Resources

Xu Bing is renowned for his artistic explorations of the role of language in human life.

Zhoong Kui (the demon queller) on a donkey, 1941, Pu Ru (1896-1963). China. Hanging scroll; ink and colors on paper. Acquisition made possible by John W. and Christine C. Barr, B82D2.

Artist Joanna Swan discusses India and her work during the during the PechaKucha Night at the Asian Art Museum.

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.

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.

Asian Art Museum Art Speak interns have a conversation with artist and animator Sanjay Patel.

This conversation celebrates the opening of the exhibition Out of Character: Decoding Chinese Calligraphy (on view at the Asian Art Museum from October 5, 2012–January 13, 2013). It explores the overlapping interests of internationally recognized contemporary artist Xu Bing and Jerry Yang, a passionate collector and practitioner of Chinese calligraphy. The museum’s director, Dr. Jay Xu, moderates the discussion, focusing on the new artwork by Xu Bing commissioned for the exhibition, along with masterpiece artworks from Jerry Yang’s collection.

Artist Hiroshi Sugimoto recently expanded his work to include traditional Japanese performing arts such as bunraku, or puppet theater, through film. Most recently, Sugimoto lent his vision to the arrangement, direction, and stage design of an adaptation of famed bunraku play The Love Suicide at Sonezaki (Sonezaki Shinju), a 1703 work by Chikamatsu Monzaemon. The program begins with a screening of this monumental project, followed by a conversation between the artist and Phantoms of Asia (on view at the Asian Art Museum from May 18–September 2, 2012) guest curator Mami Kataoka.

Join world renowned contemporary Chinese artist Zhang Huan in conversation with Asian Art Museum director Jay Xu. The San Francisco Arts Commission will present the world premiere of Zhang’s colossal work,Three Heads Six Arms (2008), which will be the focal point of San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, nestled between City Hall and the Asian Art Museum. Standing over 26 feet tall and weighing almost 15 tons, the copper sculpture is the artist’s largest work to date. Zhang, who is based in Shanghai, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and provocative contemporary artists working today. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about this artists work against the backdrop of the Shanghai exhibition at the Asian Art Museum and the city-wide celebration of the 30th anniversary of the San Francisco Shanghai Sister City relationship. The program will be introduced by Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs for the San Francisco Arts Commission. Please note Mr. Zhang will speak in Chinese. English translation will be provided by Wang Xiaoyu.

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).