International Examiner Established in 1974, the International Examiner is the oldest and largest nonprofit, pan-Asian American publication in the Pacific Northwest.
The Intenational Examiner aspires to be a catalyst for building an inspiring, connected, well-respected, and socially conscious Asian Pacific American community.
The International Examiner is a free publication published on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.
Emi Meyer, International Examiner Reporter, talks to Japanese singer-songwriter Chihomi.
English Transcript
Chihomi, could you give us a little self-introduction?
Yes, nice to meet you, my name is Chihomi. I released a single in 2001 and debuted as Chihomi Ishihara. I've now taken off my last name and have been performing as Chihomi for a year. I am a singer-songwriter.
You recently changed the direction of your career— could you explain how?
I started music because I loved singing. As things unfolded, I questioned what music meant to me, and whether I should continue my career in the same direction. At the root of the matter, I realized singing means the most to me, and arrived at the fact I love music. So in many ways, I decided to make things simple again. I am now working alone, of course with the help of many, and trying to return to the origin. I've therefore adjusted the direction of my career and am now a solo artist.
From now, how do you see your future plans?
I'm really pleased with how I'm pursuing music right now. I want to think of the people who are listening and create music that gives them energy and hope. That would make me content, and in order to do that, I need to continue enjoying music myself.
Some words of advice?
What kind of advice?
Like for other musicians?
Believe in the fact that you love music. It's hard to continue what you're doing, but if you keep at it, you will see results.
Comfort Woman interview by Canadian Television CBC
China's so-called "Comfort Women" were forced into sex slavery during the Second World War, and after that, into the shadows. Now, they're finally telling their stories. Michel Cormier speaks with one of them, Lei Guying, in this report. Sadly, Lei Guying passed away at the end of April, just two weeks after her story aired on The National.
In 2006, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) hired Josh Yiu as their assistant curator of Chinese Art. Hyun-Jung Jang, a Korean journalis In 2006, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) hired Josh Yiu as their assistant curator of Chinese Art. Hyun-Jung Jang, a Korean journalism student visiting Seattle to learn English, talks to the Oxford Ph.D graduate about his job, family and artwork.
"What visitors see hanging on museum walls and installed in various rooms is brought on by the hard work of a museum curator. Josh explains his duties, "The museum curator has two responsibilities. They are expected to advertise the museum's collections through scholarly writings, publications and exhibitions. The other aspect is to expand the collections." This entails both acquiring new art and encouraging collectors to donate works to the museum. Josh sums it up as, "get the works known for the things we already have, get them known to the outside world and try to get more to enrich the collection." - Excerpt of International Examiner Article BY BETTINA PALILEO, Contributor. Read More
Nhien Nguyen, editor International Examiner, interviews Portland-based Jiro Yonezawa, Japanese bamboo artist, at the William Traver Galleryo opening reception August 2.
Jiro's exhibit is called Crossroads that represents a selection of his uniquely expressive woven bamboo and mixed media sculptures. Each piece combines a deep respect for the traditions of Japanese basketry with an American zest for self-expression and innovation.
Yonezawa studied traditional bamboo basketry techniques in Japan before moving to the United States in 1989. He uses imported Japanese mandake bamboo as the primary material in most of his pieces, which is known for its hardness, flexibility, strength and surface quality. He hand-splits each strip, finishing each to the same width and thickness, bevels the edges, and then dyes and lacquers them.
Jiro Yonezawa's Crossroads will be on display at the William Traver Gallery-Seattle through September 2nd, 2007. Gallery Profile
Jiro Yonezawa: Japanese basketry as sculpture at William Traver Gallery
BY CLAIRE EMIKO FANT Examiner Contributor
Jiro Yonezawa is a soft-spoken Japanese artist who prefers to let his artwork do most of the talking for him. His medium is the art and craft of Japanese bamboo basket weaving, which he brings into the realm of sculptural form. The pieces in his current exhibit, “Crossroads,” at William Traver Gallery in Seattle, are eloquent and graceful. The details reveal Yonezawa’s skill and passion in working with bamboo using time-honored traditional techniques. Read More
Kiki Yeung chats with Playwright Donna Rae Davidson about "North Arcade", a play that Kiki has the role of Asian flower vendor, Smokey Lane.
Donna was inspired to write the play when she went to work at Pike Place Market in 1990. She based the characters in the play on people she had known on the craft line in the market’s North Arcade. (Read More)
