At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework. The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat. Photos by Quincy Stamper. At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework. The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat. Photos by Quincy Stamper. At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework. The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat. Photos by Quincy Stamper. At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework. The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat. Photos by Quincy Stamper. At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework. The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat. Photos by Quincy Stamper.

At our August 23 after-hours MATCHA event, Dohee Lee illuminated Korean shamanism (interacting with spirits) through her own particular multi-disciplinary framework.

The first photo was a true wow moment. During a mini-performance, Lee sat down next to this fellow, a gent with a visitor guide in his lap, and what ensued was some great visitor participation. He went along with whatever she threw his way, and did not flinch when she got extremely close to his face, noses touching. The tension and suspense was great. When she opened her hat contraption, he took off his hat.

Photos by Quincy Stamper.

  1. Date Posted Icon 6th September 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 5
    3. Tags Icon #sf#art#asian art museum#performance art#headlands center for the arts artist in residence#dohee lee#spirits#phantoms of asia#haunting#korean shamanism#interacting with the dead#spirit medium#spirit world#galleries#matcha#thursday nights#visitor participation
Tonight’s MATCHA event is all about shamanism: a form of interacting with the spirit world. Our haunting exhibition Phantoms of Asia explores this a bit, so it only makes sense that we would have an after-hours event that delves deeper into the topic. Dohee Lee will be performing a richly layered piece that weaves together installation, animation, music with traditional Korean art and shamanism. There’ll also be mask making for everyone, and an opportunity to learn more about shamanism. Photo by Pak Han.

Tonight’s MATCHA event is all about shamanism: a form of interacting with the spirit world. Our haunting exhibition Phantoms of Asia explores this a bit, so it only makes sense that we would have an after-hours event that delves deeper into the topic.

Dohee Lee will be performing a richly layered piece that weaves together installation, animation, music with traditional Korean art and shamanism. There’ll also be mask making for everyone, and an opportunity to learn more about shamanism.

Photo by Pak Han.

  1. Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  2. Aperture: f/2.8
  3. Exposure: 1/50th
  4. Focal Length: 27mm
  1. Date Posted Icon 23rd August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 3
    3. Tags Icon #sf#asian art museum#phantoms of asia#matcha#thursday nights#dohee lee#shamanism#korean shamanism#performance art#mask making#communicating with the dead#afterlife#spirit world#paranormal#paranatural#mediums#summon spirits
Masks from different regions and different time periods. Just one striking aspect of Phantoms of Asia, on view until September 2. Which is basically really soon. Masks from different regions and different time periods. Just one striking aspect of Phantoms of Asia, on view until September 2. Which is basically really soon.

Masks from different regions and different time periods. Just one striking aspect of Phantoms of Asia, on view until September 2. Which is basically really soon.

  1. Date Posted Icon 17th August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 159
    3. Tags Icon #sf#art#masks#asian art museum#phantoms of asia#assortment of masks#noh masks#laughin man masks#japanese masks#sculptures
And we’re live! The monks are here right now working on their Tibetan sand mandala. You can see the exquisite gridwork that they’re laying down, the first step in creating a highly detailed mandala. Also pictured: colored sand and instruments. This is a very special opportunity to see the monks — from a monastery in South India — creating a mandala. They’ll be working through Sunday. Upon completion the mandala will be destroyed, an important lesson of Buddhism (nothing is permanent).

And we’re live! The monks are here right now working on their Tibetan sand mandala. You can see the exquisite gridwork that they’re laying down, the first step in creating a highly detailed mandala. Also pictured: colored sand and instruments.

This is a very special opportunity to see the monks — from a monastery in South India — creating a mandala. They’ll be working through Sunday. Upon completion the mandala will be destroyed, an important lesson of Buddhism (nothing is permanent).

  1. Date Posted Icon 16th August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 26
    3. Tags Icon #sf#asian art museum#tibetan buddhism#tibetan monks#sand mandala#colored sand#sand art#pigments#south indian monastery#artist demonstration#art#impermanence#phantoms of asia#delicate art
Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will be visiting from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery in South India to create a sand mandala in our museum. Sanskrit for “circle,” a mandala is a geometric figure with spiritual and ritual significance, often representing the cosmos. The monks will meticulously apply powdered pigments to an intricate outline, tapping little by little to get the image just right. When completed, the mandala blesses both the environment and its beings. The painstakingly created artwork will then be destroyed and scattered, spreading its peaceful benefits throughout the world. This is a key lesson of Buddhism: everything must come to an end. Nothing is permanent. This is a very special opportunity to see the monks creating a mandala. Don’t miss it. Starts tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts through Sunday. You can come tomorrow night after 5pm for just $5. More event details here. Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will be visiting from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery in South India to create a sand mandala in our museum. Sanskrit for “circle,” a mandala is a geometric figure with spiritual and ritual significance, often representing the cosmos. The monks will meticulously apply powdered pigments to an intricate outline, tapping little by little to get the image just right. When completed, the mandala blesses both the environment and its beings. The painstakingly created artwork will then be destroyed and scattered, spreading its peaceful benefits throughout the world. This is a key lesson of Buddhism: everything must come to an end. Nothing is permanent. This is a very special opportunity to see the monks creating a mandala. Don’t miss it. Starts tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts through Sunday. You can come tomorrow night after 5pm for just $5. More event details here. Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will be visiting from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery in South India to create a sand mandala in our museum. Sanskrit for “circle,” a mandala is a geometric figure with spiritual and ritual significance, often representing the cosmos. The monks will meticulously apply powdered pigments to an intricate outline, tapping little by little to get the image just right. When completed, the mandala blesses both the environment and its beings. The painstakingly created artwork will then be destroyed and scattered, spreading its peaceful benefits throughout the world. This is a key lesson of Buddhism: everything must come to an end. Nothing is permanent. This is a very special opportunity to see the monks creating a mandala. Don’t miss it. Starts tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts through Sunday. You can come tomorrow night after 5pm for just $5. More event details here. Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will be visiting from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery in South India to create a sand mandala in our museum. Sanskrit for “circle,” a mandala is a geometric figure with spiritual and ritual significance, often representing the cosmos. The monks will meticulously apply powdered pigments to an intricate outline, tapping little by little to get the image just right. When completed, the mandala blesses both the environment and its beings. The painstakingly created artwork will then be destroyed and scattered, spreading its peaceful benefits throughout the world. This is a key lesson of Buddhism: everything must come to an end. Nothing is permanent. This is a very special opportunity to see the monks creating a mandala. Don’t miss it. Starts tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts through Sunday. You can come tomorrow night after 5pm for just $5. More event details here.

Six Tibetan Buddhist monks will be visiting from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Monastery in South India to create a sand mandala in our museum.

Sanskrit for “circle,” a mandala is a geometric figure with spiritual and ritual significance, often representing the cosmos. The monks will meticulously apply powdered pigments to an intricate outline, tapping little by little to get the image just right.

When completed, the mandala blesses both the environment and its beings. The painstakingly created artwork will then be destroyed and scattered, spreading its peaceful benefits throughout the world. This is a key lesson of Buddhism: everything must come to an end. Nothing is permanent.

This is a very special opportunity to see the monks creating a mandala. Don’t miss it. Starts tomorrow (Thursday) and lasts through Sunday. You can come tomorrow night after 5pm for just $5. More event details here.

  1. Date Posted Icon 15th August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 39
    3. Tags Icon #art#artist demonstration#asian art museum#buddhism#demonstration#impermanence#sacred#sand art#sand mandala#sf#south india monastery#tibet#tibetan buddhism#tibetan monks#the cosmos#phantoms of asia#blessings#auspicious
On view at the Asian Art Museum in the Phantoms of Asia exhibition, CLOSING SOON. New Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda lives in the burgeoning city of Gurgaon, which is one of India’s major outsourcing hubs and bases of operation for global corporations. His works illustrate the city’s tensions, as overdevelopment threatens natural habitats and infrastructures collapse before they are completed. Panda’s mix of mythology and realism points to the evolving nature of Indian identity and experience today. His snake sculpture, The Cult of Survival, is an expression of the danger in becoming addicted to the cycle of production and consumption in a rapidly changing world. Can you guess what this sculpture is made out of? On view at the Asian Art Museum in the Phantoms of Asia exhibition, CLOSING SOON. New Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda lives in the burgeoning city of Gurgaon, which is one of India’s major outsourcing hubs and bases of operation for global corporations. His works illustrate the city’s tensions, as overdevelopment threatens natural habitats and infrastructures collapse before they are completed. Panda’s mix of mythology and realism points to the evolving nature of Indian identity and experience today. His snake sculpture, The Cult of Survival, is an expression of the danger in becoming addicted to the cycle of production and consumption in a rapidly changing world. Can you guess what this sculpture is made out of? On view at the Asian Art Museum in the Phantoms of Asia exhibition, CLOSING SOON. New Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda lives in the burgeoning city of Gurgaon, which is one of India’s major outsourcing hubs and bases of operation for global corporations. His works illustrate the city’s tensions, as overdevelopment threatens natural habitats and infrastructures collapse before they are completed. Panda’s mix of mythology and realism points to the evolving nature of Indian identity and experience today. His snake sculpture, The Cult of Survival, is an expression of the danger in becoming addicted to the cycle of production and consumption in a rapidly changing world. Can you guess what this sculpture is made out of? On view at the Asian Art Museum in the Phantoms of Asia exhibition, CLOSING SOON. New Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda lives in the burgeoning city of Gurgaon, which is one of India’s major outsourcing hubs and bases of operation for global corporations. His works illustrate the city’s tensions, as overdevelopment threatens natural habitats and infrastructures collapse before they are completed. Panda’s mix of mythology and realism points to the evolving nature of Indian identity and experience today. His snake sculpture, The Cult of Survival, is an expression of the danger in becoming addicted to the cycle of production and consumption in a rapidly changing world. Can you guess what this sculpture is made out of?

On view at the Asian Art Museum in the Phantoms of Asia exhibition, CLOSING SOON.

New Delhi-based artist Jagannath Panda lives in the burgeoning city of Gurgaon, which is one of India’s major outsourcing hubs and bases of operation for global corporations. His works illustrate the city’s tensions, as overdevelopment threatens natural habitats and infrastructures collapse before they are completed. Panda’s mix of mythology and realism points to the evolving nature of Indian identity and experience today. His snake sculpture, The Cult of Survival, is an expression of the danger in becoming addicted to the cycle of production and consumption in a rapidly changing world.

Can you guess what this sculpture is made out of?

  1. Date Posted Icon 8th August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 34
    3. Tags Icon #phantoms of asia#asian art museum#san francisco#contemporary art#jagannath panda#indian identity#cult of survival#snake#Ouroboros#new delhi#indian artist#art#mythology#consumption#sewage pipe#snails
More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it. Ensō by Michael Namkung An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion. More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it. Ensō by Michael Namkung An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion. More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it. Ensō by Michael Namkung An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion. More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it. Ensō by Michael Namkung An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion. More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it. Ensō by Michael Namkung An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion.

More photos from last week’s MATCHA evening arts party. Michael Namkung is a San Francisco-based interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the sensory experiences of drawing under physical strain. He even became a certified trainer as part of his explorations. We like how the perfect circle remained after the performance, and merged into being a part of the atmosphere. Was neat watching people walk through it.

Ensō by Michael Namkung
An interdisciplinary artist drawing from the language of sports training and athletic performance, Michael Namkung will perform a physical drawing of an Ensō. For this Matcha, the work aws performed twice in two different locations and under different conditions, once outside in the front of the museum and once inside the museum until the performer succumbed to physical exhaustion.

  1. Date Posted Icon 3rd August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 6
    3. Tags Icon #sf#matcha#phantoms of asia#thursday nights#local artists#art carnival#michael namkung#endurance art#interdisciplinary artist#sports training#athletic performance#physical strain#art#contemporary#performance#asian art museum
So this happened at the museum last Thursday night. Love the incredible intensity that the two dancers share. You really feel it. Found and Lost by Jose Navarrete, Debby Kajiyama, and Adria OtteLost and Found is a dance performance created and performed by Navarrete and Kajiyama and is composed within the confines of a sculptural costume by Liz Harvey. Live musical accompaniment performed by Adria Otte. So this happened at the museum last Thursday night. Love the incredible intensity that the two dancers share. You really feel it. Found and Lost by Jose Navarrete, Debby Kajiyama, and Adria OtteLost and Found is a dance performance created and performed by Navarrete and Kajiyama and is composed within the confines of a sculptural costume by Liz Harvey. Live musical accompaniment performed by Adria Otte. So this happened at the museum last Thursday night. Love the incredible intensity that the two dancers share. You really feel it. Found and Lost by Jose Navarrete, Debby Kajiyama, and Adria OtteLost and Found is a dance performance created and performed by Navarrete and Kajiyama and is composed within the confines of a sculptural costume by Liz Harvey. Live musical accompaniment performed by Adria Otte. So this happened at the museum last Thursday night. Love the incredible intensity that the two dancers share. You really feel it. Found and Lost by Jose Navarrete, Debby Kajiyama, and Adria OtteLost and Found is a dance performance created and performed by Navarrete and Kajiyama and is composed within the confines of a sculptural costume by Liz Harvey. Live musical accompaniment performed by Adria Otte.

So this happened at the museum last Thursday night. Love the incredible intensity that the two dancers share. You really feel it.

Found and Lost by Jose Navarrete, Debby Kajiyama, and Adria Otte
Lost and Found is a dance performance created and performed by Navarrete and Kajiyama and is composed within the confines of a sculptural costume by Liz Harvey. Live musical accompaniment performed by Adria Otte.

  1. Date Posted Icon 2nd August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 99
    3. Tags Icon #Debby Kajiyama#José Navarrete#asian art museum#contemporary dance#interdisciplinary performance#matcha#modern dance#movement#performance#phantoms of asia#red sweater#sf#spacebi#thursday nights#art
"The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death — however mutable man may be able to make them — our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light."
—

Stanley Kubrick, when interviewed by Playboy in 1968.

This quote is particularly relevant due to our Phantoms of Asia exhibition. A large stunning show that tries to address all these larger-than-life issues. Humanity, death, the universe, where we fit in…

  1. Date Posted Icon 1st August 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 22
    3. Tags Icon #the universe#the cosmos#phantoms of asia#stanley kubrick#quote#cool quote
Local artists Charlene Tan and SpaceBi made these 4-ft tall maneki neko cats out of the Asian Art Museum’s old letterhead (which were rendered obsolete by our new brand identity). Very clever recycling of something that otherwise would’ve gone straight to the recycling bin. After the paper cats were created, they were “unofficially” staged on our entrance during one of our free days. What a massive hit, especially for many of the families who wait in line to get into the museum. Here, the cats are holding brewskies because tonight at MATCHA (our art carnival-esque event with SpaceBi). the first 200 people who enter our doors get a drink ticket for a free Sapporo beer. Click here to find out more about the cats and how they were made.

Local artists Charlene Tan and SpaceBi made these 4-ft tall maneki neko cats out of the Asian Art Museum’s old letterhead (which were rendered obsolete by our new brand identity). Very clever recycling of something that otherwise would’ve gone straight to the recycling bin.

After the paper cats were created, they were “unofficially” staged on our entrance during one of our free days. What a massive hit, especially for many of the families who wait in line to get into the museum.

Here, the cats are holding brewskies because tonight at MATCHA (our art carnival-esque event with SpaceBi). the first 200 people who enter our doors get a drink ticket for a free Sapporo beer.

Click here to find out more about the cats and how they were made.

  1. Date Posted Icon 26th July 2012
  2. Notes Icon Notes: 6
    3. Tags Icon #sf#asian art museum#spacebi#charlene tan#free day#target sunday#intervention#giant cats#paper art#recycling old letterhead#maneki neko#sapporo beer#matcha#phantoms of asia#san francisco artists