This elegant daybed is covered in grime. Mirrored surfaces, cloudy and gray, renew their shine under the conservator's careful hand.

Art Historian Tony Godfrey discusses recent developments in Indonesian contemporary art. Godfrey explores questions about a national tradition of art, predominantly painting, has come into being since Indonesian independence in 1945. Art in Indonesia has often been responsive to political or social change, it is also often highly poetic, very satiric and funny. Why is this? Indonesian art is becoming more international: is it in danger of losing its connection to traditional culture and its role in the historical development of the country?

Emerald Cities: Arts of Siam and Burma, 1775–1950 was the first major exhibition in the West to explore the rich but little known arts of Siam and Burma from 1775–1950. View lectures by renowned scholars related to this exhibtion (on view at the Asian Art Museum from October 23, 2009–January 10, 2010).

An excerpt from Sita’s Daughters, a dance piece choreographed and performed by acclaimed artist Mallika Sarabhai.

A conversation with artist Manuel Ocampo, moderated by assistant curator of contemporary art Dr. Karin Oen. This conversation was in conjunction with the exhibition First Look: Collecting Contemporary at the Asian at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco from Sept. 4 through Oct. 11, 2015.

The Society for Asian Art's renowned Arts of Asia lecture series will focus on trade roads and sea routes. You will be transported from courts to caravans, from stupas to shipwrecks, from mountain passes and river valleys to open seas. Travel with merchants and monks, monarchs and missionaries and see their riches and relics. Discover ancient ceramics, sculptures, coins, calligraphy, tea wares, textiles and much more.

Artist, Jakkai Siributr, discusses his work. Here/Not Here: Buddha Presence in Eight Recent Works brings together recent art by Jakkai Siributr, Sopheap Pich, and Pinaree Sanpitak, three artists who use traditional Buddhist ideas and imagery to comment on contemporary life. On view at the Asian Art Museum (April 1–October 23, 2011).

An introduction to the arts of Bali.

Dubbed “one of Southeast Asia’s leading contemporary artists,” Jakkai Siributr is noted for his detailed tapestries and installations that comment on the religious, social and political issues facing Thailand today. Asian Art Museum Art Speak interns sat down with Jakkai to discuss his three works in the exhibition Here/Not Here: Buddha Presence in Eight Recent Works (on view at the Asian Art Museum from April 1–October 23, 3011) and his perspectives on politics, art school, free time, and much more.

In his most recent work, Indonesian artist Jompet Kuswidananto explores political and cultural identity, particularly around the people and history of Java. Informed by theories drawn from the field of cultural studies, he connects local history to global movements with a focus on the fragility of changing identities.

Paul Hoover reads a poem he wrote in response to the works "Anonymity," 2008-2011 (eight from a series of nine light boxes) by Poklong Anading and Chinese bronze mirrors (from the Asian Art Museum's collection). These works are on view as part of 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 with Litquake.

Lion, approx. 1150–1225. Cambodia; former kingdom of Angkor. Sandstone. Museum purchase, B76S1.

Make a monkey puppet in celebration of the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac.

Pair of Door Guardians, approx. 1300-1400.  Indonesia; East Java. Andesite. Gift of Connoisseurs' Council, Walter Jared Frost and David Salman, 1997.6.2.

The sponsorship of art by monarchs, merchants, and devotees throughout Asia will be explored. Lectures will focus on topics spanning Chinese patronage from ancient times through several of the most famous imperial dynasties (Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing) to Jayavarman VII (Angkor Wat), the Safavids in Persia, Jahanara Begum (Shah Jahan's daughter), and even contemporary patrons like the Samsung family. 

While there is no one text or creed that forms the basis of all Hindu beliefs, several texts are considered fundamental to all branches of Hinduism. Learn more.

Join Myrna Zialcita from the San Francisco Filipino Amercian Jazz Festival as we honor Blues, R&B, and Jazz pioneer, San Francisco’s own, Sugar Pie De Santo. Contemporary artist, Aireene Espiritu, will perform some of Ms. De Santo’s classic and beloved compositions, as well as some of her own originals.

Barong masks are often sold as souvenirs, but true ritual Barong are created using a particular type of wood with special ceremonies marking key points in the process. In this video, scholar I Wayan Dibia is at the home of mask carver I Wayan Tanguhh and describes the process of repairing a Barong mask. The Barong is a protective deity that can take on a variety of animal forms--lions, tigers, and boars are some of the more common images--and each one is addressed using a respectful title such as Great God or Great Lord. Many villages, especially in southern Bali, have their own Barong figure. The Barong mask is kept in a shrine within a temple and brought out for use.

Temple dances involve refined, stylized motions of daily life as a gift to visiting deities during festivals. Enchanting music, splendid costumes, and exquisite movements are pleasurable to both divine guests and village audiences. Celebrate the opening of the Bali: Art, Ritual, Performance exhibition (on view at the Asian Art Museum from February 25-September 11, 2011) with an auspicious performance of dance and music by ensemble Gadung Kasturi.

Sita (Sinta), wife of Rama, approx. 1980. Indonesia; West Java. Wood, cloth, and mixed media. From the Mimi and John Herbert Collection, F2000.86.148.

Asian Art Museum Storyteller Miriam Mills tells a scene from from the Rama epic (Ramayana) with the use of artworks in the Asian Art Museum's collection. Discover more fresh takes on this ageless tale in the exhibition, The Rama Epic: Hero, Heroine, Ally, Foe.

The demon king Ravana (Rawana), enemy of Rama, approx. 1950-1980. Indonesia; West Java. Wood, cloth, and mixed media. From The Mimi and John Herbert Collection, F2000.86.31.

Dr. Forrest McGill, Wattis Senior Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art and Director of the Research Institute for Asian Art, will explain to the rituals and their significance of the Thai king's cremation ceremony (Fall 2017).

An introduction to the Rama epic produced for the Asian Art Museum by filmmaker and cultural historian Benoy K. Behl, featuring performances from across South and Southeast Asia.