Looking at Art

Kanzan (Hanshan), by Tobai (Japanese), approx. 1500-1625. Japan. Hanging scroll; ink and light colors on paper. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60D39+.a.

Justin Chin reads a poem he wrote in response to the artwork, Absence of God VII, 2008 by Raqib Shaw. 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). Co-presented by Litquake.

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.

Members of the Bay Area Filipino community discuss the importance of collecting Philippine art at the Asian Art Museum.

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.

Fudo Myoo (the Immovable One) is one of the powerful deities known as the Five Bright Kings in Japanese Buddhism and folk religion. As a manifestation of the central cosmic Buddha Mahavairochana (Japanese: Dainichi), Fudo is believed to protect Buddhism and its true adherents. Like all Bright Kings, Fudo assumes a frightening form, with a sword in his right hand and a rope in his left. He sits in front of a swiring flame of fire, with which he purifies evil.

Kabuki scholar Laurence Kominz discusses a woodblock print of a Kabuki actor and courtesan depicted in a scene from the famous Japanese epic The Tale of Genji.

In this video, Buddhist monk artists, Seol-min (formerly known as Jae-u) and Myung Chun discuss Korean Buddhist art and paint the Guardian King of the West, which is now in the Asian Art Museum’s collection. This video also includes footage from a symbolic “eye-opening” ceremony, which took place at the museum on December 20, 2003.

Asian Art Museum Art Speak teaching Artist, Imen Yeh, discusses her woodblock printmaking workshop with Art Speak interns and its connection with the Shanghai: Art of the City exhibition.