Cutting into the past (Pasadena Weekly)

[Steve Hubbell]

Cutting into the past
Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum brings history up to date with ‘The Samurai Re-Imagined’

By Carl Kozlowski 02/12/2009

Entering Pasadena’s Pacific Asia Museum always produces a sense of wonder, as visitors are surrounded by exotic treasures and relics of seemingly timeless Eastern cultures. Rarely does this longtime local institution reveal a more cutting-edge side with the potential to draw attention from across the age spectrum.

But “The Samurai Re-Imagined: From Ukiyo-e to Anime” aims to change all that.

Beginning Thursday, Feb. 19, and running through Aug. 9, “Samurai Re-Imagined” displays samurai imagery from across the centuries, building from woodblock prints all the way through newly created anime (a form of animation that originated in Japan) and manga (Japanese graphic novels) — all part of recent efforts to broaden PAM’s audience base, says Julian Bermudez, the exhibit’s curator.

“This is the first exhibit of its kind for PAM,” notes Bermudez. “The museum is perceived as being traditional with traditional works of art, but it’s also known for groundbreaking contemporary art exhibits. This show is not traditional; it’s a step from doing a traditional or contemporary show in looking at how there’s an exchange between artworks of the past to artworks of the present.”

Bermudez notes that the museum is hoping to entice animation and film lovers, who will see modern works juxtaposed with traditional art in order to establish a deeper historic context in Japanese art forms.

“Lovers of prints and paintings can appreciate the show,” says Bermudez, “just like a younger audience that’s into anime and manga, and see that, wow, nothing exists in a vacuum. There’s all this connection and history between the two.”

Designing the exhibit required an intensive two-year process for museum staff. The image of the samurai and its evolution are reinterpreted and traced over the course of more than three centuries — from a woodblock-printed book made in 1669 through an animation production drawing from the popular 21st-century Japanese TV series “Samurai Champloo.”

One of the leading featured artists is Pasadena’s Stan Sakai, who has become one of the world’s leading manga artists through his “Usagi Yojimbo” series. Sakai will discuss and sign his books at 3 p.m. March 22 as part of the museum’s “Artists on Asia” series, where he will also offer a live demonstration of his art.

“I refer to a lot of the old woodcuts from great artists for inspiration and reference them in my own comic book/graphic novel series. I do it not only for references of armor, but also subject matter,” explains 55-year-old Sakai, who was born in Kyoto, Japan, and later attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

“Basically I’m going to do a presentation on what I do and how I do it and answer questions,” says Sakai. “‘Usagi’ is translated in 12 different languages, so there’s interest in Japanese manga and history worldwide. When I go to Europe, manga is as popular there as it is here.”

Among the exhibition’s other highlights are a two-part class on March 7 and 14 in association with UCLA Extension on “Drawing a Revolution: A History of Japanese Anime and Manga,” and a free four-hour Japanimation Festival with performances, crafts, demonstrations and exhibitions from noon to 4 p.m. on March 14.

In addition, there will be an Anime Film Festival over five nights from May 14 to July 23, featuring seven films ranging from the 1931 “Momotaro’s Sky Adventure” to modern-day popular films including “Samurai X” and “Gundam Wing: The Movie.”

“We’re going as far back as Japan’s Edo period (1603-1867) and into the present. Japan’s Edo period was an extreme point in history where the arts exploded: literature, art, thread-making,” adds Bermudez. “There was a plethora of samurai images with it all.”

“The Samurai Re-Imagined: From Ukiyo-e to Anime” opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and continues through Aug. 9 at the Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Admission is $7, $5 for students and seniors, or free for children ages 11 and under. Call (626) 449-2742 or visit pacificasiamuseum.org.

http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story ... past/6901/

[Stan Sakai]

How do you find these things?! The reporter called last week and we chatted for a couple of minutes, then I forgot about it. I did not know that it was already published.

Which reminds me that I have got to RSVP for next week's reception.

[tru2gzus]

How do you find these things?! The reporter called last week and we chatted for a couple of minutes, then I forgot about it. I did not know that it was already published.

Steve is the King of articles finding / news flashes on UY! Hands down. Nice job man!! Stan, your fans just can't get enough of all your great work!!

[Steve Hubbell]

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Anime-related events coming to museum
Staff Reports
Posted: 03/14/2009 06:29:35 PM PDT

PASADENA - The Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., will offer two weekend events in conjunction with its latest exhibit, "The Samurai Re-Imagined: From Ukiyo-e to Anime."

Game designer Alexei Othenin-Girard will present a lecture and workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. March 21. The hands-on event will cover the history and culture of game design. To register, call (626) 449-2742, Ext. 31.

Stan Sakai, creator of the "Usagi Yojimbo" series, will discuss and sign his books at the museum at 3 p.m. March 22. To attend, call (626) 449-2742, Ext. 19.

Both events are free with admission, which is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students and free for children under 12.

For more information museum programs, visit www.pacificasiamuseum.org.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_11915369?source=rss