Asian Arts Council Calendar - July 2023 - June 2024

Lectures and Study Group meet in Zoom!

1. Lectures, and More

2. Zoom lectures are FREE (for now)! Please encourage friends to join in on these excellent lectures!
   To register, find the date on the calendar of The San Diego Museum of Art. Click here! Once registered, an invitation email will be sent.

3. Saturday, Apr 20 - 7:30 a.m.

   Bus Trip to LACMA and The Japan Foundation
   
   - Details

   Korean Treasures
   from the Chester and Cameron Chang Collection
   Los Angeles County Museum of Art
   
   Tatsu: Depictions of Dragons in Japanese Art
   The Japan Foundation
   
   Saturday, April 20th
   Departs at 7:30 a.m.
   Old Naval Hospital Parking Lot, Park Blvd.
   (Additional Pickup at 8 a.m. at La Costa Park & Ride)
   
   Returns by 8:00 p.m. (Approx.)
   
   $150/Person for AAC Members
   $165/Person for Guests
   
   Korean Treasures presents 35 artworks from the recently-donated Chang family collection, the largest gift of Korean art in LACMA’s history. This introductory exhibition presents traditional Korean paintings, calligraphic folding screens, mid-20th century oil paintings from both North and South Korea, and ceramics of the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1897) dynasties.
   
   TATSU: Depictions of Dragons in Japanese Art celebrates this beloved motif through a variety of dynamic and beautiful works - from paintings and prints to ceramics, metalwork and textiles. The dragon is showcased not only as an exciting mythical creature, but also as an enduring symbol of power and protection. A private tour will be guided by exhibition curator Meher McArthur, a longtime friend of the AAC.

4. Thursday, Apr 25 - 1:00 p.m.

   Aesthetics of the Meiji Period
   in Japan (1868-1912) 
   
   Image Credit: Namikawa Yasuyuki (Japan, 1845-1927) Incense Burner with Design of Birds Flying amid Trees and Flowering Plants, circa 1885 Cloisonné with silver wire and mounts 3 7/16 × 3 3/4 × 3 1/8 in. (8.8 × 9.5 × 8 cm) LACMA, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tosk (M.91.251.2)
   
   - Details

   Recent Scholarship and exhibitions on the Meiji period in Japan (1868-1912) give us a much clearer idea of the development of the arts and aesthetics during the highly complex period in Japanese history. Part of the press release for Hollis' presentation at Asia Week last month follows:
   "The Nippon Club Presents “The Meiji Aesthetics: Influences from Edo to Now." (exhibition title)
   "In a particular highlight of Asia Week, Ms. Hollis Goodall, Curator Emerita of Japanese Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, will deliver an illustrative lecture on Monday, March 18, at 3 pm. She will talk about “THE MEIJI AESTHETIC”. Rapid changes to all aspects of life in Japan during the Meiji Era included impacts on arts and aesthetics. As art-craft (kōgei) and paintings displayed at international expositions brought in cash to build the country and its military, government members and artists participated in the debates around how to modernize Japanese art.” This lecture on Meiji Aesthetics will outline the evolution in attitudes and resulting stylistic changes in art as the Meiji era progressed. This standing-room-only lecture has historically been one of the most anticipated features of Asia Week, offering insightful perspectives on Japanese art and culture."
   
   Organized by Orientations Gallery and Oriental Treasure Box Gallery"

   Hollis Goodall, Curator Emerita of Japanese Art at LACMA 

5. Thursday, May 30 - 1:00 p.m.

   Ottoman influences on Islamic Batik from Indonesia, A context of Understanding  - Click for Details

   Throughout the Indonesian archipelago, calligraphic batik textiles have been used during sacred ceremonies. Such cloths were made primarily in Jambi, west Sumatra but were also known from the North Coast of Java. They were patterned by a hand-painted wax resist, tulis. These batiks absorbed stylistic influences from the outside world through trade, pilgrimage and politics.
   
   Ottoman influences on batik kaligrafi include the use of a tugra, the official signature of the Ottoman emperor, as an icon. With many layers of meaning, it served as a statement of political alliance but also as a talismanic device. One need not be literate to recognize the power of such a striking graphic device to ward off the evil eye.
   
   This lecture will offer a review of the long relation between Indonesia and Turkey from the 16th Century forward; consider the role of spice trade economics on European colonialism and Islamic local resistance; and finally, survey all forms of calligraphic batik, offering a new interpretation of their purpose which suggests these cloths may be much earlier than previously identified, and how this tradition continues in an interesting and unexpected ways.
   
   Speaker Bio: Thomas Murray is an independent researcher, collector, lecturer and private dealer of Asian and Tribal art with an emphasis on Indonesian sculpture and textiles, as well as animistic art from other varied cultures. He also features Indian Trade Cloths from the 14th-18th Centuries. A HALI magazine Contributing Editor for the last 30 years, he serves as their “in-house” expert on all tribal sculpture and textiles, with over 50 publications. His most recent books, “Textiles of Japan,” “Rarities From the Himalayas to Hawaii,” and “Textiles of Indonesia,” were met with critical acclaim. Thomas Murray is past President of ATADA, The Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association and served a three-year term as a member of President Obama’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee at the State Department. In a letter from a White House, President Obama said, “This dedicated individual brings a wealth of experience and talent to his new role and I am proud to have him serve in the months and years to come.” Thomas Murray continues to consult with museums and private clients all over the world.

   Thomas Murray, independent researcher, collector, lecturer and private dealer of Asian and Tribal art 

6. Thursday, June 27 - 1:00 p.m.

   IN PERSON LECTURE, RECEPTION AFTER IN THE MUSEUM BOARDROOM    

7. Saturday, Sep 7,2024 - Jan 5, 2025

    Wonders of Creation: Art, Science & Innovation in the Islamic World
   Exhibition at SDMA - Details

   More soon: Have you thought of our numbers being Arabic? Watch for a bookbinding workshop. Nov 23rd: Rapper

   Ladan Akbarnia, Curator

8. Thursday, Sep 26 - 1:00 p.m.

   Devine Felines
   

   Riannon Paget, Curator of Asian art, Center for Asian Art, John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art