The Asia Society New York Celebrates Japan in Special Season of Programs

This spring, The Asia Society presents Season of Japan, a celebration of Japanese culture held in conjunction with the exhibition Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan, on view at Asia Society Museum in New York from February 9 to May 8, 2016.

With over thirty rare masterpieces from the Kamkura period (1185–1333) from private and museum collections in North America and Europe, “Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan” is the first exhibition to look beyond the aesthetics and technical achievements of these remarkable sculptures, and specifically examine the relationship between realism and the sacred empowerment of these objects. The exhibition explores how sculptures are “brought to life” or “enlivened” by the spiritual connection between exterior form, interior contents, and devotional practice, reflecting the complexity and pluralism of the period. “Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan” marks the first major loan show of Kamakura sculpture in the United States in more than thirty years.

Head of a Guardian King. Kamakura period, 13th century. Polychromed Japanese cypress (hinoki) with lacquer on cloth, inlaid crystal eyes and filigree metal crown. H. 22 1/16 x W. 10 1/4 x D. 13 15/16 in. (56 x 26 x 35.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alastair B. Martin, the Guennol Collection, 86.21. Courtesy of Brooklyn Museum.

The exhibition also coincides with the 60th anniversary year of Asia Society, which was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd. The Museum is known for its Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection of traditional Asian artworks, which was formed in earnest after the establishment of Asia Society in 1956. With the guidance of the noted scholar of Asian art Sherman Lee, John D. Rockefeller 3rd and Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller chose classical masterpieces of Asian art rather than building a historical survey. Although the collection comprises approximately 300 objects, it is nevertheless regarded as one of the most notable collections of Asian art in the United States. It includes objects from diverse nations such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam that date from the eleventh century BCE to the nineteenth century CE. It has particular strengths in Chinese ceramics of the Song and Ming periods, Chola-period Indian bronzes, and Southeast Asian sculptures.

Kōshun (active 1315–1328). The Shinto Deity Hachiman in the Guise of a Buddhist Monk. Kamakura period, dated 1328. Polychromed Japanese cypress (hinoki) with inlaid crystal eyes. H. 32 x W. 36 3/4 x D. 24 in. (81.3 x 93.3 x 61 cm). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Maria Antoinette Evans Fund and Contributions, 36.413. Photograph © 2016 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The collection was a promised gift to the Society and served as a primary impetus for the building of the Society’s headquarters at 725 Park Avenue, which opened to the public in 1981. The artworks were given to Asia Society upon the death of Mr. Rockefeller in 1978, and the collection now encompasses the original gift plus a number of objects bequeathed from the estate of Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller and subsequent acquisitions.

Zaō Gongen. Kamakura period, 13th century. Iron. H. 12 1/2 x W. 6 1/2 x D. 3 3/4 in. (31.8 x 16.5 x 9.5 cm). John C. Weber Collection. Photo: John Bigelow Taylor

In the early 1990s, Asia Society Museum became one of the first American museums to establish a program of contemporary Asian art. A recognized leader in identifying and fostering contemporary Asian and Asian American artists, the Museum announced the establishment of a Contemporary Art Collection in 2007, launched with a gift of twenty-eight works of video and new media art. The collection aims to represent the rapidly evolving field of contemporary art across Asia. The first phase of the collecting program is focused on video, animation, and new media works of art. In addition, Asia Society Museum was the first U.S. museum to organize solo shows of the now widely recognized artists Montien Boonma, Cai Guo-Qiang, Dinh Q. Lê, Yuken Teruya, Lin Tianmiao, and Zhang Huan.

“John D. Rockefeller 3rd’s first trip to Asia was to Japan, and he, like countless others, fell in love with the country. Later in life, he and his wife came to see Japan as a second home,” said Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society. “It is fitting that in the year of our 60th anniversary, Asia Society is celebrating Japan and its dynamic culture.”

Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan is made possible by the generous support of The National Endowment for the Arts. Major support for this exhibition is also provided by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation, Etsuko O. Morris and John H. Morris Jr. Other generous underwriters includes The Kitano Hotel New York, the Japan Foundation, The Blakemore Foundation, Peggy and Richard Danziger, Japanese Art Dealers Association, Helen Little, Toshiba International Foundation, John C. Weber, and the Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation. Additional support is provided by Sebastian Izzard, Leighton R. Longhi, Joan B. Mirviss, and Erik Thomsen.

Following is a list of confirmed programs and events. All events, unless indicated, take place at Asia Society in New York, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street). Find out more about upcoming programs, including information about registration and ticket purchase, at AsiaSociety.org/SeasonofJapan.

POLICY DISCUSSION
Japan’s New Security Posture: Implications for Asia and the World
Wednesday, February 3 • 8:00-10:00am

Discussion with Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama and Asia Society Policy Institute President Kevin Rudd about Japan’s role as a regional and global security provider.

LECTURE
Members-Only Exhibition Opening Lecture
Tuesday, February 9 • 6:30-7:30pm

Guest curator Ive Covaci gives members an inside look at Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan. Covaci is a lecturer in Art History at Fairfield University.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON OF JAPAN
Leo Bar Happy Hour
Friday, February 12 • 6:00-9:00pm

A night of fun and culture at a Japanese-themed happy hour. Free museum tours of Kamakura: Realism and Spirituality in the Sculpture of Japan, music, specialty cocktails, shopping at AsiaStore, and origami demonstrations.

SYMPOSIUM
Keynote address and exhibition viewing at Asia Society
Friday, February 26 • 6:30-9:00pm

Interdisciplinary symposium (held at Columbia University)
Saturday, February 26-27 • All day

This interdisciplinary symposium will gather leading scholars of Kamakura period art, religion, and literature. On the eve of the symposium, Mimi Yiengpruksawan of Yale University will deliver a keynote address at Asia Society.

PERFORMANCE
Theater Japan / NOH and KYOGEN
Sunday, February 28 • 6:30-8:00pm

A rare opportunity to experience traditional Japanese theater in New York. Master performers of Noh and Kyogen will explain the form’s essentials: the stage, dance, music, costume, masks, and props. The evening includes a talk (in Japanese with English translation), a demonstration by the artists, and Q&A. Presented in conjunction with An Evening of Japanese Traditional Theatre, taking place on March 1 at Carnegie Hall.

FILM
Of Ghosts, Samurai and War: Classic Japanese Film
March 4-19

Japanese cinema has produced some of the most admired films that continue to enrich the world cinema discourse. The Asia Society and the Japan Foundation will screen rare 35mm prints of masterpieces by such greats as Akira Kurosawa, Kenji Mizoguchi, and Kaneto Shindo from the Foundation’s Film Library.

Friday, March 4

Rashomon (1950) 88 min. B&W
Directed by Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshiro Mifune, Machiko Kyo and Masayuki Mori.

Saturday, March 5

The New Tale of the Taira Clan (1955) 108 min. Color
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, starring Raizo Ichikawa and Yoshiko Kuga.

Sunday, March 6

Kwaidan (1965) 183 min. Color
Directed by Masaki Kobayashi, music by Toru Takamitsu, starring Katsuo Nakamura, Keiko Kishi, Michiyo Aratama and Rentaro Mikuni.
Friday, March 11

Ugetsu (1953) 97 min. B&W
Directed by Kenji Mizoguchi, starring Machiko Kyo, Kinuyo Tanaka and Masayuki Mori.
Sunday, March 13

Miyamoto Musashi (1961) 110 min. Color
Directed by Tomu Uchida, starring Kinnosuke Nakamura and Michiyo Kogure.
Friday, March 18

Brave Records of the Sanada Clan (1963) 90 min. Color
Directed by Tai Kato, starring Kinnosuke Yorozuya and Misako Watanabe.
Saturday, March 19

Onibaba (1964) 103 min. B&W
Directed by Kaneto Shindo, starring Nobuko Otowa and Jitsuko Yoshimura.

“Headed To The White House” Takes Visitors From The Campaign Trail To Inauguration Day

Timed To Coincide With The 2016 Election Year, Headed to the White House Is Uniquely Created To Engage Students, Teachers, And Families With The Election Season

On Friday, February 12, 2016, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will open Headed to the White House (February 12 – November 13, 2016), a timely new exhibit designed to engage students, families and visitors of all ages with the presidential election season. Headed to the White House was created by the National Constitution Center and uses artifacts, interactives, multimedia, and role playing opportunities to guide visitors along the campaign trail and into the Oval Office.

The National Constitution Center ( located at 525 Arch Street on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall) in Philadelphia inspires active citizenship as the only place where people across America and around the world can come together to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its Congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a non-partisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a center for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire, excite, and engage citizens about the U.S. Constitution.

The exhibit is timed to coincide with the 2016 presidential election and the National Democratic Convention taking place this July in Philadelphia.

“Every four years, Americans come together to debate the meaning of the Constitution and to elect the president of the United States,” said National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen. “In this engaging exhibit, visitors can educate themselves about the history of presidential campaigns and the constitutional values that unite us in the electoral process.“

The Headed to the White House journey begins with Election History. Three historic elections – Martin Van Buren and William Henry Harrison in 1840, Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover in 1932, and Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey in 1968 – provide the framework for visitors to explore how presidential elections have changed, and still yet have remained the same, for over 200 years. Highlights include fun presidential facts and an introduction to how constitutional amendments have influenced the election process.

In Join the Race, visitors officially launch their campaigns and begin to discover if they are “presidential material.” Highlights include an interactive speech coach and a “craft your own campaign message” activity. National conventions then take center stage in Earn the Nomination. Visitors enter the floor of a convention featuring all 50 states to uncover the primary election and caucus process for winning a major party nomination. Highlights include a campaign manager interactive where visitors make the decisions to try to win a primary election, a “campaign worker chart” exploring who’s who on a candidate’s staff, historic footage from Democratic and Republican national conventions, and a “create your own campaign sticker” craft activity.

With the nomination secured, it is a sprint to Election Day in Win the Election. This section focuses on the general election, the Electoral College, debates, campaign finance, and of course, advertising. Here, visitors can “meet the masses” to practice their presidential handshake and create their own campaign commercials with the Center’s “Ad-o-Matic” interactive. Through a continued focus on the constitutional amendments, visitors also learn about voting rights and how the methods we use to vote have changed over time, culminating in a special election where visitors of all ages can vote for America’s best historic president.

The exhibit tour concludes on a celebratory note in Take the Oath. Here, visitors can discover what next steps lay ahead for the newly elected president, learn about the powers and duties of the president and what it is like to live in the White House, and enjoy a photo opportunity behind the desk in the Oval Office.

To complement the Headed to the White House experience, the Center will offer a wide variety of museum visitor programming, including an exciting new quiz show, “270 or Bust“, in which visitors compete to win electoral votes by answering election-themed trivia questions. “270 or Bust” and other visitor programming are included with admission.

In addition, the Center has designed presidential election themed packages for groups and will offer exhibit tours led by members if the museum’s education staff. The themed packages and educator-led tours are available with advanced reservations.

The National Constitution Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Ticket Information: Adults $13.00; Children (4-12) $8.00 through March 31 with the Winter Warm Up sale. After March 31, 2016 Adults $17.50; Children (4-12) $11.00 and Free for Members. Includes general admission to the National Constitution Center (For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.)

Classic Car Culture Comes to Vibrant Life with Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975, at The Frist Center for the Visual Arts

The upcoming exhibition, Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975 (May 27–October 9, 2016), at Nashville’s The Frist Center for the Visual Arts celebrates the visual dynamism and spirit of innovation characterizing Italian coachbuilt cars, concept cars and motorcycles produced during the post–World War II economic revival. Returning to the Frist Center after the 2013 presentation of Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles, automotive authority and guest curator Ken Gross has chosen 19 automobiles and 3 motorcycles from private collections and museums that are among the finest examples of Italian automotive design, including vehicles by Alfa Romeo, Bizzarrini, Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maserati. With the ultra-rare Alfa Romeo BAT models 5, 7 and 9 from the 1950s and a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, this all-star assembly offers surprises for even the most knowledgeable car aficionados. These powerful and extraordinary cars exemplify the sexy and streamlined Italian design language that propelled Italy to the forefront of automotive design internationally. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated scholarly catalogue published by Rizzoli.

After World War II, Italian automobile designers began to create sleek, low-slung berlinettas (coupes) that would win postwar races and inspire a legion of stunning road-going cars. New companies like Cisitalia and Ferrari used the resumption of auto racing as a platform to begin producing stylish cars that soon caught the attention of wealthy glitterati, movie stars, and influential industrialists. These clients relished the idea of exclusive, often bespoke automobiles, with powerful engines and advanced styling. Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati, and smaller Italian carmakers soon followed suit; with Ferruccio Lamborghini creating a grand touring Berlinetta that would rival Ferrari’s.

1950 Cisitalia 202 SC. Collection of the Revs Institute for Automotive Research. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

With their startling, often sensual designs, Italian cars from the mid-century had an immense influence on the automotive industry around the world. The successful racing efforts of Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo ensured that Italian automakers dominated international competition. Lessons from racing were applied to the design of road cars and Italy’s auto industry helped lead an international styling renaissance. In 1954, Road & Track declared, “The Italian influence leads the automotive design world. It remains consistent, commanding, spirited and graceful.”

1952 Lancia B52 Aurelia Spyder PF200. Collection of Linda and Bill Pope. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

Coach builders worked with carmakers in Italy as well as those in countries like England and Spain. In the United States, Italians designed and built bodies for production cars like Nash, Hudson and even Cadillac. Chrysler hired Italian designers to build a series of dramatically modern concept cars, including Firebirds and Firearrows. Their so-called “Forward Look” styling intrigued American buyers and influenced many later production models.

1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Zagato. Collection of David Sydorick. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

1961 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Pininfarina Series II Aerodinamico. Collection of Bernard and Joan Carl. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Collection of Bernard and Joan Carl. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

1963 Chrysler Turbine Car. Collection of FCA. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

Bellissima! The Italian Automotive Renaissance, 1945–1975 is broken into five distinct themes: Berlinettas, Aerodynamics, Advanced Mid-engine Cars, Wedge-Shaped Automobiles and Custom Coachwork Designs for Italian and American Automakers. And, in turn, each section showcases some of the best automobiles and handcrafted machinery ever to hit the road.

1953 Fiat Supersonic 8V. Collection of Paul Gould. Image © 2016 Peter Harholdt

1955 Lincoln Indianapolis Boano. Collection of James E. Petersen, Jr. Photograph © 2016 Michael Furman

Berlinettas: 1950 Cisitalia 202 SC, 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic, 1956 Maserati A6G 2000 Zagato, and a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO

Travel: The San Francisco Travel Association Presents “What’s Coming to San Francisco in 2016”

If you are visiting San Francisco, what should you see, eat, enoy while you are in the City by the Bay? Never fear, the San Francisco Travel Association has all the answers. A Destination Marketing Organization providing expertise not only on San Francisco, but the entire Bay Area and with more than 30,000 hotel rooms and various convention facilities, San Francisco Travel works directly with meeting planners to book meeting space and hotel rooms, assists in referring venues and banquet facilities, provides promotional materials and marketing support. All services are complimentary. For 2016, the calendar is packed with events and happenings you should not miss if you are visitor or a resident.

San Francisco Arts Commission Opens New Main Gallery in War Memorial Veteran’s Building – Jan. 22, 2016

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Galleries will celebrate the opening of a new and greatly expanded 3,000 sq. ft. gallery space in the historic War Memorial Veterans Building with the inaugural group exhibition, Bring it Home: (Re)Locating Cultural Legacy through the Body, curated by SFAC Galleries Director Meg Shiffler and independent curator Kevin B. Chen. The new Main Gallery located on the ground floor of the War memorial Veterans Building.
http://www.sfartscommission.org

The Bay Lights by Leo Villareal. Photo Credit: Leo Villareal

The Bay Lights – Jan. 30, 2016

One of San Francisco’s most beloved art installations becomes a permanent fixture in the new year. The Bay Lights, Leo Villareal’s monumental light sculpture comprised of 25,000 LED lights, will add shine and sparkle to the western span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge from dusk to dawn, year-round. The return of The Bay Lights is in large thanks to the generosity of private donors, Illuminate the Arts and the State of California.
https://thebaylights.org

Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives Opens – Jan. 31, 2016

Visitors will experience innovative art exhibitions, film screenings and live performances in a cutting-edge building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu

Super Bowl 50 – Feb. 7, 2016

It’s the end of the NFL season and the most-watched sporting event in the nation. On Feb. 7, 2016, Levi’s Stadium will host Super Bowl 50. The game itself will be in Santa Clara, but all the action and celebration will be in San Francisco starting Jan. 30, 2016. From Super Bowl City at Justin Herman Plaza to the NFL Experience at Moscone Center, San Francisco will be the center of Super Bowl activity.  http://www.sfbaysuperbowl.com

Oscar de la Renta Retrospective – March 12-May 30, 2016

The world premiere retrospective of Oscar de la Renta’s work celebrates the life and career of one of fashion’s most influential designers. The exhibition, curated by André Leon Talley, will include more than 100 ensembles produced over five decades, and is presented in collaboration with the house of de la Renta and the designer’s family.  http://deyoung.famsf.org

Counter Pulse, Opens in a New Location – March 12, 2016

After 24 years at 1310 Misson St., CounterPulse, an incubator for grassroots culture and a stage for intrepid art, launched its inaugural season in November. The season culminates March 19, 2016 with their Grand Opening Celebration at the new location, 80 Turk St. Experience a packed season of gutsy, experimental performance from the Bay Area and around the globe.  http://counterpulse.org/new-home/

Minnesota Street Project Opens – March 16, 2016

Minnesota Street Project will offer affordable space for art galleries, artists and related nonprofits and retail, as well as a location in the heart of the historic Dogpatch district to put down roots and build a dynamic arts hub. Phase 1 of Minnesota Street Project will open March of 2016 at 1275 Minnesota St. in the city’s Dogpatch Neighborhood. While the first building is under construction, Minnesota Street Project will present rotating visual arts exhibits three blocks away at 2291 Third St., which will serve as Minnesota Street Project’s temporary headquarters.
http://www.minnesotastreetproject.com

Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution – March 17-July 5, 2016

The first comprehensive retrospective about the life and career of legendary rock impresario Bill Graham (1931–1991) comes to the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Recognized as one of the most influential concert promoters in history, Graham launched the careers of countless rock and roll legends in the 1960s at his famed Fillmore Auditorium. He conceived of rock and roll as a powerful force for supporting humanitarian causes and was instrumental in the production of milestone benefit concerts such as Live Aid (1985) and Human Rights Now! (1988). As a promoter and manager, he worked with the biggest names in rock, including the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones.  http://www.thecjm.org

Contemporary Jewish Museum. Located in downtown San Francisco, the Contemporary Jewish Museum presents dynamic exhibitions and educational programs, exploring contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history and ideas. San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis

SF Giants 2012 World Series Parade. San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis

San Francisco Giants – April 7, 2016

It’s an even-numbered year; could another World Series title be in store for San Francisco’s beloved Giants? Find out when the season gets started with the home opener at AT&T Park against the dreaded Dodgers.
http://www.sfgiants.com

In this view from Yerba Buena Gardens the facade of the Mario Botta-designed San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is in foreground; landmark Pacific Bell building rises in background. San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis

The New SFMOMA – May 14, 2016

A major expansion is underway at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), which has embodied bold vision and innovation from its founding in 1935. With more than 30,000 works, the SFMOMA collection is internationally recognized and continues to grow. In spring 2016, SFMOMA will reopen with nearly three times the previous capacity for the presentation of art. The approximately 235,000-square-foot expansion will seamlessly join the existing building. One of the catalysts for the expansion is the addition of the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, one of the greatest private collections of contemporary art in the world. The new Pritzker Center for Photography will be the largest space in an American art museum dedicated to photography. The new outdoor sculpture terrace will include the biggest public living wall of native plants in San Francisco, with 16,000 native plants in a vertical garden. Nearly 15,000 square feet of art-filled free-access public space will more than double SFMOMA’s current capacity. The public galleries will open one hour prior to the museums and admission for those ages 18 and under will always be free.
http://www.sfmoma.org

Zappos Bay to Breakers – May 15, 2016

What was once a goofy local footrace has grown into a major international competition. In the Bay to Breakers race, runners traverse the city from the Financial District to Ocean Beach, passing through a number of San Francisco’s many neighborhoods. Floats may be forbidden, but you’re bound to still find some creative costumes on the route.
http://www.zapposbaytobreakers.com

Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen – May 27–Sept. 5, 2016

The first North American traveling exhibition of Strandbeests—giant, wind-powered, kinetic creatures by celebrated Dutch artist Theo Jansen—will be on view at the Exploratorium from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends in 2016. Jansen’s mesmerizing lifelike figures move as familiar, yet otherworldly beings, blurring the lines between machine and animal, art and science, sculpture and performance. The exhibition will feature Jansen’s most recently realized creations; a “fossil” hall revealing the evolution of his iterative process and artistic ingenuity; videos featuring the charismatic Jansen speaking about his 25 year endeavor; artist’s sketches; and compelling, large-scale images by renowned photographer Lena Herzog.
http://www.exploratorium.edu

Sites Unseen Developing the Alleys of Yerba Buena – Spring 2016

Sites Unseen, a new public art initiative, will activate seven alleyways in the downtown Yerba Buena neighborhood with dynamic installations of permanent and temporary artworks, performances, screenings and other events.
http://sitesunseen.org/

Living Innovation Zones “Block by Block” – Spring 2016

On Sept. 30, 2015, City leaders and non-profit and arts communities came together to “flip the switch” on Light up Central Market, a series of six interactive art projects including Block by Block, the latest Living Innovation Zone (LIZ). Also debuting that evening was the Central Market Showcase, a selection of prototypes that inspired connection and will serve their communities during the Market Street Prototyping Festival. http://www.sfliz.com/

Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei at the Asian Art Museum – June 17-Sept. 18, 2016: Meat-shaped stone (detail), approx. 1800–1900. China, Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Stone: jasper; stand: gold. National Palace Museum, Taipei, Guza 000178 Lü-413. Photograph © National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei at the Asian Art Museum – June 17-Sept. 18, 2016

Feast your eyes on a rare presentation of more than 150 imperial artworks, many of which are making their U.S. debut, from the National Palace Museum, Taipei. Thirty extremely rare masterpieces, some created by the emperors themselves will be on view who reigned from the early 12th through early 20 centuries. The exhibition will feature paintings, calligraphy, bronze vessels, ceramics, lacquerware, jades, textiles, enamelware and documents. See them all at the Asian Art Museum.  http://www.asianart.org

Opened in 1966 as part of the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park, the Asian Art Museum moved to the former Main Library building in 2003. San Francisco Travel Association/Scott Chernis