A mandala is a geometric meditation map made of nested squares and circles, typically organized around a central axis and symbolically oriented to the east, south, west, and north...
An introduction to art museums. Includes interviews with museum staff and a tour of the Asian Art Museum. Filmed in the former location of the Asian Art Museum (prior to 2003; in Golden Gate Park).
“Asia” is a term invented by the Greeks and Romans, and developed by Western geographers to indicate the land mass east of the Ural Mountains and Ural River, together with offshore islands such as Japan and Java.
Arisa White reads a poem she wrote in response to the artwork, "Jingming Point," 1990 by Guo Fengyi. This work is in the exhibition Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past (on view at the Asian Art Museum from May 18-September 2, 2012). This presentation was part of MATCHA Co-presented by Litquake.
The Sikh religion arose in Punjab, a region that is now divided between India and Pakistan. Its followers consider themselves disciples of ten esteemed gurus, or teachers, the first of whom was Nanak (1469–1539), Sikhism’s historical founder. Although Hindu by birth, Nanak also embraced aspects of Muslim teachings, later proclaiming, “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim.”
Senior Curator of Chinese Art, Michael Knight, discusses the importance of Chinese calligraphy and the Thousand-Character Classic in the exhibition, Out of Character: Decoding Chinese Calligraphy (on view at the Asian Art Museum from October 5, 2012–January 13, 2013).
Asian Art Museum Art Speak interns use wheatpasting techniques to publicly display copies of their woodblock prints on the (de)appropriation wall.
In remembrance of the 75th anniversary of the incarceration of Japanese Americans in internment camps across the U.S. during World War II, the museum presents a weeklong exhibition featuring When Rabbit Left the Moon, the video artwork of filmmaker Emiko Omori. We welcome Omori, her sister Chizu Omori, psychiatrist Satsuki Ina and artist Masako Takahashi to share their stories and memories of the past, and what it means for us in the present day. Deputy Director of Arts & Programs Robert Mintz will moderate the discussion.
Whirling Snow on the River Bank, 1639, by Lan Ying (1585–1664). China; Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Hanging scroll; ink on silk. Transfer from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of Mrs. Austin Hills, B69D56.
White phoenix on a pine tree (approx. 1920-1940), by Kamisaka Sekka (1866–1942). Japan. Hanging scroll; ink and colors on silk. The Avery Brundage Collection, 1995.50
