by LEFTERIS KAFATOS
Hokubei Mainichi

San Francisco's Asian Art Museum has a new director, and his name is Jay Xu. The Hokubei met with the energetic director on July 31 to talk about his background, his inspirations, and vision for the prestigious museum.

A Museophile

When asked about his background, Xu said, "It's a six-letter word: Museum!" Indeed, Xu has spent 25 years working at museums all over the globe.

It all started in 1983, when he began working at the Shanghai Museum, which boasts one of the world's largest collections of ancient Chinese art. As a scholar, Xu studied Chinese literature at Shanghai University, as well as art history and archaeology at Princeton. He was also a chairman at the Art Institute of Chicago, and prior to that, he was head of the Asian Art Department and a curator for Chinese art at the Seattle Art Museum, not to mention a fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

A Vision for Art

So his credentials are impeccable. But what about his philosophy, and his vision for San Francisco's iconic museum? Xu describes his thinking as being two-sided. "I firmly believe the Confucian way (of thinking) is best, to think deeply. But I also think daringly."

To him, achieving balance between the traditional and unconventional is key. "Traditional Asian art is our core strength, and I'd like to continue that while connecting to contemporary art."

Xu's field of expertise is ancient Chinese bronzes but, in line with his Confucian thinking, he believes a broad knowledge and appreciation of art is vital. When it comes to Asian art, Xu's vision is similarly big and inclusive. "I think we should be defining 'Asian art' in the broadest sense of the term."

He takes issue with limiting definitions from cultural geographers who have created what he calls "an artificial concept" of what Asian art is. Said Xu, "We need to explore everything that has influenced Asian art, and everything it has influenced."

To underscore his point, Xu drew upon his extensive knowledge of Japanese art. "Japanese ukiyo-e prints had a huge influence on French Impressionism, so that art should fall within the realm of inquiry of Asian art."

Bringing Internationalism to Art

With regard to the delicate relations between China and Japan, and how this might affect the art world, Xu dismissed politics, saying flatly, "We are custodians of cultural heritage." He emphasized the need to never "chase the political wind," and he seeks to bring people of different cultures together through art. "There is a cultural interconnectivity to art."

He believes his overall philosophy is similar to that of his predecessor, Emily Sano, saying he has "tremendous respect" for her and her internationalist style. Xu said, "We think along similar lines, even if our expression is individually different."

Of Xu's scholastic achievements, he is most proud of being a co-recipient of the Shimada Prize for his book "Art of the Houma Foundry." This prize, named for Japanese scholar Shujiro Shimada, is the most prestigious honor that can be awarded to publications pertaining to East Asian art.

"I am an internationalist. And I enjoy Japanese art, culture, and cuisine," he says. Incidentally, what Japanese foods does he like? "Natto," said the director, laughing. "I love natto. And umeboshi."

Xu has traveled to Japan 12 times, and he enjoys visiting places like Kyoto where he can quietly take in the Japanese aesthetic. He has a similar appreciation of his Japanese counterparts, saying, "Some of the world's leading scholars in Chinese bronzes are Japanese."

He also loves the Bay Area, not only for its scenic beauty but also for its ethnic and cultural diversity, being what he calls, "a melting pot in the truest sense." He expressed excitement at the prospect of engaging the local Japanese American community.

Duties and Future Exhibits

Xu has always employed a hands-on approach to museum art, and he intends to continue. In order to continue to improve upon the museum's artistic excellence, he said it is necessary for him to "think outside the box" while remaining "artistically inspired."

Another vital aspect of Xu's work will involve raising private funds for the museum. Due to the state of the economy, "the funding problem is getting worse," but Xu is optimistic. He believes individual and corporate support for the arts is still high, saying, "Americans are incredibly generous and this level of philanthropy is unique to the U.S."

Being on the job for less than two months now, Xu appears to be settling in nicely, making a point of getting acquainted with the museum's sizable staff.

So what are some of the upcoming shows that Xu is excited about? He cited a samurai art and tea exhibit scheduled for 2010, saying with a smile, "It's one of the most popular shows we do."