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BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON February 8, 2020

Reimagined Seattle Asian Art Museum Reopens

LED-Light Canopy at Seattle Asian Art Museum

LED-Light Canopy Designed by Seattle-born Artist Kenzan Tsutakawa-Chin Welcomes Visitors

Asian art lovers, rejoice! This weekend, February 8th and 9th, marks the Grand Reopening of Seattle Asian Art Museum, “Reimagined. Revitalized. Reinstalled.” After nearly three years of renovation, the historic 1933 Art Deco building looks like its former self, only better – well-rested and rejuvenated, just like any of us who have enjoyed a long wellness sabbatical.

Overview of New Seattle Asian Art Museum

Expanded Park Lobby at Seattle Asian Art Museum

Glass-Enclosed Park Lobby

Under the direction of LMN Architects, the museum has been retrofitted for seismic activity, climate-controlled, cleaned and scrubbed, and expanded to enhance its connection both within the park and the greater community at large. In short, the update is stunning.

In addition to the infrastructure renovations (mechanical and environmental systems), visitors will discover a new thematic approach to the artwork collection within the only free-standing museum devoted exclusively to Asian art in the U.S. Rather than organizing the galleries geographically or chronologically, the exhibits display a cross-cultural sensibility.

Main Renovations

Beyond the significant infrastructure renovations, the beautiful art deco facade has been restored to its former glory. In a respectful nod to the past, the architects have replaced the tinted glass in the entryway by clear glass as had been designed originally. And while new flooring and new auditorium seating have been installed, each reflects the style of the original design. Also, exterior pathways designed by the famed Olmsted brothers have been restored as have three original fountains (two exterior, one interior).

What’s New

Park Lobby at Seattle Asian Art Museum Creates Visual Connection with Volunteer Park

Expanded Space in Park Lobby Creates Visual Connection with Volunteer Park

Though visitors won’t discover the addition of an on-site cafeteria or expanded gift shop as part of the new development, there are plenty of other surprises.

On the east side of the building, the new 1,247-square-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass-enclosed park lobby immerses the visitor not only in the artwork on display but in the surrounding nature outside. In the Fuller Garden Court, two new portals that open onto the park lobby have been added. A new art elevator and receiving/loading dock allows the facility to showcase larger art forms that previously were limited

Staggered Auditorium Seating at Seattle Asian Art Museum

Staggered Seating Enhances Sight Lines

Downstairs a new multi-purpose glass-enclosed 2,650-square-foot gallery anchors the expanded space. Adjacent to the gallery, for the first time in the museum’s history, a dedicated educational studio provides opportunities for students to engage with, and learn from, visiting artists. “Take a good look,” says Regan Pro, Director for Education and Public Programs. “Once the students get in here, it will never be this quiet or this clean again, and that’s glorious.”

Rounding out the Seattle Asian Art Museum’s downstairs venues is a new community meeting room, plus a conservation center with space for mounting fragile scrolls. For best tips on preserving and hanging scrolls, check out this article on the museum website.

The Asian Art Collection

The Seattle Asian Museum collection highlights artworks across Asia, with a strong foundation in Japanese and Chinese art, thanks to founder Dr. Richard E. Fuller. But visitors can also explore Korea, India, and Southeast Asia through the art objects on display. As Xiaojin Wu, Curator of Japanese and Korean Art explains the intent behind Boundless, the new thematic organization: “We always kept the visitor in mind, looking for ways to ignite questions and spark wonder.”

Visitors can explore stories of spiritual traditions, the natural world, precious objects, and the afterlife, among others, within 13 distinct galleries.

Here are a few selected images that captured my imagination:

Colored Vases by Artist Ai Weiwei

Colored Vases by Artist Ai Weiwei

Flower Ball by Takashi Murakami

Flower Ball by Artist Takashi Murakami

Green Waves painting in ink and gold on silk by Tsuji Kako

Green Waves by Artist Tsuji Kako

For more information, visit Seattle Asian Art Museum.

You might also enjoy the following posts about previous exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum:

Jacob Lawrence Migration Series

Gaugin Pays a Visit to Seattle

Filed Under: Asia, Culture, Museums Tagged With: Asian art, Seattle Asian Art Museum

BY Nancy Mueller 1 Comment ON September 19, 2018

WWI’s Impact on Seattle Revealed in MOHAI Exhibit


Wondering what Seattle’s history has to do with WWI, The Great War, also called The War to End All Wars? Turns out, quite a lot, judging by MOHAI’s (Museum of History and Industry) current exhibit, WWI America.

About

Native American volunteers in WWI, photo courtesy of Minnesota History Center

Hazel Archibald, Seattle 1918, photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

This multimedia, interactive exhibit chronicles events leading up to The Great War, the war itself and its aftermath. Most noteworthy, “It’s an exercise in sensory immersion,” says Brian Horrigan, Curator at Minnesota Historical Society. Horrigan helped develop the program over a three-year period. He invites visitors to explore America’s turbulent transformation onto the global stage through the exhibit’s 300 images, thirteen different media pieces and notable artifacts like a desk chair from the Lusitania.

1952.56.14 Photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

Or how about a pair of Houdini handcuffs, a women’s suffrage banner and President Woodrow Wilson’s top hat? Propaganda posters, documented peace efforts, news headlines from The Seattle Star all play a part in the exhibit. Visitors can even crank the handle of a vintage victrola to hear songs of the times like “Over There.”

Impact on Seattleites

The “Red Barn,” June 8, 1917, photo courtesy of the MOHAI Collection

The four-year, three-month and 14-day war “shaped the nation in profound and lasting ways,” explains Horrigan.

From local volunteers and those drafted into service, from the Skinner and Eddy shipyard to Boeing’s beginnings,  viewers can also follow the trail of national events to the war’s impact on Seattleites.

But what’s Seattle’s history have to do with our current state of affairs? Beyond the well-worn quote: “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” Horrigan points out, “We’re still grappling with many of the same issues today that had their roots in WWI: women and civil rights, pandemics, labor struggles, returning veterans and immigration fears.”

Through the stories and photos of real people whose lives were upended irrevocably because of the war, visitors gain a sense of immediacy, emotional resonance and current relevance.

Events

Inspired to learn more about the origins and effect of WWI on past and present America?

MOHAI has lined up a number of special events to coincide with the Armistice Day Centennial Commemoration on November 11th, the day the war ended.

Wednesday October 3rd, 6PM, MOHAI presents a special performance of Northwest Passages by Living Voices to capture the devastating impact of The Spanish Flu, brought to America by returning veterans. Visitors can discover how to prevent the spread of flu today and even get a free flu shot, hosted by Bartell Drugs, on site.

Saturday October 20th, 11AM, 12 and 2PM – Hear the stories behind the clothing that people wore during the war, paving the way from The Edwardian Era to The Roaring Twenties.

Friday November 9th, 6:30 – 9PM, WWI America Member Celebration, kicks off MOHAI’s Armistice Day Centennial commemoration weekend.

Saturday November 10th – Monday November 12th, 10AM – 5PM, Attend a major highlight of the exhibit, featuring a special ceremony on the 11th hour of the 11th day of November. Officials will present a ceremonial ringing of the bells, as part of the National Bells of Peace Program, including The Seattle Fire Bell of 1890, which has not been officially rung this century.

Resources

And just in case you want to follow the rabbit hole a bit further, here are a few additional resources to check out:

The Guns of August – Thanks to MOHAI’s WWI America exhibit, this might be the year I finally heed my high school history teacher’s advice and read Barbara W. Tuckman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic.

American Experience: The Great War  – 3-part documentary, now streaming on PBS.

BBC Four – The First World War – In depth 10-part series

The First World War, The Complete Series – 4 DVD set

Downton Abbey – The Complete Series – Yes, that Downton Abbey, for a fan-favorite dramatic series with WWI as backdrop.

For More Information

Visit Seattle’s MOHAI.

 

Filed Under: Art, Culture, Museums Tagged With: MOHAI, The Great War, WWI

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON April 18, 2015

Beyond "Gong Xi Fa Cai!" in Richmond, BC

Chinese New Year

Smiling faces and friendly greetings of “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” follow me as I stroll through the bustling Asian shopping extravaganza. Here at Aberdeen Centre, hundreds of Chinese lanterns hang high overhead. Everywhere I look, a sea of red and gold, lucky colors in Chinese culture, light up storefronts in dazzling vendor displays. Packages of red envelopes, gold-foiled candies and small stuffed rams line the tables from end to end. The scent of fresh flowers and fruit fill the market mall. Meanwhile, the promise of exuberant lion dances express the joyous spirit of revelers on the scene. The celebration of China’s longest and most important holiday appears well underway even though the official kickoff is still days away.

Annually the holiday occurs between the end of January and February, with a variable start date, based on the Chinese lunar calendar. Closely connected to the Chinese Zodiac, each year features one of twelve animal signs that rotate in a twelve-year cycle. 2015 celebrates “Year of the Sheep,” or “Goat” or “Ram,” depending on the translation.

Whether you wish another person “Gong Xi Fa Cai” in Mandarin or “Gong Hey Fat Choy” in Cantonese, each expresses the same sentiment: “Wishing you great happiness and prosperity!” Translating the English version, “Happy New Year,” into Chinese becomes, “Xin Nian Kuai Le,” or “New Year Happy.” It’s a time for leaving the old year behind, symbolized in ritual house cleaning, in eager anticipation of new beginnings, a sweeping away of the past for the promise of what lies ahead.

Tastes of Asia in Richmond, BC

On the restaurant scene, delectable dining menus feature “lucky foods,” tokens of good luck, longevity and prosperity: a whole squab for wholeness with family (the head and tail for good beginnings and good endings), fish and dumplings for money, tongue for ease, oysters for good business and long noodles for longevity. But with menu names like “Beautiful Family Happy Days,” often the real adventure lies in discovering exactly what foods comprise the dish. Visits to the Richmond Public Market and Osaka Grocery Store at Yaohan Center shed some of the mystery by offering a peek at Asian meal ingredients and an authentic Asian food court.

Chinese Calligraphy

Sixty percent of the local population in Richmond, British Columbia is of Asian, predominantly Chinese, descent. Little wonder then that Chinese New Year has become a favorite annual festival in this once-sleepy Vancouver suburb. But a visit to Richmond, B.C. reveals the region’s diverse cultural traditions beyond celebrating Asia’s lunar holiday.

Lingyen Mountain Temple

For starters, visit Richmond’s No. 5 road, better known as “Highway to Heaven,” to see how residents of different religious faiths and spiritual practices co-exist peacefully. Mosques, temples and churches encourage visitors for guided tours, special events, lectures, celebrations and art exhibits. Our Richmond stay includes a brief stop at the Buddhist Ling Yen Mountain Temple, home to 10,000 worshippers. Welcomed with a cup of fragrant Asian tea upon arrival, we next tour the Chinese palatial-style temple and hibernating garden grounds while sounds of chanting surround us, creating a calm and peaceful presence on our walk.

Tea Ceremony

To gain further insight into the diverse cultures of local inhabitants, visitors can attend a tea ceremony, explore a traditional Chinese medicine shop or browse the two-dollar Japanese bargain store, Daiso, all at the Aberdeen Centre. And with summer on the horizon, why not extend your cultural explorations at the area’s two Asian Night Markets, a stunning array of vendors serving sweet and savory dishes, together with live entertainment and performances.

For more information, visit:

Tourism Richmond
Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport
Ling Yen Mountain Temple
Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant
Lulu Island Winery
Bushuair Restaurant
Chef Tony Seafood Restaurant
Richmond Public Market
Yaohan Centre
Aberdeen Centre
Uncle Lu

Many thanks to my host, Tourism Richmond, for this glimpse into the cultural wonders of the region!

Richmond, BC

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite way to discover a new region through its cultural traditions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, British Columbia, Culture, Holidays Tagged With: Chinese New Year, Gong Hey Fat Choy, Gong Xi Fa Cai, Happy New Year, Highway to Heaven, Richmond BC

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON March 13, 2015

Chase Away the Clouds at Chihuly Garden and Glass

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Need a color infusion to brighten your cloudy days? In Seattle, look no further than Chihuly Garden and Glass for a striking counterbalance to Fifty Shades of Grey in the Pacific Northwest. Showcasing the works of local glass artist, Dale Chihuly, the long-term exhibit at Seattle Center offers a vibrant tonic of sumptuous colors, innovation and inspiration.

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Wandering through the stunning collection reminds me of the Navajo prayer and blessing, “Walking in Beauty:”

Beauty is before
me, and beauty
is behind me,
Above me and
below me hovers
the beautiful.

IMG_4253

In color palettes ranging from cobalt blues to fiery reds, in tones from golden yellows, iridescent orange to honey amber, the collection dazzles as a movable feast for the senses.

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Visitors can learn more about the eight art galleries, soaring glasshouse, and outdoor garden in daily spotlight talks with exhibition hosts. The notable galleries include a Sealife Room, Chandeliers . . .

Chihuly Ikebana and Float Boats

Ikebana and Float Boats . . .

Chihuly Float Boats

Macchia Forest . . .

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Glasshouse and Garden.

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For more information about the exhibit, special events or to purchase tickets to Walk with the Gardener visit Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite way to beat the winter blues?

 

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Culture, Gardens & Nurseries, Seattle, Travel Experiences Tagged With: art, color, Dale Chihuly, gardens, glass art, Nature

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON December 18, 2014

Ring in the New Year in Rio!

New Year's Eve in Rio

(photo courtesy of flickr – Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, Rèveillon 2013 – Copacabana – Rio de Janeiro)

So, how do the Cariocas (as Rio’s fun-loving city inhabitants call themselves) ring in the New Year in Rio? Let’s take a look . . .

Fireworks

As with many cultures, the start of the New Year in Brazil represents a time of renewal, a fresh start and hope for the future. In Rio, the biggest celebration takes place on Copacabana Beach where millions of partygoers flock to the shore to watch the midnight fireworks display set from ocean barges. Meanwhile a steady samba beat fills the sultry summer evening air.

Cultural Traditions

New Year’s in Rio honors the city’s rich cultural heritage. For starters, revelers wear all white clothing to symbolize a cleansing of the past and a welcoming nod to the New Year. But to attract a certain kind of luck, many add accent colors, too, each with its own symbolism: red, to attract love and romance; green, for good health; and yellow for prosperity.

Another popular New Year’s tradition comes from Candomblé, Rio’s Afro-Brazilian religion. In this ritual, celebrants cast white flowers, floating candles and toy wooden boats with small gifts into the ocean as offerings to Yemanja, Queen of the Seas. Believers say that if your tokens return to you, your wishes will not be granted, though nothing prevents you from trying again.

Just after midnight, merrymakers jump into the ocean to skip over seven different waves, making seven different wishes to Yemanja for the New Year. But legend says that if you turn your back while going back to shore, your wishes will not come true.

Food

Naturally, Rio’s New Year festivities include favorite Brazilian foods for good luck, like lentils, pork and fish accompanied by the pop of champagne to bring in the New Year. And where does chocolate fit in, I wonder . . . ?

Rio NYE

(photo courtesy of flickr – Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, Rèveillon 2013 – Rio de Janeiro)

Feliz Ano Novo, wanderboomers!

Wander on!

Nancy

Have you ever celebrated New Year’s in Rio, wanderboomers? Where’s your favorite place to ring in the New Year?

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Brazil, Culture, Holidays Tagged With: Candomblé, Copacabana Beach, Feliz Ano Novo, New Year, Rio, Yemanja

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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