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Armory Center for the Arts
New Images of Identity
www.armoryarts.org
The Armory is presenting recent explorations of racial identity in work by multicultural artists. A growing number of artists of color have more than one cultural heritage, either ancestors from different parts of the world or even forbears who were Caucasian. As a result, their self-expression through art has become more complex. The images explore the idea of race from more than one culture, using not only personal experiences, but the connections to larger social and political issues to investigate their diverse ethnic backgrounds. The artists included in the exhibition are Layla Ali, Iona Rozeal Brown, Enrique Chagoya, Dihn Q. Le, Yoshua Okon, Lezley Saar, John Trevino, and Kara Walker.
Art Center College of Design
In the Dermisphere
www.williamsongallery.net
In the Dermisphere investigates skin as being central to human identity both as a biological reality- the body’s largest organ- as well as relating it to its deeper cultural and social meanings. Skin serves biological functions such as cushioning, protection and acting as a thermostat, though it also can represent abstract ideas about self identity. The exhibit displays the interplay between the literal and figurative meaning of skin.
Furious Theatre Company
Canned Peaches in Syrup—A World Premiere Play
www.furioustheatre.org
This dark comedy is a new play by acclaimed British playwright Alex Jones, set in a future, post-apocalyptic America where the skin of the earth is dry, barren and waterless due to unchecked global warming. In this story, a bizarre Romeo and Juliet scenario plays itself out at the end of the world. Two groups of nomadic humans have emerged—Cannibals and Vegetarians. Can star-crossed lovers Rog and Julie cross tribal lines? Can Rog’s taste for flesh be suppressed? Can Julie deny her parents’ “meat is murder” mantra? And, who exactly is Bland Bastard? A lone can of peaches in syrup holds their fate—and the fate of all mankind.
The Gamble House
Architecture as the Third Skin
www.gamblehouse.org
The Gamble House is presenting two lectures which explore the idea of Architecture as the Third Skin. The first, by Wayne McAllister, emphasizes show-off architecture, with his work on over-the-top neon and larger-than-life marquees. McAllister has worked on projects ranging from sleek and sexy Las Vegas casinos, to Bob’s Big Boy drive-in hamburger stands.
Christian Witt-Dorring, the brilliant and dynamic expert on Vienna at the turn of the century, will present a curator’s view of the designs of Otto Wagner, Josef Hoffman, and Adolph Loos, architects who set critical prerequisites for European Modernism a hundred years ago. In attempting to reconcile architectural skin and space with its furnishings, these pioneers created a language of design and craft that offered a fresh and provocative view of cultural identity.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Pressed in Time: American Prints 1905 – 1950
www.huntington.org
The Huntington’s exhibit of American prints from the first half of the 20th century is characteristic of a dynamic period in the history of printmaking by major artists including John Sloan, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Paul Landacre, Edward Hopper and Peggy Bacon. Some images make overarching statements about war, the labor movement, poverty and death while others take a more subtle and intimate approach, depicting people in quiet moments of the day. A section exploring themes of desperation and flight associated with the Great Depression include some of the most powerful works on view. These artists produced works that are at once beautiful and technically superb as they are deeply imbued with political and social engagement.
Lineage Dance
Beneath the Skin: An Exploration of Human Qualities
www.lineagedance.org
Lineage Dance, Pasadena’s acclaimed contemporary dance company, brings together dance, visual art, poetry and live music to explore the canvas of our skin, and what lies beneath the surface, based upon The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler. With an artistic onstage painting, dance and visual art combine to create a multi-layered arts experience. As each dance emerges, the dancers’ dynamic, powerful movements reveal the map that covers each of our bodies. Proceeds from the paintings rendered on stage will benefit youth art programs in Pasadena.
NewTown
SKIN!
www.newtownarts.org
www.infranatural.org
NewTown’s SKIN! explores the outer millimeter of the human body; epithelia, epidermis, sweat glands, pores, follicles, nerves and subcutaneous fat; its actual and imagined freight of creases, wrinkles, supple luxuriance’s, scars, and aesthetic adornments through installations, image essays, performances and more by many of our region’s most adventuresome artists. SKIN! delves deep to artistically represent the impact of advertising and commodification on a visual self image.
Skinplant, a live interactive performance by Infranatural (Jenna Didier, Oliver Hess and Marcos Lutyens), reveals the human body as landscape through dimensional tattoos - sculpted synthetic cartilage grown via injection just below the epidermis.
Pacific Asia Museum
Rank and Style: Power Dressing in Imperial China
www.pacificasiamuseum.org
Rank and Style: Power Dressing in Imperial China will investigate the concept of clothing as a “second skin” by presenting robes, textiles, and rank badges worn by Chinese courtiers, officials and priests dating from the 15th century to the 20th century. This exhibition is the first time in the United States selections from the Chris Hall Collection of Hong Kong have been on view. Many of these rare and exquisite works are from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) feature woven or embroidered mythical creatures such as the dragon and phoenix, while others depict rabbits, cranes and tigers. Additional pieces in the exhibition are drawn from the Pacific Asia Museum’s own textile collection.
Pasadena Arts Council
www.pasadenaartscouncil.org
The Pasadena Arts Council is the festival partner responsible for coordinating and facilitating Art & Ideas 2007, including fundraising, community outreach, marketing, publications and special events. The Arts Council is also presenting a Public Conversation Series.
Pasadena City College
The Soldier’s Skin: An Endless Edition
The Anatomy of a Tattoo
Under Our Campus Skin
Humanity’s Multiple Skins
www.pasadena.edu/artgallery
http://underourskin.blogspot.com/
The PCC Art Gallery presents The Soldier's Skin: An Endless Edition, by Mary Beth Heffernan. Close-up photographs of the memorial tattoos of U.S. Marines recently returned from Iraq are presented as stacks of posters, with an invitation for viewers to freely take a copy with them.
Other events include lectures, symposia and live performances: The Anatomy of a Tattoo will examine tattoos from the perspectives of both a scientist and a tattoo artist. Literary scholars including Oliver Mayer, Velina Hasu Houston, Luis Rodriguez and Michael Datcher will discuss skin and race as refracted through the prism of literature. A plastic surgeon speaks on the history and techniques of skin alteration. A group of architects and environmental artists will partake in a moderated discussion of their work related to building "skins" in Pliant Prefab - An Intersection of Disparate Ideas in Architecture. The college's percussion faculty will perform in concert.
On ARTNight, artist Alexander Kritselis will present a site-specific video projection, Humanity's Multiple Skins, in the north-facing windows of the college's administration building.
Pasadena Conservatory of Music
Musical Skin
www.pasadenaconservatory.org
In a serial program, the Pasadena Conservatory of Music emphasizes the connection between skin and music. Body Percussion is a concert of compositions in which the human body is the instrument. Anatomy of an Instrument explores the inner and outer workings of the piano, the violin, the flute and other instruments, culminating in a performance of a signature masterpiece for each instrument. Prepared Surfaces and Beyond investigates the ways in which surfaces of musical instruments can be altered to produce special sounds and effects. Surfaces: Touch and Go is a photographic exhibit that captures the moment of contact between human skin and the surface of a musical instrument.
Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.pasadenacal.com
As a Festival Partner, the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau is an important information and communications resource for festival attendees visiting Pasadena. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is also providing essential support to festival marketing and promotion efforts.
Pasadena Cultural Affairs
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/planning/arts
The Pasadena Cultural Affairs is partnering with the festival by providing civic support to Art & Ideas 2007 through the cross promotion of the festival and Art Weekend (October 12-14).
Pasadena Museum of California Art (PMCA)
Inside Out
www.pmcaonline.org
For Inside Out, artist Susan Silton will tent the museum, wrapping it in a striped vinyl covering similar to that used in fumigation. The stripes are contrasting two opposing purposes, one to conceal the building, but at the same time, draw attention to it. In the museum’s project room, Silton will paper the walls with striped wallpaper and fill the room with striped objects. The duality of the stripe is explored further in her exhibit both in terms of clothing and architecture.
Pasadena Playhouse
RAY CHARLES LIVE! A New Musical
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
The play, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks, weaves together tales from Ray Charles’ past as depicted in his last live recording session. This is the story of how he touched the world- celebrating his musical genius and his identity as a black American living with blindness, and the possibility that racial boundaries may be transcended. Unable to perceive difference in the color of people’s skin without sight, Charles used his music to cross genres and bring together Americans of all races through the unifying emotional power of his art.
Pasadena Public Library @ One Colorado
Skin Deep: Viewing Race, Ethnicity, and Beauty
Question of Identity: What is Race?
Casting Calls: Hollywood and the Ethnic Villain
The Beauty Backlash
www.cityofpasadena.net/library
www.onecolorado.com
Pasadena Public Library Branches
Various Programs
www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/library
The Pasadena Public Library and One Colorado are offering three evenings of documentary films and discussions centered around the perception of identity in the mass media.
In Question of Identity: What is Race? ABC News examines the question through the experience of Wayne Nelson, a high school principal who decided to find out just “how much” of him was genetically “African” after seeing a story about DNA ancestry testing.
Casting Calls: Hollywood and the Ethnic Villain explores the history of film’s ethnic “bad guy,” looking at sociopolitical and economic forces that create, perpetuate, and rehabilitate these characterizations.
The Beauty Backlash addresses Dove brand’s “Real Beauty” marketing campaign and it’s affect on women skeptical of unhealthy or absurd standards of attractiveness. But did the campaign have the widespread impact Dove intended?
The Pasadena Public Library branches will be exploring and interpreting the festival theme through a variety of programs, lectures, demonstrations and hands on activities. Festival programs and activities at the branch libraries include:
Bang Those Skins: Hastings Branch and Lamanda Park Branch
Drumming spans virtually all cultures and times and our hearts beat to the exciting pulse of drums! Marcus T. Miller noted drummer, composer, recording artist, and educator will present a dynamic, fun program that introduces drums and drumming techniques from around the world.
Tattoos-The Art and History: La Pintoresca Branch
Enjoy the story that a tattoo tells and watch demonstrations of how tattoos are created using henna-- no needles. Tattoos often express different views, allegiances and form of artistic/cultural expression. View the video about the L.A. Lakers and their meaningful tattoos. Free henna tattoos will be demonstrated on teens, and free give away removable tattoos will be distributed to children. Play the game, “See if you can guess who has this tattoo?”
Is less ever going to be more? Fashion, Advertising, and the Body: Central Branch, Donald Wright Auditorium
Join Parme Giuntini, Director of Art History at Otis College of Art and Design and co-editor of GARB: A Fashion and Culture Reader as she explores the cultural underpinnings of contemporary fashion advertising and its relationship to the body. What changes as rapidly as style? And nowhere else is the body as important or as pervasive, as manipulated or as seductive, as laden with promises and desire and as impossible to achieve as in fashion advertising.
Face Painting Tips: Santa Catalina Branch
Learn face painting from a professional. Debbie Salcedo, a noted face painter, will demonstrate the art and then give patrons a hands on chance to try their hand at this fun art form.
Cuddly Animal Skins: San Rafael Branch
Pasadena Humane Society will highlight cuddly animal skins and give tips on skin care for pets.
Skin Cancer Information: Linda Vista Branch
A representative of American Cancer Society will speak about cancer in general and skin cancer in particular and will answer all of your questions. Informational pamphlets will be available.
Skin Care Basics: Allendale Branch
Professional esthetician Elizabeth Gamboa will share her knowledge about the importance of developing an ongoing maintenance program in order to keep skin healthy and beautiful. Other topics to be discussed will include how to best protect skin from UV rays, how to prevent acne breakouts and useful tips on what to look for when purchasing skin care products.
Book Skins: Hill Avenue Branch
A simple book-binding workshop gives participants the opportunity to make and design their own book cover. During October, the Hill Avenue Branch will also have a display of artist’s books as well as book and paper-craft information, plus ways to recycle old books into new, fun and useful projects.
Skin, Artistic & Colorful: Villa Parke Branch
Creative decorating of hands workshop with paint using imagination and enthusiasm.
Mehndi Tattooing: Central Branch
A special program about Mehndi, an ancient art of India. Mehndi is beautiful, fun to do, and isn’t permanent -- you can change designs all the time. This program is free and all materials are supplied.
The Secrets of Spectacular Makeup: San Rafael Branch
Learn the tricks of the trade from Ms. Sabounjian, a makeup artist, and fashion consultant for the past eleven years. She was trained in the film/television industry's own Agency, Studio Makeup Artists and was most recently a makeup consultant in Beverly Hills, with Barney's of New York.
The Pasadena Symphony
Sights, Sounds, Scales & Skin
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra
Clazzical Notes
www.pasadenasymphony.org
The Pasadena Symphony is presenting three concert events relating to skin and percussion. Sights, Sounds, Scales & Skin, is an introduction to the creatures with the weirdest and most unusual body parts in the animal kingdom, accompanied by live jazz percussion. This science-and-music safari explores how skin covers and protects us—plus provides man with a source of musical inventiveness. Philip Glass’ Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra which emphasizes the athleticism and power of two timpanists playing fourteen timpani. Concluding the series is Clazzical, a performance that bridges the gap between jazz and classical music, exploring percussion from the improvisational world of jazz to the formal cadences of the symphony.
Shumei Arts Council
Skin Tones
Hide Thunder: Skin Whispers
Eastern Thunder and Wind
www.shumeiarts.org
The Shumei Arts Council is presenting a watercolor portrait exhibit by Mary Heussenstamm in Skin Tones. Heussenstamm was intrigued by the astounding variety of human skin coloration and tones, and has devoted herself to revealing the full-spectrum of humanity’s many hues in her artwork. Mary's husband, George Heussenstamm, will share personal stories describing the artist's experience and insights related to each portrait at the slide presentation.
In two special musical events, Koji Nakamura, one of the world’s finest taiko artists and Marco Leinhard, an internationally acclaimed shakuhachi (Japanese Flute) artist, gathered a team of select musicians especially for Hide Thunder: Skin Whispers, a concert featuring traditional Japanese instruments. In addition, Nakamura playing drums and Leinhard on the shakuhachi, will perform Eastern Thunder and Wind in a children’s concert.
Spitzer Science Center
SkInfrared
www.spitzer.caltech.edu/spitzer
The Spitzer Science Center, known formally as NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope Science Center, is exhibiting SkInfrared at the One Colorado Courtyard—an outdoor, interactive display featuring infrared images of the world and universe we live in. Humans see the world in visible light, can detect color, texture and reflected light, however can only feel infrared light as heat. What might our attitudes toward skin be if our eyes saw infrared instead of visible? SkInfrared explores just how different our world is when viewed in infrared light, using infrared imagery and the physics of light to dissect our perception of skin.
The Theatre @ Boston Court
dark play or stories for boys
www.bostoncourt.org
This theatrical production examines the interplay between the virtual world and the real world, following the character Nick, a teenager trafficking in invented identities online. When he stumbles upon Adam, a teenager yearning for true love, Nick creates a fictional cast of characters to satisfy Adam’s every desire, as well as his own. As their relationship deepens, the lines between the real and the fictional—between actual and virtual emotion—blur, and when their relationship finally transcends the online world into the real one, the consequences are devastating. Meet playwright Carlos Murillo and Director Michael Michetti in Talk Back and discuss Identity and Internet and Skin as a Blank Page in the Illuminations series.
Also presented at Boston Court, Dennis Olanzo Callwood's photography exhibition drawn from his gang and tatto series, as well as Zebulon Projects' Music @ The Court and an evening of readings by some of America's hottest poets and fiction writers in Writers @ The Court presented by Boston Court and Red Hen Press.
Xiem Clay Center and Gallery
Clay: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth
www.xiemclaycenter.com
Xiem Clay Center and Gallery is presenting a unique exhibition of ceramic works inspired and selected by Paulus Berensohn, world-renowned craft artist, teacher and author. The exhibit will investigate the Berensohn’s personal statement in which “Whatever we touch is touching us,” from the viewpoint of clay and ceramic art.
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