Overview

Join us for the culminating event for the exhibition P L A C E: Reckonings by Asian American Artists, bringing together 12 leading artists, curators, and thought leaders to delve into deeper discussions of issues raised by the exhibition. There will be three panels who will address:

• What does it mean to be an Asian American artist in this present time? Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, We Gon’ Be Alright, and Who We Be, leads a lively, intergenerational discussion on how an artist’s identity influences their work, and whether there is a responsibility to be true to yourself or a greater responsibility to be true to your community. And, what does activism look like from an artist’s perspective? Panelists include visual artist Phung Huynh, filmmaker Jalena Keane Lee, and visual artist Jenifer Wofford.
   
• How do we make the institution more human and capable of caring for the ever-changing spaces of Asian American artistic practices? Michele Carlson, a member of Related Tactics as well as a writer, curator, and educator, moderates a discussion on institutional care and the problematics of legacy. Acknowledging that the term ‘Asian American art’ is an institutional framework in and of itself, how do we sustain and confront the challenges of building legacy within the linearity of the institution for a vast and ever-changing demographic and community? When an institution historically underrepresents or misrepresents Asian Americans, why is it urgent to continue to work within these systems? Panelists include Aleesa Pitchamarn Alexander, Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Co-Director of the Asian American Art Initiative at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University, and Christina Ayson-Plank, Asian Pacific American Collections, Smithsonian Archives of American Art.
   
• How do we build bridges? Christine Wong Yap, visual artist and social practitioner, will lead a panel that will share projects illustrating how they have built cross-cultural bridges, transcended borders, practiced allyship/accompliceship, or designed immersive experiences to explore complex social relationships. Along the way, they’ll share lessons learned around collaboration, accountability, solidarity, interdependence, and sustainability. They will also discuss the potential for human-centered, process-oriented approaches to resist commodification and dehumanization while fostering belonging and common humanity. Panelists include Brett Cook, interdisciplinary artist and educator; Beatrice Glow, multidisciplinary artist; and Michelle Lin, ARTogether Artist Growth Program Director, textile artist, and author.

The symposium is scheduled from 11am–4pm. Guests can join a single panel or stay for all three. Bring your own lunch—or add one to your ticket! Lunches include a choice of sandwich, plus chips and a cookie (you will be prompted to add lunch during the checkout process; pre-order only, deadline is August 7). Non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase at the event.

This event is a related program of P L A C E: Reckonings by Asian American Artists, an exhibition jointly organized by Montalvo Arts Center’s Lucas Artists Program and the ICA San Jose.