Arts

Open Clay Studios

rie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:36:01 -0800

Joyce Fujiwara was among the artists participating in San Francisco Open Studios on Oct. 25 and 26.

Open Studios, which was held every weekend in October and on Nov. 1-2, enabled the public to view and purchase works and talk to the artists at locations throughout the city. Many Japanese and Japanese American artists participated.

An Elegant Revival of Heian Dance

rie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:33:19 -0800

by YOKO MORIHIRO
Hokubei Mainichi

A millennium has passed since Shikibu Murasaki made literary history with her masterpiece, “The Tale of Genji.” On Oct. 27 at the San Francisco Main Library, the all-female Japanese court dance group Harashokai recreated the elegance of court life during the Heian Period, the backdrop for Murasaki’s timeless classic.

Showcase in San Mateo

rie — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:47:56 -0800

SAN MATEO — Kathryn Matsuura and Naomi Iwai will hold an exhibit of their handcrafted creations at Acquapazza Ristorante Italiano, 201 E. 3rd Ave. in San Mateo, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The exhibit will showcase bags, scarves and accessories made from vintage Japanese materials and beaded jewelry.

Also on display will be ceramics by Akemi Woofter and Japanese dye creations by Kuniko Michizuki.

Juni Hitoe Demonstration in San Jose

rie — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:47:29 -0700

SAN JOSE — An event showcasing a rare Japanese tradition will take place Monday, Nov. 3, at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel, 170 S. Market St. (between San Carlos and San Fernando streets).

The Mataro Doll Craft Academy of Tokyo will demonstrate the juni hitoe, 12 layers of kimono, which was popular among high-ranking noble ladies during the Heian era (792-1192), known as a “golden age” when Japanese culture was at its peak. It was a time when great literature and art were prized. From this era, some of the most intricate costumes evolved.

Mary Sano to Explore Duncan's Past, Present, Future

james — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:18:49 -0700

Mary Sano and her Duncan Dancers celebrate and explore Isadora Duncan’s past, present, and future with a multi-media dance production accompanied by distinguished live musicians on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater (enter from Marina and Buchanan in San Francisco’s Marina District).

This performance will be a momentous occasion for the group, as it will mark the first time Sano and her company are taking their yearly celebration out of the home studio and to a larger stage and audience.

Sumi-e Artist's Work Launched Into Space

james — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:58:36 -0700

Famed video game developer Richard Garriott launched into space on Oct. 12 aboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

For more than $30 million, he has become the sixth private citizen to travel into orbit.

The Russian rocket lifted off on schedule at 1:01 p.m. local time, carrying precious cargo, including a revolutionary experiment in art: the first in-space art exhibition.

Communities of Color Unite to Support Performing Arts

rie — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:47:16 -0700

In a uniquely San Francisco multicultural collaboration, the Asian American Theater Company (AATC), Lorraine Hansberry Theatre (LHT), AsianWeek, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and PG&E announced on Oct. 7 a collaboration to promote the performing arts.

AATC and LHT will assist each other in casting plays and will co-promote to both theaters’ audiences. This effort is also being supported and promoted by AsianWeek and the NAACP-SF. LHT shows will be presented at the PG&E auditorium.

Ikebana International Meeting in Sac'to

rie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:43:43 -0700

SACRAMENTO — Ikebana International will hold its general meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, at the Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd. in Sacramento.

Yasuko Yamauchi will give an Ohara School demonstration.

The program begins at 12:30 p.m. Attendees are asked not to enter the center before 11:30 a.m. and to leave the center before 3 p.m.

Colorful Manga Take on ‘Tale of Genji’

rie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0700

by YOKO MORIHIRO
Hokubei Mainichi

The Japanese literary classic “The Tale of Genji” (Genji Monogatari) has been loved by readers for a millennium. Countless movies and TV dramas have been based on it, but what about manga?

Prof. Lynne Miyake of Pomona College, a researcher of Japanese literature who also studies manga culture, gave a lecture on the topic in San Francisco on Sept. 25. She introduced attendees to various forms of the main character, Genji, as he appears in manga for young girls, manga for men, and even gag comics.

Book Launch for ‘Asian American Art’

rie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0700

The Asia Society of Northern California will present a discussion with key participants in the landmark publication “Asian American Art: A History, 1850-1970” on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. A reception will follow the program.