Qing Dynasty Ceramics SDSU Chinese Cultural Center and SD Chinese Historical Museum

by Patricia Frischer 

If you have any interest in color or Chinese Porcelain, I highly recommend the Chinese American Experience and Beyond lecture series on the topic of "Qing Dynasty Ceramics: An unprecedented era of colorful glaze innovations", by Allie Arnell, with comments and works from his own collection by Andy Lu.

In the Qing Dynasty, the vogue for porcelain in Europe would reach its height during the first half of the 18th century. This presentation showed the gorgeous colors such as café au lait, pale yellow, brilliant turquoise, apple green, purple or eggplant, etc. There were over 40 colors in the porcelain during the Qing Dynasty.

This program is presented to you by the SDSU Chinese Cultural Center and San Diego Chinese Historical Museum.

Here is just a short selection of the fabulous works that were discussed. The Song Period preceded the Qing Period with each previous period influencing the next but adding something new.

Allie Arnell

Andy Lu

Waves of Feminism mural by Katie Ruiz at Women's Museum of California

by Patricia Frischer

I joined the Women's Museum of California’s virtual Waves of Feminism mural unveiling and was treated to a behind the screnes creation talk about the inspiration behind the project and how the mural came to be. We got to see the mural created by Katie Ruiz and to hear from Sue Gonda how the women in the three waves of the mural were selected. We learned about separate issues that were prevalent in each era: 100 years ago, the 1960’s and the present. But the director of WMC, Felica Shaw, has also invited the public to contribute their own messages of what the future might mean to us, what the world would be like with gender equity, inclusion and diversity for all.

You can see the mural at Liberty Station right outside the Museum on the exterior walls of Barracks 16 and there will be short labels on the wall, QR codes give you more info including more in-depth exhibitions. Of course, you can go online where they will share all the public messages and more info and tools, workshops, panels and resources to come.  Future projects include: music, films and fashion so you can explore the sound track, celluloid influences and, icons that led the feminist movement. 

Felicia Shaw

Sue Gonda

Katie Ruiz

detail

detail

Waves of Feminism mural

Iana Quesnell Regional Artist Talk at Lux Art Institute

 

by Patricia Frischer

Iana Quesnell Regional Artist Talk at Lux Art Institute

I strongly encourage everyone to watch the recorded version of this talk by Iana Quesnell if you are interested in a truly dedicated and talented women who sacrifices for her art. We have been following this artist who lives in her truck so that she does not have to cover rent with extra paid work even before her SD Art Prize win.  Not only did this presentation take you through her body of work, but the presentation itself was a work of performance art.

The few screen shots below don’t give you a true idea of the excitement created by an Quesnell who continues to dig deep into her motives in her quest to find meaning for her life. Her show at Lux Art Institute shows a selection of work…not a retrospective, but a part of the journey she is on.
IN STUDIO: Friday, January 15, 2021 through Friday, January 15, 2021
ON EXHIBIT Saturday, January 16, 2021 through Saturday, March 20, 2021

Here are a few sounds bites from the presentation which started with the title “You are what you eat.”

Perception is key. There really is no difference between a yoga practice, an art practice or even boring work a cashier at Trader Joe’s.

In mapping the posture of yoga, she learned to map her whole life.

We need to understand the scrips of our lives and learn if it is possible to change those scrips.

Notice the difference between free will vs conditioning.

Her drawings are grueling to make, but a joy of dedication.  

Her training is in systems analysis. So she loves showing the work as a body and not an individual entity.  

The life style is the work. The work is a performance.

During military service seeing a haystack out the flap of her tent took her right to Monet's painting

Capturing yoga postures in her first classes

Planning notes for a project. Each large drawing has a full size first version. Mistakes are not possible on the final version as the paper cannot be erased 

detail view 

detail view

detail view

View from her living room from her apartment in TJ

Detail view of her stay at the Omni before her SD Art Prize exhibition

DIY easels made from cardboard and buckets with one for her and two for guest who might draw with her on the beach.

Compassionate Youth Concerned with Mental Health Day 2

by Patricia Frischer

You can now view the 90 minute session on Coping with Anxiety and Worries

You can now view the 90 minute session on Overcoming Depression and Hopelessness

You can now view the 90 minute session on Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity
You can now view the 90 minute session on Understanding Autism

The second day of this four part panel discussion covered Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity as well as Understand Autism. Our four of these session had emotional testimonials from young people who although struggling with mental health had all made magnificent process in their lives. The were helped by the wonderful mentors and friends and family who support them. Four Post for Peace were created, one on each theme demonstrating how the visual arts as well as the performing arts played a big part in their lives. 

All the participants cheered the presentations and I know everyone, youths and adults learned something new and something valuable from this experience. 

Compassionate Youth Concerned with Mental Health Zoom Discussions on Sat/Sun Jan 9/10th, 2021  covered 4 topics: Coping with Anxiety and Worries, Overcoming Depression and Hopelessness,  Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity, Understanding Autism each with a 1 1/2 hour session that has been prepared by youth ambassadors, guidance counselors and compassionate lead artists.  Streaming live on Facebook: Compassionate Arts/Posts For Peace and Justice and produced by Compassionate Arts San Diego .   For more info: Kira Corser 510.684.4651.

Overview video

1. Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity - video of Post for Peach and Justice
2. Understanding Autism  - video of Post for Peach and Justice

If you miss these sessions, make sure and keep in touch to view the archived panels. 

 

Here are just a few of the comments from the 2nd day zoom session:

Love the diversity of the presentation, ethnicity, gender equality, representation in media, thank Rev. Carolyn Wilkins

It's time for a change! Lets help one another and be an advocate to shape the world in a better place!!

I am deeply moved by all of your work today.

Thank you, Rev. Carolyn. You summarized some of the deepest wounds and greatest hope for our nation and communities. I commit with you!

Learn one thing per day….beautiful

What a beautiful gift he bestowed on you, Camille. Thank you for sharing with us here today and through your art. These are stories we need to hear and protect and use to build a better society. Your vulnerability, wisdom, and creativity for the posts are much appreciated 

Might this period of global lockdowns be an opportunity for youth of different countries to connect, develop bonds and create a more compassionate world? Is this happening? Or how might we encourage this to happen?.

Inclusive practices require us to think differently about how we work with each other and what values each person brings into our world.

There is no "perfect" there's only the perfect original!

Madison, your are a brave and powerful person. Thank you for your courage. You taught me many new things about autism.

The education system needs a lot of reforming!!

Don't compare yourself to others! Your talents, gifts, and skills are your personal gifts designed for you to share with the others. Your gifts are unique.

Learning that our potential knows no bounds is what we need to be encouraging

Madison I loved teaching you Native flute lessons because of how creative you are, how willing you were to think outside the box. You do have the makings of a musical composer.

Everybody’s ingredients in their recipe for success is different.

Temple Grandin https://www.templegrandin.com/  

The more we focus on what feels good and what our strengths are, the more we feel better, more confident, that builds momentum we feel more confident and less affected by the other stuff.

Everybody isn't meant to be the same. We all have beautiful and different gifts to offer to the world!!!

Normal is boring! ....this is how the light gets in and we shine! :)

Colorful personalities makes up the rainbow that is who we are.

You never know what one positive deed can do for someone that is having a terrible day! Be compassionate and understanding. We all can co-exist!!

You all are strong, talented creative, and phenomenal. I hope everyone continues to reach for the stars. I wish nothing but success in each one of your paths!! Thank you!!

Compassionate Youth Concerned with Mental Health Day 1

 by Patricia Frischer

You can now view the 90 minute session on Coping with Anxiety and Worries

You can now view the 90 minute session on Overcoming Depression and Hopelessness

You can now view the 90 minute session on Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity
You can now view the 90 minute session on Understanding Autism

Saturday's discussions on Coping with Anxiety and Worries and Overcoming Depression and Helplessness was fantastic and so interesting with lots of positive feedback from participants! The panel was simply saturated with color and good ideas!

Compassionate Youth Concerned with Mental Health Zoom Discussions on Sat/Sun Jan 9/10th, 2021 which will cover 4 topics: Coping with Anxiety and Worries, Overcoming Depression and Hopelessness,  Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity, Understanding Autism each with a 1 1/2 hour session that has been prepared by youth ambassadors, guidance counselors and compassionate lead artists.  Streaming live on Facebook: Compassionate Arts/Posts For Peace and Justice and produced by Compassionate Arts San Diego .   For more info: Kira Corser 510.684.4651.

Video Summary

1. Coping with Anxiety and Worries - video on the Post for Peace and Justice 
2. Overcoming Depression and Loneliness - video on the Post for Peace and Justice 

If you miss these sessions, make sure and keep in touch to view the archived panels. 

Here are just a few of the comments:

Embodied practices like mindful movement (yoga), dance, any exercise that feels good in the body also is key to build awareness, resilience and process emotional content

 “The less we talk about it, the worst we feel about it” so lets talk about it (mental health)

For anyone in crisis and needing to talk Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor which is Free 24/7 support at your fingertips

Dr. Janina that was powerful, Wonderful insight, everyone needs to be their own Super Hero!

Just as moving the second time I heard this, so please make sure and pass this on to your friends as soon as it is archived.

Dr. Scarlet, your presentation was deeply in touch with the current reality of our youth

From Auntie Fe Love, Compassionate Arts in Action Please reach out if you want to become more involved at http://compassionatearts.net  and want to share the Posts created for the mental health fair

Art puts you in the moment and in the “flow”

I hope all of the youth on this Zoom know that many , many adults have struggled their whole lives with anxiety and depression. This is helping us too! thank you so much everyone for sharing your vulnerability and brilliance. so many gifts from all this today.

Daniela — you make me think about the kinds of activities I do in my life that can support or inhibit good health and well-being. Thank you! I’ve never thought of photography in that way.

Thank you all for contributing and creating this safe, creative and resourceful space in the community.

Creativity gives us access to who we are…Even if you can’t draw or not a musician, doodling to music is fun

Painting, acting, dancing, singing are all in the present moment. You can practice being in the present moment thru mindfulness too’

When Black and Brown go Green. You can join us

#WhenBlackandBrownGoGreen check-ins and strategy meeting Every Thursdays 7pm (PST)- 9pm(PST) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87004381925?pwd=SllVZVF1NW5kYzR0TmdJb1dGU3phQT09

 It’s such a powerful message that “everyone has some form of anxiety” that is so true and it’s important for individuals to know this. great job!

The world continues to change at an accelerated rate and there is so much uncertainty that fuels anxiety.

I would like to add cultivating a sense of gratitude, and purpose as an inner motivator, creating meaning and a strong connection with being alive, seen, heard, validated. Everybody can find the gifts to develop and offer.

Reconnecting to nature through wilderness backpacking helped me foster that sense of inner meaning and a strong connection with being alive and seen

If you don't know what to say, just say that—and tell your friend that you are there for them. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-say-when-someone-is-depressed-1067474

Brighten Your Nights with Holiday Light Art

BOTANIC WONDERLAND, Quail Gardens Drive, photo courtesy SDGB

By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt. Photos by Maurice Hewitt 

I don’t know about the rest of you, but it’s been hard for me to get my ho-ho-ho on this holiday season. So I really appreciate the folks who have been brightening our nights with their lighthearted Christmas displays. 

Here’s some of what my husband and I saw on an early-evening drive-by around our Encinitas neighborhood. There’s probably light art in your neighborhood too; just ask friends for recommendations or check online. This year, it’s best to stay in your car, taking in the sights slowly and safely, though we did notice a few families standing quietly on the sidewalk, admiring the artistry for awhile. If you plan to do that, wear a mask. And wherever you go for enlightenment, here’s wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Village Run West & East, off Gardendale Road, Encinitas.

Plenty of inventive displays to be found on this circling street! Here are two of our favorites—a block apart—on Village Run. The Nativity scene is just part of a large-scale installation, and what you see as two different views of a House of Blue Lights is in fact a constantly changing program of colors, patterns and tempos, so you may have to hang out and wait for the Blues. For musical accompaniment, tune your car radio to 88.3.

Gitano Street, off Chapalita Drive, Encinitas.

There’s a grand show of light art and community spirit on Gitano, with strings of colored lights linking imaginatively decorated homes on both sides of the street. Look for the animated dragon, spreading his Christmas wings, and go on to even more lights as you round the corner onto Olmeda Street.

 

BOTANIC WONDERLAND, Quail Gardens Drive.

For a really special evening, combine nature and art on a De-Light-Full stroll through San Diego Botanic Garden. Advance reservations and masks are required, but once you’ve got your tickets and arrive in the Garden, you can stay until closing time. The month-long light-up started December 2, but you can still visit Wonderland from now through December 23 and 26-30, from 5–8:30 p.m. (SDBG is closed December 24 and 25.) Tickets are $7-$18, with reservations available at https://www.sdbgarden.org/botanicwonderland.htm

 

 Photo by Rachel Cobb, Courtesy SDGB

 

Lonnie Burstein Hewitt is an award-winning author/lyricist/playwright who has written about arts and lifestyle for the La Jolla Light and other local media for over a dozen years. You can reach her at hew2@sbcglobal.net 

Kaori Fukuyama Light After Dark at Engage Gallery

 by Patricia Frischer

Kaori Fukuyama

Kaori Fukuyama Light After Dark at Engage Gallery: Walk through and panel discussion 

I was lucky enough to be part of the virtual walk through of Light After Dark with a video presentation about Kaori Fukuyama’s art and the building where the exhibition is housed.  There was a live guided tour where Melissa Walter remoting was able to ask the videographer to show us specific aspects of the exhibition during the walk through but there were 2 other tours with their own "puppeteers.". The panel discussion afterward was a more general discussion about the pandemic because the beginning question from Aaron Martlage from Border UX strategy, design, architecture and development agency, the presenter was, “What is your darkest moment in 2020 and how did that affect your process. The last question, “Where do you personally find the light?” The artists agreed on many of these observations.

Kaori Fukuyama –

•         At the beginning of the pandemic lockdown there was a lovely feeling of freedom with less pressure and no deadlines.
•         Kaori needs solitude to connect to herself. But then a feeling of the prolonged unknown future took over.  She was affected by the negative feelings from lots of hard luck stories she heard.
•         Although she is working more, she is more aware of the need to make meaningful work.
•         Looking at light itself, lights her up.

Melissa Walter -

•         There are no distractions in isolation.
•         She too, questions the role of art and wants to be able to concentrate on her role to promote anti-racism.
•         Connection is a catalyst for ideas, and online talks and art tours have broadened her view.
•         She is looking forward to developing a new language which focuses on the human experience.
•         Birthing something out of nothing gives her great light and joy.  

 Bhavna Mehta –

•         Not being close to those who need us is sobering.
•         Art is a coping mechanism which is a privilege and a burden. On good days it is empowering, but there are lots of bad days.
•        To figure out the future, one needs silence and time. James Baldwin said, “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.”   
•         We must take advantage of what we have experienced but move forward into the light.

 Katie Ruiz –

•         There is lots of loss, from COVID but also from mental health issues as well.
•         In her journals she is noticing how she has reacted to tough times and exploring how art can make others feel better.
•         She was able to finished some long overdue projects, have time to grow, but short-term making masks made her feel useful.   
•         She is lit up by how artists support artists and how much the public supported artist with commissions and purchases.

 Christian Garcia-Olivo – 

•        Although the pandemic causes a huge loss of opportunities it was a reminder of how important art is.
•         There is lots of negative energy but he uses his art to let out those emotions.
•         The challenge is to come to terms with not knowing.
•         One of his goals is to work with a larger community in the future.
•         The moment of discovery is when the light is emitted.

 

Collectors during the Pandemic

by Patricia Frischer

In a set of interviews by Artsy: 19 Collectors on the Art They Bought in 2020 you can get a good cross section from around the world of how art collectors are reacting to the pandemic.

It was heartening to see that this group of collectors is either still collecting, collecting more, or collecting a bit less but investing directly to help artists.

Collectors are doing more virtual studio tours. They are looking outside of their geographical area. They are attending more art fairs as they can see them all instead of having to pick and choose which to attend physically.  They want personal connections.

Staying at home means they have time to look at, re-hang and access their own collections. This is therapeutic for them. They are researching more and filling gaps in their collections.  They are looking at how the artists are reacting to the pandemic…smaller and more introspective works are appreciated. 

As they are continuing to support large institutions, some are particularly supporting programs that support acquisitions by artist in order to help the artist survive. Inclusivity and diversity are terms that are used often when thinking about what donations to make. They are lending works for shows with those types of themes more and more. Some with big hearts and large properties are even opening studio space for artist or programs impacted by the pandemic.