Pacific Asia Museum

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Lichee Box

China Modern: Designing Popular Culture
1910-1970

August 6, 2010 – February 6, 2011
In the Changing Exhibition Galleries

China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970 demonstrates how political ideologies and cultural values are transmitted via everyday objects, with a selection of over 100 iconic pieces. The exhibition focuses on the creation of advertising images, along with commodities, and things made for the modern home in two main periods: 'Cosmopolitan Capitalism: Shanghai Under the Republic, 1910-1949' and 'A Revolution in Culture: Designing the People’s Republic, 1949-1970'.

Viewers will start at the late Qing Dynasty, when there were New Year woodblock prints in every household. From there, they will journey through the streets of Shanghai, the commercial/cultural center of the Republic Era, where western-style modernity was embraced by the elite and started to influence Chinese cinema, music, advertisements, fashion, and publishing.

Next, they will move on to the People's Republic of China and explore how the Communist Party used popular culture as a mean to spread the new ideology and consolidate power. Propaganda posters, plays, and operas were used to promote political campaigns, such as the “Hundred Flowers Campaign” or “The Long March” The campaigns peaked during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), when the image of Chairman Mao could be found everywhere from the Politburo to everyday household items, such as teapots. This section will begin in a town square setting where political slogans and propaganda are mounted. Then, viewers will be invited into a household where day-to-day items, such as eating utensils, appliances, and toys, are displayed.

After learning about these two main periods in 20th century graphic design in China, the exhibition will invite viewers to consider the period from the end of the 1970s to the present. Designers have propelled the known popular vocabulary to a new height: the image of Chairman Mao is no longer used merely to promote political ideology but to promote products, and Shanghai modern beauties have been revived to sell teas, cosmetics, and fashions.

Guest Curator: Kalim Winata

Related Events:

Fusion Fridays - An Evening in 1930’s Shanghai: Be a part of the grand finale of Pasadena’s hottest summertime series as we celebrate in classic Shanghai style. Co-hosted by Asian Professional Exchange and the museum’s Chinese Arts Council, we will be featuring China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910–1970.

Cocktail or 1930’s attire. Open bar. $10 members /$15 general admission in advance, $20 at door.

Check out KPCC's coverage of our Inaugural Fusion Friday event on May 14th: KPCC - About Town - Fusion Fridays

August 28, 2-4pm
Curator's Tour Day: Two talented guest curators share behind-the-scenes insights on their dynamic exhibitions. First, at 2pm, explore Visualizing Faith: Buddhist Art in Thailand with Melody Rod-Ari

Then check out China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970 with Kalim Winata.

August 29, 4-6pm
Community Partners Family Day Sunday: Celebrating China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970! Discover how two dramatically different ideologies – capitalism and communism – are brought to the level of popular culture, with a focus on cosmopolitan Shanghai and Cultural Revolution. Great opportunity to look back at the 20th Century China and appreciate the eternal charm of graphic art!

Docent-led tours, hands-on activity, musical performance by String and Bamboo Music. Chance to win a museum membership! Featuring popular Coolhaus ice-cream sandwiches truck!

Free for museum members. Included with admission for non-members: adults $9, students/ seniors $7, free for children under 12.

2-for-1 admission for community co-presenters’ members and their families! Visitors are welcome all day.
Co-presented by: Asian Business Association, Asia Society of S.C., Chinese American Citizens Alliance GSGV, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, L.A., Peking University Alumni Association of S.C., Roundtable of Chinese American Organizations, Kiangsu-Chekiang-Shanghai Association of USA, String and Bamboo Music

Buddha Thailand, 15th Century Pacific Asia Museum Collection; 1984.90.8

Visualizing Faith: Buddhist Art in Thailand

June 17, 2010 through January 9, 2011
In the Focus Gallery

Our series of three community-curated exhibitions, after having successfully begun with exhibitions of both Pacific Island and Philippine materials, continues with this display of Thai Buddhist art in the PAM collection. PAM is pleased to be working closely with the monastic community of the Wat Thai, in North Hollywood, one of the largest Thai Buddhist temples outside of Thailand. These projects bring a fresh perspective to our visitors and invite the community members to interact with the collection in a meaningful way, adding a contextual framework to the art. In addition, they expand the staff’s knowledge of cultural practices and the importance of art in them. We look forward to seeing the community’s vision represented in the galleries.

The exhibition is funded in part is provided by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission and guest curated by the sangha, or community of monks, of Wat Thai and Melody Rod-Ari.

Related Events:

August 28, 2-4pm
Curator's Tour Day: Two talented guest curators share behind-the-scenes insights on their dynamic exhibitions. First, at 2pm, explore Visualizing Faith: Buddhist Art in Thailand with Melody Rod-Ari

Then check out China Modern: Designing Popular Culture 1910-1970 with Kalim Winata.

A Spring Scene–Woman Folding Robe, Japan, 19th century, Kikugawa Eizan, woodblock print on paper, Pacific Asia Museum Collection. Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Lowrie in memory of Mr. Robert T. Lowrie, 1978.16.92

Japan in Blue and White

March 25, 2010 – March 6, 2011
In the Frank and Toshie Mosher Gallery of Japanese Art

In Japan, the pairing of blue and white has resulted in some of the most dramatic and uniquely Japanese designs. Indigo blue dye has been used to embellish textiles for centuries, while the mineral cobalt oxide has been used since the 17th century as an underglaze pigment on ceramics. In the early 19th century, a third blue pigment, Prussian blue, was imported from Europe and was so popular that it gave rise to a type of woodblock print known as aizuri-e, or "pictures printed in blue." These three blue pigments were originally employed for practical reasons – indigo dye repelled mosquitoes, cobalt oxide is one of the most stable underglaze ceramic pigments, and Prussian blue was colorfast. Mainly drawn from the Museum’s collection, the exhibition will focus on blue and white ceramics, textiles and woodblock prints to illustrate the history of three blue pigments and their development in Japan.

Guest-curated by Meher McArthur

This exhibition was made possible by Setsuko Oka in honor of Grace Oka Latham

Related Events:

Saturday, April 17, 11am
Curator's Tour: Explore the science and art of color in Japan in Blue and White with Meher McArthur.

Friday, May 7
Reception: Members at the Chrysanthemum level and above enjoy a celebration of Japan in Blue and White.To RSVP or learn more about how you can become an upper level member, please contact Chelsea at 626-449-2742 ext 37.