Nice neighborhood moment: Tuesday, 6pm, slowly sinking sun, warm weather. Two artists who seem to be collaborating on a giant mural in an alley up the street from us in Little Saigon / The Tenderloin. Lots of spectators enjoying the process. Notice how the two distinctly different styles interact on the “canvas”? 

Yesterday marks the opening of our building in Civic Center exactly 10 years ago. Before the major move, we were in Golden Gate Park for decades. Here in the heart of the city, 10 crazy years have flown right by. *Thank you* for being a crucial part of this memorable decade. We couldn’t have done it without you. 

Here’s a goofy video we made on the fly with the Lost Warrior. We have countless memories, so this is more like a taste than a definitive list. (this video was originally paired with Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True” — but alas, we could not post that on YouTube. So try to watch this while playing that song!)

Thanks everyone. ♥

Money shot of our terracotta warriors, on view until May 27. Tempted to not post this as it sort of gives a lot away, but then, we know that you know there’s nothing like seeing the real thing in person anyway. This is just to whet your appetite. 

Many are stunned by how close they can get to these legendary iconic figures. Some have even reached out and touched them (a big no no). You couldn’t get this close even if you went to the actual burial pit in Xi’an, China. And we’re the only West Coast venue for this exhibition.

Sensoji Temple prospered during the Edo period through its ties with the shogun and other members of the ruling class. It was located in the Asakusa district of Edo (present-day Tokyo), the capital’s most celebrated pleasure quarters. Sensoji still stands and is a popular site, daily attracting thousands of people.

Hiroshige illustrates the main building of the temple complex, the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon), built in 1633. Statues of the gods of thunder and wind would have stood in niches on either side. An enormous paper lantern hangs from the beam of the entrance. Some distance away from this gate are a five-storied pagoda and the Gate of Guardians (Nio-mon).

The open space linking the two gates is the Nakamise (literally, “stores in the middle area”), a famous, busy place where temporary stalls were put up during the temple’s festivals.

Kinryuzan Monastery at Asakusa, from the series, One Hundred Views of Famous Views of Edo, July 1856, by Ando Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858). Ink and colors on paper. Gift of Japanese Prints from the Collection of Emmeline Johnson. Donated by Oliver and Elizabeth Johnson, 1994.34. © Asian Art Museum, San Francisco.

There’s a cold going around AND it’s chilly outside. Wanna fire up your endorphins, clear the sinuses, and enjoy edible lava? Then delicious Szechuan (Sichuan 四川) food is for you. Hurts so good.

Being greeted outside our staff kitchenette.

Love this photo by Antony Marshall, who snapped beautiful pictures of our gallery collection on his recent visit. We found him here on Tumblr.

A hidden gem in the Civic Center neighborhood, our galleries are great to get lost in. This particular piece is a Chinese spirit guardian, one of a pair, from approximately 500-535, made of painted low-fire ceramic. Spiny backed, strange, slightly grotesque, and almost comical, these figures were meant to protect the tomb from unwanted visitors.