"Asian American" In Context

2008-08-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

I went to a portfolio review this weekend to show my work for this project at a gallery. It was the most motivating experience! It's the first time I presented the project to individuals who are not my parents or my closest friends (or strangers across the country who are curators at some museum). I received honest, constructive and encouraging feedback. I've also learned a bit about formatting for book publishing, the importance in the way I present my work and other things I should be thinking about as an artist. Marina and Bob are great!!!! On my way home, I created a list of things I can/should do.

2008-06-01T11:03:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I worked on this project or posted any updates about it. However, it's been on my mind quite a bit. Cultural identity is quite an interesting thing. As I've been traveling abroad between the fall of last year to now and for longer durations, I see the link between our origins and our cultural identities applicable to other communities. Take ex-patriots. Communities of ex-patriots are bonded by the similarities of origins, by a recognition that they, collectively, come from different experiences than the locals. Any source of similarity is like a border with two sides - you either feel comforted by it because you feel so comfortable within it or you try to get as far away from it to differentiate yourself. In that sense, being Asian American is being away from and tied to this border at the same time.

2007-06-26T17:43:00.000-07:00

I've hit the 50% milestone today!!! That means I've completed the quotes for 50% of the people I've interviewed. I have been transitioning between jobs and have taken the extra time to work furiously every day on going through the interviews and selecting the quotes. I've also been getting wonderful feedback from people - who like the quotes just as much as I do and their portraits too.

During the past 6 months, I've updated my submission materials for exhibit proposals and have researched on additional places to send proposals to. Now that I'm at the 50% completion, I'm going to start sending exhibit proposals again. It feels good to be making progress, even if measured only by the number of interviews I've completed.

As for the exhibit proposals I sent out last year, 4 museums have responded and kindly declined.....

Well, hopefully, I'll have some good news before the end of the year.

2006-12-04T20:30:00.000-08:00

I feel great today! I mailed out packages to 6 different musuems:

San Jose Museum of Art
Chinese American Museum (LA)
Getty Center (LA)
Japanese American National Museum (LA)
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Museum of Contemporary Photographer (IL)

I forgot to give the packages some extra blessing with my superhero stamps but I feel pretty good about them anyway! :P

2006-11-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

The next phase of the project is going to require a lot more writing, real writing - not blogging, not emails. It's not my strongest point and it definitely requires much more effort for me to focus doing. Good news is....I've completed on the first draft of an exhibit proposal! I've started on my artist statement! I've made 6 packages of layouts ready to be sent to various places on my list!

2006-11-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

Well! A little update since my last post. Actually, quite a number of updates!

The drive up to Fredonia, NY on Oct 30th to meet with Aimee was crazy. It took about 8.5 hrs from NYC. Portions of the drive were met with sleet, rain, snow on a highway lit just by the headlights on my car. Seriously, I thought the road was never to end! It was all worth it though. The meeting with Aimee was wonderful and she gave me some wonderful thoughts on finding exhibit space and funding (which I haven't followed up on but I really need to).

The week after the trip I met up with Nick to photograph him and his kids for his portrait. We met up at the Play Space at Woodbridge mall. I was a little concerned about getting a good shot when I was on the way there but it worked out beautifully. His kids are beautiful and they loved the camera, which made it so much easier. As I was chatting with Nick, I found out more amazing things about him that I wish I had on tape for the interview. His talents and drive is just really amazing!

Tonight I completed the first draft of the exhibit proposal. Although I've sent a couple out before, this proposal is more formally structured. I'll let it sink in and read it a couple more times over before I send the next wave of exhibit proposal packages out.

2006-10-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's October already. There's so much to do and it's already been a year since I started this project. I have to finish writing my artist statement, do research on museums and galleries that might be interested in housing this body of work, get sample layouts done and printed so I can apply to these museums and galleries, find grants! I hope I can find at least one place to show this body of work in 2008. The places that I've contacted so far are already booked for the entire year of 2007. And then there's catching up with people whom I'm already interviewed but haven't photographed. I'm meeting with Nick tomorrow for his portrait and we interviewed back in March! I'm looking forward to his portrait though. I'm photographing him with his two bi-racial kids. I can't wait to meet them. Maybe I should bring them toys. Maybe not. I don't even know what kids like.

2006-09-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

First interview in LA: I had a great interview today with an awesome yonsei Japanese American! Jeff squeezed me into his day en route to the airport to catch a flight to New York. One thing that really struck me during the interview was Jeff's comment about assimulating without over integrating. Immigrants and first generations obviously have a need to assimulate but what does it mean for Asian Americans to "over integrate"?

Earlier this evening, I met up with Saki, with whom I interviewed in CT. We met in Palos Verdes at a gulf course facing the Pacific Ocean. The view there was absolutely amazing! We had a great shoot. I'm debating doing something more abstract with Saki's portrait, a collage based on what she said in her interview, or using the portrait we shot today as is. Hmmm...we'll see.

2006-09-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am in San Francisco. The first part of my West Coast trip. It's beautiful out here. I got up early (partly from my jetlag) and took a walk around Union Square. There was an artist fair at the square and artists were setting up. I love the creative vibe in the air. My first day though turned out slightly less than what I would call successful. When I got to the apt of the first person I was scheduled to meet, I was concerned that no one was answering the bell. Realizing that I didn't write down her phone number, I rushed to an internet cafe nearby to check for her number on an old email. (Really, thank goodness for internet cafes!) When I reached someone on the other end of the line, a sleepy voice answered, "JuAnne, who?" Well, as it turned out, because I hadn't confirmed on the meeting at her apt (and she gave me her address too), she simply thought we weren't meeting at all. Right, after I sent numerous emails to confirm her availability before I booked my flight and after I booked my flight, I really didn't care to meet. Right. To be honest, it was my oversight for not confirming the meeting location. So, I really shouldn't be complaining. Well, hope the rest of my West Coast trip goes better.

2006-09-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

A shout out to my friend, Patricia Eng! She's found me 2, maybe 3 more people to interview during my West Coast trip. Hopefully, the schedules will work out. I think scheduling time with people has been one of the biggest challenge with this project. Most people have been very very accomodating, fitting me into their busy schedules. Some people are so busy, I was rescheduled 3 or 4 times. After awhile, I feel like a pest. But hey, I'm getting that quote! Or that portrait!

2006-09-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

Ok! I've made all my reservations for the upcoming West Coast trip to SF and LA. I have spoken with several people during the summer and have interviews set up. I'm still disappointed that not more Asian Americans from either SF or LA have shown interest in participating. I'm still working on finding a few more people to interview though. Very excited about this trip! I'll be meeting with 2 Chinese Americans in the SF area. In LA, I'll be meeting with 1 Chinese American, 2 Japanese Americans and possibly one Indian American.

2006-09-06T19:48:00.000-07:00

What would make this project successful? It would mean a lot to me if a quote, a story or a profile from this project spoke to someone who saw it. If someone is able to take away an understanding or not feel so alone knowing that another person shared the same experience. Or if it inspired another person to not be afraid to work against the stereotype because someone else has successfully done so. That, to me, would make this project successful.

2006-08-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Why are you doing this? People have asked me and a different reason comes to my head everytime. I have a cousin in Hong Kong who is my age and we were like sisters before I moved to the States. When I made a trip to Hong Kong two years ago, I hung out with my cousin and wondered who I would've become if we had switched places and I had stayed in Hong Kong. What is it about growing up in the States that's made me who I am today? What does being Asian American mean? Why is being a doctor, a lawyer or an accountant the only legit career that our parents recognize? I'm an American when I go to China but I always get the question "what are you?" when I'm in New York, so where does that leave me? Do 2nd or 3rd generation Asian Americans have different identity issues from the immigrant or 1st generation Asian American - if any?

I've met so many interesting people and heard so many stories since I started this project. I've heard many interesting stories depicting what it means to be an Asian American and I've met many interesting Asian Americans who have become successful doing what they do best. I wish I had started this journal last October when I started this project but it's never too late!