piece. Opening reception for this show is Jan. 9th, 2015 from 4 – 6pm. Tours by artists paired with mental health professionals are scheduled throughout the exhibition. Sekiguchi tours with Eli Hstings, marriage and family counselor and assistant director of Pongo Teen Writing on Jan. 13th at 12pm. At Seattle City Hall at 600 4th Ave. in the 4th floor lobby and Anne Focke Gallery.
“To Be Alone Together” is an group exhibition co-curated by Emma Jane Levitt and Shelly Leavens through the Dana and Toni Rust Curatorial Fellowship at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Connor. The curators try and capture the solitude and interaction of Northwest art by having contemporary Northwest artists respond to work by Northwest artists in the museum’s collection. Work by Paul Horiuchi and Norie Sato are in the group that are shown. Contemporary artists Paul Komada and singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama respond to specific artists as well. 121 S. First St. in La Connor. Oct. 4 – Jan. 4th. (360) 466-4446 or go to www.museumofnwart.org.
“Near/Far” is the title of a show by former Seattle Cornish student Lauren Iida now living in Cambodia. Her show of intricate paper cutaways Guest Curated by David Strand help her process and preserve her experiences with the people of landscape of that country. She is working on literacy campaigns and establishing libraries for children in rural areas. Her work explores notions of figure and place that transcend geographic and cultural borders. On view from Nov. 13th – Jan. 23rd in the Entry Gallery. Artist’s reception will be on Thurs., Dec. 11th from 5 – 8pm. Gage Academy Of Art at 1501 10th Ave. E. in Seattle. (206) 323-4243 or email info@GageAcademy.org.
Roger Shimomura’s “American Knockoff” has an autobiographical ring pitting the artist against the world of Asian stereotypes and what it means to live as an Asian American in this “land of the free and home of the brave.” It was last seen in the fall of 2013 at Greg Kucera Gallery. Now an expanded version of this show with a new catalog is at the Museum of Art at Washington State University Gallery in Pullman. On view through Dec. 13th. The documentary film, “Witness: The Legacy of Heart Mountain” is screened on Oct. 15th at 7pm in the CUB Auditorium. A performance of “Within the Silence” by Living Voices Theatre takes place on Nov. 13th at 7:30pm in the Jones Theater on campus. The Hirahara Photo Collection on Japanese Internment, Manuscripts, Archives & Special Collections on view in the Terrell Library through Oct. 24th. Installation Exhibit on Student Entertainment Board Oct. 23th – Nov. 14th. Panel Discussion on “Cartoon Propaganda” in the Museum of Art/WSU with dates TBD. (509) 335-1910. In related news, The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences has a profile of 1945 alumnus Tom Kitayama whose family was originally from Bainbridge Island. He was the first Japanese American to hold public office in California as Mayor of Union City. Go to http://museum.wsu.edu/shimomura.html for complete details. This touring exhibit comes to Tacoma Art Museum and Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon in 2015.
In related news, Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon presents “Roger Shimomura: Works on Paper” which will open Nov. 8th and remain on view through Feb. 1, 2015. Organized by Director John Olbrantz to complement the travelling exhibit, “Roger Shimomura : An American Knockoff” which opens at the museum next January. The exhibition features 29 prints drawn from local and regional collections, including works from his “Minidoka Snapshots” and “Minidoka Identities” suites, both of which deal with internment camp issues. 900 State St. in Salem, Oregon and part of Willamette University. (503) 370-6855 or go to willamette.edu/arts/hfma.
“Labor: A Working History” is an exhibit following the path of workers’ rights locally and on a national scale beginning in the 1800’s with Hawaiian and Native-American laborers for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Through Dec. 31st, 2014 at Clark County Historical Museum at 1511 Main St. in Vanouver, WA.For details, call (360) 993-5679 or visit www.cchmuseum.org.
“Uprooted: Japanese American Farm Labor Camps During World War II” is an exhibit about Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. This exhibit tells the story of the first such labor camp in Nyssa, Oregon in which interned Japanese Americans did seasonal farm labor in the sugar beet industry. Photos by Farm Security Administration photographer Russell Lee document these camps. On view until Dec. 12th, 2014 at Four Rivers Cultural Center at 676 SW Fifth Ave. in Ontario, Oregon. For details, call (541) 889-8191 or visit www.4rcc.com or www.uprootedexhibit.com.
Liz Tran’s mixed media paintings explore the shapes of nature and the psychedelic colors of her imagination. SAM gallery presents a show of her latest work at TASTE next to Seattle art Museum downtown a show of her new work. On view until Nov. 9th. 1300 First Ave. For details, samgallery@seattleartmuseum.org.
Opening Oct. 16th and ending Nov. 29th will be paintings by Yumiko Glover. A series of paintings centered around highly sexualized figure of the Japanese schoolgirl, set against disjointed images of past and furture world wars and pop culture iconography. Originally from Hiroshima, the artist is now based in Hawai’i. Bryan Ohno Gallery. 521 S. Main St. (206) 459-6857 or go to www.bryanohno.com.
One of Seattle’s oldest galleries, the Woodside/Braseth Gallery has moved to Pioneer Square. Their first show there is a group show of Northwest artists with the work of Paul Horiuchi, George Tsutakawa and Gerard Tsutakawa included. On view until Oct. 25th. 1201 Western Ave. (206) 622-7243 or go to woodsidebrasethgallery.com.
“A Cut Above” is a group show that explores hand-cut work in paper, wood, prints and sculpture. This show presents unique contemporary works in a variety of mediums and perspectives inspired by traditional art practices. Co-curated by MalPina Chan. Includes the work of Betsy Best Spaden, Mia Yoshihara-Bradshaw, Julia Harrison, Laureen Iida, Naoko Morisawa and June Sekiguchi. The show will be on view in the City of Sammamish City Hall Gallery during the month of Oct. 801 – 228th Ave. SE. Hours are M – F from 8:30 – 5pm.
New and recent shows due to open at the Wing include the following – “Do You Know Bruce?” is a major new show on the personal, intimate story of martial arts artist and film star Bruce Lee and the significance of Seattle in his life. Opens Oct. 4th with the full support of the Lee Family. The Wing is the only museum in the world, outside of Hong Kong, to present an exhibition about Bruce Lee’s life. The Lee family has plans to eventually open a permanent museum on Bruce Lee’s life and legacy in the Chinatown-ID neighborhood. This show will make for a good initial introduction. Beat the crowds and become a museum member and not only do you see this show for free but you also receive a special commemorative welcome packet with limited edition Bruce Lee Membership cards and matching window cling for your collection. Sifu Taky Kimura, a Bruce Lee student will offer a demo and presentation on his relationship with the famed martial arts artist/actor/author on Sat., Nov. 1st at 1pm. You must rsvp for this event by calling (206) 623-5124 or rsvp@wingluke.org. David B. Williams, author of “Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography” will discuss how and why Seattle looks like it does and talk about how Chinatown/ID was formed by filling in a tideflat area. This free event is on Thurs., Nov. 6th at 6pm. “RESIST – Asian American Acts of Struggle” remains on view through Jan. 18th, 2015. Wing Luke also co-sponsors a new exhibition “Voices of Nisei Veterans” at the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC) Hall. Oral history testimonies and rare collections tell the story of Japanese American veterans before, during and after World War II. Opening Nov. 13th from 6- 7pm for Museum Members & invited guests (RSVP to rsvp@wingluke.org or call (206)623-5124) and 7 – 8pm for the public is “BOJAGI: Unwrapping Korean American Identities”, a new show on our local Korean American community. A new exhibit entitled “Puppet Power! Asian Traditions Come to Life” opens on Sat. July 19th. See innovative creations from Asian American puppet artists, video performances and hands-on puppet play. Created in partnership with the Northwest Puppet Center and the Valentinetti Puppet Museum. Opening August 24th from 6 – 8pm is “ART IN MOTION: The Evolution of Board Culture” From surf board to skate board, learn how Asian Americans have contributed to this thriving culture. Curated by Gabriel Goldman of Platform Inc. Includes the work of Wally Inouye, Nhon Nguyen, Nin Truong, Junichi Tsuneoka and Mike Yoshida. Free Fa- Still on view is “#iconic: Power and Pop Culture” which explores how Asian American pop icons are made and what it means to look up to – or challenge – these figures. “Hometown Desi: South Asian Culture in the Pacific Northwest” is a semi-permanent display that opened Oct. 3. It will explore the history of South Asians in this area up to the present. On display through Oct. 19, 2014 is “Grit: Asian Pacific Pioneers Across the Northwest”. Stories of pioneers and trailblazers who persisted through challenges of natural disasters, racial discrimination and violence to carve out a home in this new territory. The Family Fun Art Activity list reads like this – Mizu Sugimura shows you show to make an extra dimension to your home-made cards with a diorama. Sat., Oct. 18th at 1pm. Sat., Nov. 15th at 1pm will be a workshop on making creative activist signs for your cause led by printmaker, painter and artist Romsom Bustillo. Free. The Family Fun Art Activity for Sat., Dec. 10th at 1pm will be with calligrapher/Chinese watercolor artist Maggie Ho who will show you how to try traditional painting techniques yourself. Award-winning author Meija Devine reads from her novel, “Voices From Heaven”, a first-hand experience of growing up in Seoul during the Korean War on Sat., Nov. 15th at 4pm. Free. Book signing and discussion with author follow. Museum members are invited to a “Holiday Member Appreciation Day” on Sat., Dec. 6th from 1 – 4pm. Enjoy a program themed around the “Bojagi” exhibition and visits from an Asian American Santa and popular local graphic artist Enfu. 719 South King St. (206) 623-5124 or visit www.wingluke.org. Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. First Thursday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm. Third Saturday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm.
Currently on view at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park – “Colored Vases” is the first work by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei acquired by Seattle Art Museum. The artist took ancient earthenware vases and dipped them in buckets of industrial paint allowing them to drip dry. By covering the surfaces with a new paint, what is underneath – like history itself – is “no longer visible, but is still there.” The irony is that they play on the question on and question authenticity issues that the artist likes to raise in today’s market for Chinese Art. The first exhibition held outside Japan dedicated to Japanese Art Deco entitled “Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920 – 1945” is on view through Oct. 19th. On Sat., Sept. 27th , a new University Fall Series begins entitled “New Worlds of Science: The Heritage of East Asia”. Tickets go on sale in August for a series of 10 talks on Saturday mornings co-organized by Prof. Christopher Cullen, Needham Research Institute who will give the first two lectures. Every Sat. at 9:30am at SAAM’s Stimson Auditorium. Topics range from ancient astronomy and cosmology to Chinese medicine and the modernization of Korea and Japan. Donald Harper from the Univ. of Chicago talks about “The Human Body and the Idea Of Health in Early China” on Oct. 11 at 9:30am. Lu Xinyi, Prof. of Archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis talks about “Chinese Food and the World System in Pre-History” on Oct. 18th at 9:30am. Another separate literary reading takes place on Fri., Oct. 17th at 7pm. Zach Davisson will read from “Yurei: The Japanese Ghost” (Chin Music Press). On view until December 7th is “Ink. History. Media” by Chen Shaoxiong. The artist examines the history of protest as a universal political expression. He downloaded images of protest form around the world and did ink drawings from these images, turning them into a video installation. Another video installation consists of ink drawings of historic photos of major events in Chinese history during the 20th century. The artist was a founding member of “Big Tail Elephant Group”, a collective of Guangzhou-based conceptual artists in the 1990’s. Today he works independently and also collaborates as a member of an Asian artist collective known as “Xijing Men” and another Chinese collective known as “Project Without Space.” He is a multi-media artist using painting, photography, collage and conceptual art to realize his ideas.” Mughal Painting: Power And Piety” is up through Sept. 7th. The show features works of art made under the Mughals (1526-1857), the most expansive Islam empire in the history of the subcontinent. For complete information on all events, go to seattleartmuseum.org.
“Nature and Pattern in Japanese Design” is a related exhibition to “Deco Japan” in two parts that will be shown at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Part 2 begins August 16th, 2014 and continues till April 19th, 2015. “Modernism in the Pacific Northwest: The Mythic and the Mystical” looks at Northwest painters from the 30’s and 40’s whose work was influenced by an Asian aesthetic. Includes work by Paul Horiuchi and George Tsutakawa. Coming August 30th is “City Dwellers: Contemporary Art from India” which looks at the shift towards urban centers and the culture and arts of the city. Organized by SAM from the collection of Sanjay Parthasarathy and Malini Balakrishnan.Visit sam.org or call (206) 654-3100.
Want to know more about contemporary Korean art? You have a chance when Eunju Choi, curator from the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul gives a talk on Oct. 16th at Seattle Asian Art Museum. 1400 E. Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. (206) 654-3100 or go to seattleartmuseum.org.
“Travelogue – Art Inspired By Travels Through Asia” is a group show including work by Kathy Liao. At Lakeshore located at 11448 Rainier Ave. S. Go to eraliving.com for details.
Of future interest is “BAM Biennial 2014: Knock On Wood”, a group show of artists working with wood set for Oct. 31 – March 29th, 2015. Includes work by Humaira Abid and June Sekiguchi. Bellevue Arts Museum. 510 Bellevue Way NE. Go to www.bellevuearts.org.
“Photographic Presence and Contemporary Indians: Matika Wilbur’s Project 562” is the first installment of Matika Wilbur’s ambitious project to capture contemporary Native American life by documenting people from all 562 federally recognized tribes in the US. The photography of Seattle photographer Chao-Chen Yang is included in a group show entitled “Northwest in the West: Exploring Our Roots”. This show explores the distinct identity of Northwest art and how it has adopted, adapted and reacted against its western roots. A theme particularly apt and timely since the museum is building a new wing to house their new collection of Western art. Both shows through the fall of 2015. Local artist MalPina Chan has work in the current show “Ink This! Contemporary Print arts in the Northwest” on view until Nov. 9th, 2014. Tacoma Art Museum is at 1701 Pacific Ave. (253) 272-4258 or go to TacomaArtMuseum.org.
Kamla Kakaria shares a show with Paisley Fish at Shift Gallery. Opens Oct. 2nd from 5 – 8pm. Remains on view until Oct. 25th. Her new work is a series of paintings that feature a paisley pattern inspired by the swirl of fish in water. 312 S. Washington St. in the Tashiro Kaplan Building. Open Fri. & Sat. (206) 679-8915 or go to shiftgalleryseattle.org.
“Nature as Is” is a show of new work by Tacoma artist Patsy Surh O’Connell now on view through Dec. 15th. Meet the artist reception on Thurs., Oct. 16th from 4 – 6pm. Tacoma Community College on the Gig Harbor Campus at 3993 Hunt St. in Gig Harbor. For information, call (253) 460-2424. For details on the artist, go to www.patsysurhoconnellart.com.
Seattle artist Saya Moriyasu keeps busy with the following activities. In Portland she has work in the PDX Contemporary window with Tony Sonnenberg. Presented by Pulliam Fine Arts. Upcoming you can see her work in SAM Party in the Park and in the fall with Maki Tamura and Paul Komada at MadArt UW. Some of her functional work can be found at Sugar Pill behind Blick at 900 E. Broadway on Capitol Hill. She also has a new email at ArtSaayaa@gmail.com.
Puget Sound artist MalPina Chan has work in a group show entitled “Our American Stories: Asian American Artists Illuminate History, Culture and Identity” along with Seattle-raised Roger Shimomura, Susan Almazol, Salma Arastu, Jung Ran Bee, Karen Chew, Reiko Fujii, Kathy Fujii-Oka, Nancy Hom, MariNaomi, Pallavi Sharma and Scott Tsuchitani. On view through September 26th, 2014. Guest-curated by Judy Shintani. At City College of San Francisco’s Louise & Claude Rosenberg Jr. Library – Ocean Campus, 2nd floor, 50 Phelan Ave. in San Francisco. (415) 452-5541.
Opening August 28th is “Mythscapes : Contemporary Art from the World’s Oldest Continuing Culture” which includes the work of indigenous artists from Australia including work by Sarrita King. Co-curated by the gallery and Ann Snell Gallery of Sydney. Show remains on view through Nov. 22nd. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 First Ave. S. Open Tues. – Sat. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
Illustrator/artist Molly Hashimoto teaches a class at Frye Art Museum entitled “Painting and Sketching the Wild Nearby” on Nov. 7th & 8th starting at 10 am. 704 Terry Ave. (206 622-9250.)
Tacoma artist Fumiko Kimura has had a long-time career in Puget Sound exhibiting her work and keeping busy with her Puget Sound Sumi Art Group. This year brings a new opportunity to see her life’s work. A retrospective of her work takes place at Tacoma Community College Art Gallery Nov. 3rd – Dec. 13th. She shares the space with artist Rob Fornell. A reception is planned for Nov. 8th tentatively from 4 – 7pm (check the gallery for exact time.) 6501 S. 19th St. (253) 566-5000.
Juliet Shen will be in a group show entitled “Duwamish Artist Residency” set for March 5th – 26th, 2015 at Gallery4Culture. The show sheds light on the activities of twelve studio artists who gather every summer to work together for a week at various spots along the river. For details on their work, go to duwamishresidency2012.wordpress.com. Please note that as of 2015, Gallery4Culture will no longer have shows during the months of December and August. Shows continue during the other ten months.
The Whatcom Museum in Bellingham has an interesting show entitled “Reaching Beyond: New Designer Craftsmen at 60” juried by Ben Mitchell. On view until Jan. 4th, 2015. 121 Prospect St. (360) 676-6981 or go to whatcommuseum.org.
Discover the history and culture of the Tulalip tribes at the Hibulb Culture Center. Currently showing an exhibit on “Coast Salish Canoes”. 6410 – 23rd Ave. NE in Tulalip. (360) 716-2600 or email info@hibulbculturalcenter.org.
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center in Portland has “Oregon Nikkei: Reflections of an American Community” a show that celebrates the lives and contributions of Oregon’s Nikkei community, and evokes memories of shared experiences – from early settlement through the trials and tribulations of WWII and into the 21st century. Also on view is “Art Behind Barbed Wire: A Pacific Northwest Exploration of Japanese American Arts and Crafts Created inn World War II Incarceration Camps” on view through Oct. 19th, 2014. Upcoming exhibit is “Before Memories Fade: Uncovering the Story of the Kida Family of White Salmon” tentatively scheduled to Open Nov. 8 and remain on view through Feb. 22, 2015. Open Tu. – Sat. 11am – 3pm and Sundays, noon – 3pm. 121 NW 2nd Ave. (503) 224-1458 or email info@oregonnikkei.org.
The Portland Japanese Garden has announced their exhibitions set for 2014. “Urushi: Masterpieces of Lacquer Ware by Kazumi Murose, Living National Treasure of Japan”, on view Oct. 25th – Nov. 16th.
“Cobalt Blues”, a regional and chronological variety of Asian Cobalt-glazed ceramics is on view through Oct. 19th taken from the museum collection and on loan from private collections. Portland Art Museum. 1219 SW Park Ave. (503) 226-2811 or go to portlandartmuseum.org
Versatile artist/sculptor/installation artist Kanetaka Ikeda has a series of new large brightly-hued abstract paintings set for a November show at Portland’s Blackfish Gallery at 420 NW 9th Ave. (503)224-2634 or go to blackfish.com.
The Museum of Contemporary Craft. Upcoming April 17th – August 16h in 2015 is “The New Frontier: Young Designer-Makers in the Pacific NW”. 724 NW Davis St. in Portland. (503) 223-2654 or go to mocc.pnca.edu.
The Vancouver Art Gallery in Vancouver BC, Canada has a show entitled “The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors” which captures the atmosphere and aesthetics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties with paintings, ceremonial clothing and more. Includes nearly 200 treasured objects from the collections of Beijing’s Palace Museum. Worth the trip up north. Opens Oct. 18th and on view until Jan. 11th. Opening Nov. 15th and on view until April 6th is “Unscrolled: Reframing Tradition in Chinese Contemporary Art” which looks at how Chinese artists today view their tradition. Re-working traditional aesthetics in conceptual ways, artists use new forms and media – such as digital animations and site-specific installations-to provide a myriad of means to understand and examine traditions influence on visual culture in present-day China.750 Hornby St. (604) 662-4719 or go to vanartgallery.bc.ca.
“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. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail info@koboseattle.com or call (206) 381-3000.
The surreal work of multi-media New York-based artist Ryo Toyonaga is given his first major museum retrospective drawing on 20 years of ceramic and mixed sculpture, drawing and painting in “Awakening”. The images come forth from a well-spring of recurrent dreams. On view from Oct. 11 to – Jan. 4, 2015. On view till Dec. 28th is “Ten Symbols of Longevity and Late Joseon Korean Culture”. “Japanese Impressions from the Vault: The Rare, the Beautiful, and the Bizarre” is on view until Feb. 8th, 2015. On view till June 7, 2015 is “Elegance & Nobility: Modern & Contemporary Korean Literati Taste”. And finally “Vistas of a World Beyond: Traditional Gardens in Chinese Material Culture” is on view until July 5, 2015.University of Oregon Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene. (541) 346-3027 or visit jsma.uoregon.edu.
“Claiming Space: Voices of Urban Aboriginal Youth” is a group show that shows “contemporary, conceptual and Native art” that features 25 young artists across Canada, the US, Norway and New Zealand, “to define what it really means to be an urban Aboriginal artist today.” On view Through Jan. 4th, 2015 at Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, BC. On the UBC campus. 6393 NW Marine Dr. (604) 822-5087 or go to moa.ubc.ca.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has a number of Asian art shows on display now. On view until Jan. 11th is “Hiraki Sawa: Under the Box, Beyond the Bounds”, the first comprehensive exhibition of Sawa’s work in Canada, featuring intimately scaled and monumental video works from the artists’s career. Through Oct. 19th are two shows on Japanese culture. “Kimono: Japanese Culture in its Art Form showcases the codes, culture, artistic form, complexity and etiquette of of kimono attire for different seasons and occasions. Also “From Geisha to Diva: The Kimono of Ichimaru (1906 – 1997) presents the life of one of the most famous geishas of the 20th century told through this collection of magnificent kimonos and personal effects. From Oct. 24th – Jan. 4th, “Visualizing a Culture for Strangers: Chinese Export Paintings of the Nineteenth Century” is on view. Oct. 31st – Jan. 25th is a group show entitled “Shin Hanga: The New Print Movement of Early 20th Century Japan” which look sat the new print movement that replaced ukiyo-e prints in popularity in the 20th century. 1040 Moss St. (250) 384-4171 or go to aggv.ca.
“Sacred Trees of India: Photographs by Deidi von Schaewen collects large-scale images taken by the artist over years travelling through India. Oct. 8th – Dec. 3rd. Evergreen Gallery at Evergreen State College at 2700 Evergreen Pkwy NW in Olympia. Go to evergreen.edulgallery for details.
Do Ho Suh is a Korean installation artist who has work locally in Seattle Art Museum’s permanent collection. Lehmann Maupin in New York presents a show of “Drawings” by the artist Sept. 11th – Oct. 25th, 2014 in two spaces in New York. The exhibition will highlight the significant role and varied forms drawing plays in Suh’s oeuvre. The artist will be at an opening reception on Thurs., Sept. 11 from 6 -8pm and a book launch on Sat., Sept. 13th at 540 W. 26thst from 4 – 6pm. Suh’s work will also be presented in a major solo exhibition at The Contemporary Austin opening on Sept. 20th, 2014. Lehmann Maupin is located at 540 W. 26th St. and 201 Chrystie St. Visit lehmannmaupin.com for details.
For years, community activist Jim Wong-Chu has been a strong catalyst in Vancouver B.C.’s Chinatown community sponsoring readings, activities and helping to create RicePaper, an Asian Canadian literary journal. On view now through Oct. 18th is “Pender Street East”, photographs and poetry from his 1975 book at looks at life in Chinatown and the Chinese Canadian community. Centre A, Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art at 229 E. Georgia St. (604) 683-8326 or go to centrea.org.
The contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is today always in the news, more so since he was placed under house arrest by Chinese authorities. In 1983, he left China for the first time and lived in New York for a decade. Those early years were to prove to have a lasting influence on his consciousness and future art activities. Now 227 black-and-white photographs of that period the artist took are on view in the show “Ai Weiwei: New York Photographs 1983-1993” at Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia at 1825 Main Mall. On view through Nov. 30th. (604 822-2759 or go to belkin.ubc.ca)
The Aspen Art Museum in Colorado is the first American museum designed by innovative prize-wining Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. It opened in August in the new building in downtown Aspen. With a woven-wood screen surface, it has triple the exhibition space of its’ former home. Ban has won major awards for his work designing low-cost housing and public buildings in developing countries. Future shows here will include the work of Cai Guo-Qiang and Ban, himself. For more, go to aspenartmuseum.org.
New York based visual artist/photographer Nina Kuo whose work first appeared nationally in Lucy Lippard’s groundbreaking book, “Mixed Blessings: New Art in a Multicultural America” over a decade ago seems to be on a creative tear as of late. She has work in no less than three different shows in New York at the moment. At the Andre Zarre Gallery until Oct. 3rd, the Pierogi- Boiler Room in Williamsburgh with Loren Chow Roser and a group show entitled “35 Years of Archiving” at the Museum of Chinese in Americas which just opened. For more on her art, go to http://en.sinovision.net/occupied-canvas-nina-kuo/.
Local poet/arts educator/curator Shin Yu Pai has been appointed Exhibitions writer for the Museum of Nothwest Art in La Connor.
Japanese conceptual artist On Kawara died in Manhattan in late June at the age of 81. Kawara explored the passing of time in serial works such as “Today”.
Christopher Y. Lew has been appointed associate curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Prior to that he worked at MoMA PS1 on Long Island.
New Delhi-based artist Amar Kanwar has won the 2014 Leonore Annenberg Prize for Art and Social Change. The annual award goes to artists engaged with sociopolitical issues.
Here’s a look at some of the exhibitions going on across the country this fall and beyond that may be of interest to our readers –
“Chinese American Exclusion/Inclusion – What Does It Mean To Be An American?” opens Sept. 26th through April 19th at New-York Historical Society Museum & Library. Go to nyhistory.org.
“Nasta’liq: The Genius of Persian Calligraphy” culled from manuscripts from the Freer and Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution on view through March 22nd. “Perspectives:Chiharu Shiota” is an installation of shoes collected by this Berlin-based installation artist originally from Japan. Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian in Wash. D.C. 1050 Independence Ave. SW (202)633-1000.
“Wilfredo Lam: Imagining New Worlds” is a traveling retrospective of this Cuban-born Chinese Cuban Surrealist that emphasizes his Spanish influences as well as his ties to the European avant-garde. Now through Dec. 14th at the McMullen Museum at Boston College then to the High Museum in Atlanta Feb. 14th– May 24th. 140 Commonwealth Ave. in Chestnut Hill, MA. (617) 552-8100 or try www.bc.edu/gn-artmuseum.
“Nam June Paik: Becoming Robot” is a major survey of this Korean American multi-media artist who made technology human. Through Jan. 4th. “Buddhist Art of Myanmar” Feb. 10th – May 1st, 2015. Asia Society in New York. 725 Park Ave. (212) 288-6400.
“Anonymous: Contemporary Tibetan Art” is drawn from the Shelley and Donald Rubin Collection and is on view Sept. 21 – Jan. 4th at the Queens Museum in New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park. info@queensmuseum.org or (718) 592-9700.
“Kimono: A Modern History” combines the attire with paintings, prints, books and decorative objects that depict the garment itself. Sept. 27 – Jan. 4th at the Met in New York. 1000 Fifth Ave. (212) 535-7710.
“Experiments With Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence” opens Oct. 2nd and remains on view until Feb. 1st at the Menil Collection, Houston. 1533 Sul Ross St. (713) 525-9400.
“Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao’s New York” shows this Taiwan-born photographer’s panoramic large-scale images of New York, combining multiple exposures over time. Oct. 15th – Feb. 15th at Museum of the City of New York. 1220 Fifth Ave. (212) 534-1672.
“Wang Jianwei: Time Temple” is the first of three commissions by the Ho Family Foundation Chinese art Initiative. This installation by a Beijing artist uses film, painting, sculpture and a theatrical production. Oct. 31st – Feb. 16th at the Guggenheim. 1071 Fifth Ave. Go to guggenheim.org for details.
“Noguchi As Photographer: The Jantar Mantars Of Northern India”. Noguchi was a restless traveler and he was fascinated with these astronomical observatories. His photos of the sites alongside sculptures and objects. At the Noguchi Museum Jan. 8 – May 31st. 9-01 33rd Road on Long Island City, New York. (718) 204-7088.
“Ghosts and Demons in Japanese Prints” is a show meant to compliment the show, “Temptation – The Demons of James Ensor”. On view Oct. 11th – Jan. 4th, 2015 at Art Institute of Chicago. 111 S. Michigan Ave. (312) 443-3600.
“For A New World To Come: Experiments In Japanese Art And Photography 1968 – 79” Over 200 works of art chronicle the Japanese artistic responses to a difficult socioeconomic time in Japan. Feb. 1st – April 26th at Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. 1001 Bissonet. (713) 639-7300.
“On Kawara: Silence” is the most comprehensive show to date of this major Conceptual artist who recently passed away. Includes live readings from his texts. Feb. 6th – May 3rd. Guggenheim. 1071 Fifth Ave. or go to guggenheim.org.
“Ink And Gold: Art Of The Kano” Gold-leaf folding screens and paintings from this sumptuous period of Japanese art established by Kano Masanobu Feb. 16th –May 10th. Philadelphia Museum of Art. 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (215) 763-8100.
“After Midnight: Indian Modernism To Contemporary India 1947/1997” Looks at art made after independence and how it changes over the next fifty years of globalization and change. March 1st, – June 7th , 2015. Queens Museum in New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park. (718) 592-9700 or info@queensmuseum.org.
“Life Of Cats: Selections From The Hiraki Ukiyo-e Collection” points out the position of cats in Japanese culture. March 13th – June 2015 at Japan Society Gallery in New York. 373 E. 47th St. (212) 832-1155.
“Tseng Kwong Chi: Performing For The Camera” marks the first major museum solo show for this late Hong Kong-born performance artist. April 21st – July 11th, 2015. “Abby Gray and Indian Modernism: Selections from the NYU Art Collection (ongoing). Grey Art Gallery at NYU. 100 Washington Square E. (212) 998-6780.
Francisco Clemente: Inspired by India” through Feb. 2nd, 2015. “Witness At A Crossroads: Photographer Marc Riboud in Asia” chronicles the French photographer’s work across Asia. Oct. 16th – March 23rd, 2015. Rubin Museum of Art in New York. 150 W. 17th St. (212) 620-5000.
“V.S. Gaitonde: Painting As Process, Painting As Life” is the first retrospective of of this Indian-born abstract painter at the Guggenheim Oct. 24th – Feb. 11th, 2015.1071 Fifth Ave. Go to guggenheim.org.
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston has the following shows coming up. “Hokusai” April 5th, 2015 – Aug. 9th, 2015. “In The Wake: Japanese Photographers respond to 3-11” from April 5th to July 12th, 2015. “8 Brokens: Bapo Paintings” set for Aug. 15th, 2015 – April 17th, 2016. A first ever exhibition dedicated to Bapo, a revolutionary genre that emerged in the mid-19th century. Painting created with Chinese ink and colors on paper and silk, they were startlingly realistic depictions of damaged cultural ephemera done in “trompe-l’oeil” style. “Made in the Americas: The New World Discovers Asia” set for Aug. 18th – Feb. 2016. First ever Pan-American exhibition to examine the profound influence of Asia on the arts of the colonial Americas. 465 Huntington Ave. (617) 267-9300.
The Asian/Pacific American Institute located at NYU brings together accomplished scholars, community builders, and artists from New York City and beyond in interactive forums, reflection, and new research. Now on view in Gallery 8 at Washington Mews is “Haunted Files: The Eugenics Record Office” curated by Noah Fuller and John Kuo Wei Tchen with Associated curator, Mark Tseng Putterman. Also current “Artist-In-Residence” is comedian Hari Kondabolu (a Seattle crowd favorite) who is scheduled to make a number of appearances throughout the year. 8 Washington Mews in New York. (212) 998-3700 or try apa.institute@nyu.edu.
The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center and Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas gives renowned Korean-born sculptor and installation artist Do ho Suh his first major solo exhibition in the US in more than a decade from Sept. 20th – Jan. 11th, 2015. Both existing works and newly fabricated pieces will be on view at both sites. The work draws on the artist’s personal experiences growing up in Seoul, studying art in the US and moving homes several times over in the course of his life. The Jones Center is at 700 Congress Ave. in Austin with a phone # of (512) 453-5312. Laguna Gloria is at 3809 W. 35th St. with a phone # of (512) 458-8191.
“Kip Fulbeck: Part Asian, 100% Hapa” is a show of photographs by this Southern California-based photographer/filmmaker on view until Jan. 4th, 2015 at Nikkei National Museum in Burnaby, BC, Canada. 6688 Southoaks Crescent. Burnaby, BC, Canada. info@nikkeiplace.org.
The Asian Art Museum – Chong Moon Lee Center for Asian Art & Culture in San Francisco presents the following shows. “From Two Rises Three – The Collaborative Works of Arnold Chang and Michael Cherney” through March 1st, 2015. “Enter the Mandala – Cosmic Centers and Mental Maps of Himalayan Buddhism” through Oct. 26th, 2014. “Dual Natures in Ceramics: Eight Contemporary Korean Artists” through Feb. 22, 2015 (on view in Terminal 3, San Francisco Int. Airport only). “Tradition on Fire: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Bissinger Collection on view through from April 5th, 2015 – Feb. 22nd, 2016. “Roads of Arabia: Archaeology and History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” from Oct. 24th – Jan. 18th, 2015. “Tetsuya Ishida: Saving the World with a Brush Stroke” Nov. 14th – Feb. 22nd, 2015. “Seduction: Japan’s Floating World – the Weber Collection” Feb. 20th – May 10th, 2015. “The Printer’s Eye: Ukiyo-e from the Grabhorn Collection Feb. 20th – May 10th, 2015. “Woven Luxuries: Indian, Persian and Turkish Textiles from the Indicator Collection” March 13th – Nov. 1st, 2015. “28 Chinese- Chinese Contemporary Art – Where It Has Been And Where It’s Headed” June 5th – Aug. 16th, 2015. 200 Larkin St. (415) 581-3500.
“Royal Hawaiian Featherwork: Na Hulu Ali’I” August 29th, 2015 – Feb. 28th, 2016. De Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. (415) 750-3600. 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr. (415) 750-3600.
“Samurai: Japanese Armor from The Barbler Mueller Collection. Oct. 19th – Feb. 1st, 2015. LA County Art Museum. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 857-6000.
“HELLO! – Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty” is a joint presentation of Sanrio and the Japanese American National Museum. Examines the global phenomenon of Hello Kitty and features innovative works by forty contemporary artists. Co-curated by Christine R. Yano, author of “Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across The Pacific.” Opens Oct. 11th and runs through April 26th, 2015. 100 North Central Ave. in Los Angeles. (213) 625-0414 or go to janm.org.
Performing Arts
Highlights
Humanities Seattle has come up with a series “Think & Drink” which they launched in 2011. They take provocative topics structured around hosted conversations with guests and plop them down in tasting rooms and pubs around the state. So instead of feeling stiff and uncomfortable talking about heavy topics in a classroom environment or in an auditorium, you can relax with friends over a few brews or glasses of wine and have a congenial conversation about interesting, meaningful topics. Moderated by Tonya Mosley, Journalist with Al Jazeera America, The Huffington Post and KUOW, an upcoming event is entitled “Loud & Proud: WA State’s Asian American Civil Rights Movement” and features speakers UW Ethnic Studies Professor Connie So and documentary filmmaker Kevin Owyang. Oct. 22nd at 7pm at The Royal Room at 5000 Rainer Ave. S. for details, go to http://www.humanities.org/programs/think-drink.
Four years ago, a couple from Singapore sold everything and embarked on an around the world journey to document and inspire dreams. The mission was for every dream shared through the project, it would inspire another one in the world. Tay and Val have been to 12 global destinations and Seattle is their latest stop. “Dreams Unlimited@SEATTLE” is an interactive multicultural multimedia performance program designed to inspire hopes and dreams, presented by artists of color, for the immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle. The latest program is set for Oct. 19th at 1:30pm at the Seattle Main Public Library downtown. Free tickets available at www.mydream.is/seattle. Performers include Sunil Kanim, Monica & Hodan, Troy Osaki, De Cajon and Val & Tay. Go to www.taynval.com for details.
As part of the PWEKA/FANHS/Carlos Bulosan Centennial Festivities, there will be a joint event entitled “Celebrating Brown Brilliance: Painter/Muralist Val Laigo and Jazz Artist/Symphony Composer Victor Noriega”. Laigo was the late Seattle University Art Professor and noted artist and muralist and his work will be celebrated this evening. Jazz pianist Victor Noriega was commissioned by the Oakland Symphony to write a piece which was performed last year. Now Seattle audiences have a chance to hear it too. “Generations, Directions” is Noriega’s look at the generations of his family that immigrated to this country. Performed with Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers. Free. Oct. 17th. At the Filipino Community Center at 5740 MLK Jr. Way S. (206) 722-9372.
Christopher Yohmei Blasdel is an acclaimed player of the shakuhachi or Japanese vertical flute. He studied with Master Goro Yamaguchi and is based in Tokyo. He makes a rare West Coast appearance performing with noted Northwest poet Sam Hamill as he reads from his new book entitled “Habitation: Collected Poems”. The two have recorded a CD together and have performed together numerous times. Sat., Nov. 1st at 7:30pm. Spring Street Center at 1101 – 15th St. on the corner of 15th and Spring in Seattle. Sponsored by the Subud International Cultural Association. For reservations, call Paul Nelson at (206) 422-5002 or go to splabman@gmail.com.
SEEDArts presents Arts Gumbo 2014, “Music & Dance Of The Islands”. Sat., Nov. 8th features “The Carribean!” with Grupo Utopia performing Carribean and Garifuna music, a dance workshop and a Carribean dinner. Also from 6 – 9pm. Rainer Valley Cultural Center at 3515 South Alaska St. in Seattle. For details, go to RainierValleyCulturalCenter.org/artsgumbo.org.
Thai Restaurant Bai Tong will present Joe Louis’s Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre at ACT Theatre’s Bullitt Cabaret on Sat., Oct. 25th. Tickets at $49 includes a $15 Bai Tong gift certificate.. For details, call (425) 394-4403.
Comedian Margaret Cho comes to the Tacoma Comedy Club for two shows nightly (6:30 & 9:30pm) on Nov. 4th & 5th. 445 Tacoma Ave. S. in Tacoma. For details, go to margaretcho.com.
Cheech & Chong hit the Emerald Queen Casino on Nov. 8th for an 8pm show. 2024 E. 29th St. in Tacoma. Go to ticketmaster.com for tickets.
The “Poetry On Buses” Project is back and there will be a launch party on Nov. 10th at 7:30pm at the Moore Theatre downtown at 1932 2nd Ave. Expect readings in English, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese and the unveiling of poems by over 360 poets due to appear on Metro buses across the city. Go to www.poetryonbuses.org for details.
Didik Nini Thowok, a master dancer from Java will give a demonstration and discussion about Javanese Dance on Nov. 10th at 7:30pm. Free. Brechemin Auditorium in the Music Building on the Seattle campus of UW. 7:30pm. Thowok is one of the few artists to continue the Indonesian tradition of “Traditional Cross Gender” in the dance form. School of Music associate professor Christina Sunardi perform cross-gender dances and discuss Didik’s work as an artist.
Seattle Symphony goes on the road and hits a high school, a theatre and a museum across Seattle. Hear the orchestra perform free community concerts with music by Mozart, Brahms, and Schubert. Featuring Christina Ding on violin. Oct. 17th at 8pm at Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle. Oct. 18th at 2pm at Rainier Valley Cultural Center. Oct. 19th at 2pm at the Museum of Flight.
A staged reading of famed labor activist/writer Carlos Bulosan’s “The Romance of Magno Rubio” takes place on Sat., Nov. 15th at 3:30pm. Refreshments and Q&A session to follow. Massive Monkees Studio at 622 S. King St. in Seattle’s Chinatown/ID neighborhood. Part of the Carlos Bulosan Centennial Celebration. Go to www.facebook.com/768158816556149 for details.
The Seattle International Comedy Competition takes place on Nov. 28th at 8pm. Kirkland Performing Center for the Arts at 350 Kirkland Ave. N. in Kirkland, WA. (425) 828-0422 or email info@kpcenter.org.
Broadway Center for the Performing Arts in Tacoma bring the Peking Acrobats to the Pantages Theatre on Sat., Jan. 17th at 7:30pm. Also booked is a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” set for Feb. 6 at 7:30pm and Feb. 8th at 2pm at the Rialto Theatre. On May 16th, Northwest Sinfonietta presents “The Taiwanese Connection”, a classical concert highlighting Taiwanese contemporary composer Gordon Chin’s premiere of his composition dedicated to Taiwan. Also Taiwanese violinist Mae Lin plays Mendelssohn’s Violin concerto.7:30pm at the Rialto. 901 Broadway in Tacoma. (2530 591-5840.
The Filipino American Community of South Puget Sound present “Ballet Philippines: Masterpieces on Oct. 17th at 7pm. 512 Washington St. SE at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia. (360)753-8586 or email info@washingtoncenter.org.
The Wayward Music Series presents Chamber works for strings, woodwinds, and percussion by composer and percussionist Paul Kikuchi with Taina Karr on oboe, Ivan Arteaga on clarinet, Greg Sinibaldi on bass clarinet, Natalie Mae Hall on cello, John Teske on bass and Paul Kikuchi on percussion. Also on the bill is a solo set from sound artist and musical polymath Rob Mills and pianist Tiffany Lin performing selections from Bach’s French Suite No. 6 intermingled with selections from Hungarian composer Gyorgy Kurtag’s “Jatekok’s” (Games). Oct. 25th at 8pm. Chapel Performance Space. 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. $5-$15 sliding scale. (206) 355-2917 for details or go to www.paulkikuchi.com.
Seattle Symphony plays host to a full season of events. Here are some highlights. Violinist Jennifer Koh is guest violinist when Seattle Symphony under the baton of Ludovic Morlot perform Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony on Nov. 6th & 8th. Dynamic young pianist Yuja Wang gives a piano recital on Dec. 3 at 7:30pm. “Celebrate Asia!” is the annual East meets West signature Seattle Symphony event set for March 1st.. Carolyn Kuan conducts the orchestra in a program of music by A. R. Rahman, Yugo Kanno in a Seattle Symphony Commission U.S. Premiere and music by Tan Dun. Musical guests include Chiaki Endo on koto, Dozan Fujiwara on shakuhachi and Meeka Quan DiLorenzo on cello. Yuja Wang returns as piano solist with the London Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas in a program of Britten, Gershwin and Shostakovich on April 1st. April 21st brings the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to town under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung with Sunwook Kim on piano. Yo Yo Ma, cello virtuoso plays one afternoon only with the symphony on May 3rd at 2pm. On May 26th, violinist Pinchas Zukerman performs with pianist Angela Cheng. Visit Seattlesymphonyorg or call (206)215-4747.
Book-It Repertory’s adaptation of David Guterson’s “Snow Falling on Cedars” plays the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center March 13th – 28th, 2015. (206) 842-8