Asia Week San Francisco Bay Area 2015

Not able to go to China? Putting off that trip to Mongolia? Not to worry – for one activity and art packed week, Asia comes to the Bay Area.

Starting October 2nd through October 10, the week brings together Asian art dealers, auction houses, cultural institutions and academia, uniting the diverse participants around the theme of “Asian Art in the Contemporary World.”

The week begins with a Chinatown Art walk. Led by the Chinese Culture Foundation, the walk takes visitors through a history of Chinatown’s struggle to control its image and voice. The artwork seen on this guided tour features significant events in history such as the I-Hotel and also symbols of cultural pride

 Qui Deshu. Fissure - Gathered Colors, 2009

In the afternoon, NanHai Art is sponsoring a two-part symposium on “Asian Art in the Contemporary World.  The first panel is titled “Innovation and Continuity: Art Across Asia Now, the symposium will survey major  trends in contemporary Asian Art.  The second panel focuses on art from marketing and collecting perspectives. The gallery is also showing the work of Qui Deshu, whose work combines a traditional Chinese aesthetic along with a modern perspective.

In between, the visitor can view the current exhibit at the Asian Art Museum “First Look an exhibition featuring highlights and recent acquisitions in the Museum’s expanding contemporary art collection. Running until 11 October, the show marks the second time in 2015 that the Asian Art Museum is mounting a major display of contemporary art from its collection. Allison Harding,  the Guest Curator organized “First Look”.  She explained “To truly understand the contemporary, you must understand the tradition from which it emerged. “First Look” embodies how tradition can inspire new works in the present and continue to impact contemporary life.”

In Berkeley, California, you will find The Mongolia Foundation presenting an exhibition of three leading Mongolian women artists. Munkhtsetseg Jalkhaajav, also known as Mugi, currently has her works on show at the 56th Venice Biennale 2015. She creates oil paintings, collage, bronze and fabric sculptures, with themes of healing and nature. In contrast, Nomin Bold uses a traditional painting style known as Mongol Zurag, while Tugs-Oyun Sodnom is one of the earliest female oil painters in Mongolia whose versatility spans oil painting and graphic art.

While at the foundation, head over to the concurrent exhibition “Bay Area Mongolian Artists: Visions from Afar” featuring three artists based in the San Francisco and East Bay regions. One of the artists, Turburam Sandagdorj also known as Turo, uses paper cutting techniques in both large and minuscule installations. His work features characters in Mongolian folk tales and the world of fantasy. The Institute for East Asian Studies at  UC Berkeley is presenting "Auspicious Images to Feminist Critiques: The Evolution of Mithila Painting in Rural India. "

The week culminates with the opening party with San Francisco’s Open Studios, the city’s biggest art event of the year SF Open Studios is the oldest and largest open studios program in the country, featuring an annual, month-long art event in October and November that showcases over 800 emerging and established San Francisco artists in their studios. We invite you to explore our city and find amazing art at every turn. You’ll discover an authentic connection to your art community and artwork in myriad forms, from painting, photography, and printmaking to glass, metal sculpture, and more. The event connects collectors with artists for engaging dialogue and a glimpse into the life of the working artist; SF Open Studios simultaneously helps artists build their mailing list, gain new admirers, and ultimately sustain a living making art.

The complete schedule and list of participants is here.