By Jenny Kim
Vietnamese Americans xposed, the passing of Iris Chang, Giant Robot celebrates, the VC Filmfest 2005 is coming, rare Chinese art in the U.S. and more in this edition of News Bites.
Vietnamese American Xposure
VAX, or Vietnamese American Xposure, is the first television show for second generation Vietnamese Americans. It recently debuted in Los Angeles on ch. 4, KXLA--otherwise known as“Little Saigon"--with plans to broadcast nationally later this year. Similar to MTV, VAX is a 30 minute magazine program that combines traditional Vietnamese culture, talents, lifestyles, and entertainment in a way the younger generation can relate to and identify with. The mission of the show is to “promote and expose the vital role Vietnamese Americans play within the mainstream media as well as enhance the overall perception of the immigrant ethnicity.”
VAX's website has also become quite popular, with more than three million hits monthly and is ranked in the top 40,000 websites across the world. VAX online includes articles on pertinent issues within the Vietnamese American community, fun and educational videos to watch, the latest music, etc. VAX plans to promote events every month such as singles night and a live Asian “Battle of the Bands.” It is clear that this new, hip MTV-style show has opened the doors to further awareness about the Asian Community.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.vaxtvshow.com/index.php
The Rumble Invasion
Sponsored by the publisher EigoManga in San Francisco, the Rumble Invasion concert took place at Tower Records to celebrate the re-release of the manga series Rumble Pak to the American mainstream. During the three-hour concert, fans of manga (Japanese-influenced comics) were able to enjoy live music and watch manga artists at work. The energetic musicians included bands such as the Missouri-based Ludo, San Francisco-based StereoStar FM, and Japanese hip-hop trio Giving Hands. The music ranged from hip-hop and punk to hard metal. The publisher EigoManga wanted to bring a fusion of artistic trends from Asia with the American lifestyle through this concert. Currently EigoManga holds tutorials and demonstrations for beginning artists, and hopes to encourage more Manga fans to create art in the United States.
Giant Robot Magazine's 10-Year Anniversary
Started in 1994 by Eric Nakamura and Martin Wong, Giant Robot (GR) celebrates its 10th year anniversary this month. Giant Robot is not your typical magazine about Asian pop culture. Rather it is one of the best art-directed magazines on the stands today, interesting for both Asians and non-Asians. The magazine appeals to multiple subcultures from artists, collectors, underground musicians, movie reviewers, and fans of the Asian pop culture.
In the past, Giant Robot has promoted martial arts stars such as Jet Li (before he was famous), publicized tofu-head dolls from Japan, addressed serious issues from medical care in Cambodia to the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and reviewed the latest animes to hit the United States. Giant Robot has been recognized as one of the best illustrated magazines in the United States and will hopefully continue to bridge the Pacific in the years to come.
Rare Chinese Art Comes to the U.S
Many features of Asian Culture, from food, pottery, films, music, fabric, tea, etc., have trickled into Western society. However, one aspect the Western culture was deprived of was the Ancient Asian Fine Arts--until now. Goo San Inc. and the National Palace Museum in Taipei have collaborated to introduce exact reproductions of Ancient Chinese scroll paintings to the U.S. These rare Chinese scrolls date back as far as the Tang Dynasty, during 618 to 906 A.D. Due to the delicate condition of these scrolls, few were ever exhibited, even in China. Only the wealthiest Chinese art patrons had access to such works of art. However today, these ancient treasures will be reproduced through a license from the National Palace Museum. Using traditional materials and processes, they will be able to reproduce authentic copies of these exquisite paintings. These beautiful Eastern masterpieces will finally be shared with the rest of the world.
For more information, please visit:
www.goosansui.com
Indo-Carribean Film Makes a Big Hit
The newest Indo-Carribean film, called Guiana 1838, managed to sell out at the UA Crossbay Theater in Queens, New York on its opening weekend. It grossed over $70,000 from just one theater alone. The film centers around the abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean in 1834, which leads The Gillanders, Arbuthnot & Company in Calcutta to recruit Coolies from India as indentured servants. With hopes of a better future, these Coolies unknowingly sign five-year contracts to work in the sugar plantations of the British West Indies. However, these “contracts” eventually result in a new form of enslavement. The film stars Hollywood legend Kumar Gaurav and newcomer 18-year-old Aarti Bathija from Fordham University in New York. Guiana 1838 will open in Toronto and soon be released across the United States.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.rbcradio.com/guiana1838.html
VC Filmfest 2005 announces "call for entries"
VC Filmfest, which has previously showcased both Asian Pacific American artists and Asian international filmmakers alike, is currently accepting submissions for their 2005 edition. Those lucky enough to be selected will then be recognized through audience and juried awards. Ang Lee, Justin Lin, Greg Pak, Ann Hui, Chen Kaige, Takeshi "Beat" Kitano, Miike Takashi and John Woo are among the household names who have had their works screened.
Iris Chang dead at 36
The prolific and highly revered Asian American writer Iris Chang was found deceased in South Bay, from what was apparently a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Chang--whose universally lauded The Rape of Nanking sparked an international debate about the existing accounts of the atrocities committed by the Japanese during World War II--was 36. Her most recent novel, The Chinese in America was named by the San Francisco Chroncle as one of the year's best books.
For a review of The Chinese in America, please go to: http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/080103/20030801_comingtoamerica.html
Published: Friday, November 19, 2004
