Hey, Los Angeles. Just want to make sure you knew about the Chinese American Museum's exhibit "(de)Constructing Chinatown," an exploration of L.A.'s Chinatown, its history, and its place in the landscape of the city's larger history, through the eyes of eight local artists. Here's more info:
On view beginning July 26, 2012 through October 28, 2012The exhibit runs through October 28. The museum will be holding a panel discussion on "(de)Constructing Chinatown" with Sissy Trinh (Southeast Asian Community Alliance), Jenny Cho (Chinese Historical Society of Southern California), and Paul Ong (UCLA). For more information, check out the Facebook event here.
(de)Constructing Chinatown, a new exhibition from the Chinese American Museum (CAM) at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, features an evolving critical view of Los Angeles Chinatown through the eyes of eight local artists who use the historic neighborhood as a canvas to capture a glimpse of the constantly changing city.
Chinatowns around the world have long been the subject of art, literature and culture, with artists often creating their own idyllic impressions of these unique places, often reducing them to an exotic destination filled with both mystery and intrigue. Unfortunately, Los Angeles Chinatown is not exempt from this clichéd legacy. Such representations have overshadowed the critical role of this community as both a cultural center for new immigrants and a location for important connections with surrounding communities.