My fellow Bruce fans, this one's for you. The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle is opening the second phase of its multi-year exhibition on the legendary martial arts icon, Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers. I had the honor of writing the main panel text for the exhibit.
Featuring new and rarely seen memorabilia -- including the largest display ever of The Green Hornet toys and collectibles -- Year 2 focuses on Bruce's larger than life, stereotype-busting impact in the media and film industry. The exhibit opens with a day-long celebration on Saturday, October 3.
Here are some more details about the exhibit:
Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers
On display October 3, 2015 - September 4, 2016
Still rooted in his Seattle story, Year 2 tackles Bruce Lee’s larger than life impact in the media and film industry. From Green Hornet to Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee defied stereotypes, broke barriers and transformed media perceptions by insisting on playing roles of real people rather than of Chinese male caricatures.
New rarely seen memorabilia includes:
- Largest display ever of The Green Hornet toys and collectibles
- Personal letters from his early television career
- Behind-the-scene photos from the sets of The Way of the Dragon and Enter the Dragon
- Handwritten film notes by Bruce for Game of Death
- Rare photo of inside his early studio in Seattle’s Chinatown
- Photos from his apartment in the University District where he launched his early studio and fell in love with wife Linda, Bruce Lee defied stereotypes, broke barriers and transformed media perceptions by insisting on playing roles of real people rather than of Chinese male caricatures.
Inspired by Bruce Lee's infamous one-inch punch, the new exhibition will also feature a custom one-inch punch interactive station, developed in partnership with University of Washington. Visitors will be able to test and measure the g-force of their own one-inch punches.
And here's a schedule of the opening day events:
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers Opening Day
10am - Opening celebration on King Street with a Bruce Lee-inspired stunt demonstration (choreographed by veteran Hollywood and TV stuntman Bob Macdougall) and speaking program with KING5 news anchor Sula Kim. Cantonese translation provided by Alan Lai.
11:30-12:30pm - Collectors’ Corner with Perry Lee and Jeff Chinn in the library
12-1:30pm - Ji Han Jae (Game of Death) martial arts demonstration and signing
1-1:30pm - Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute of Seattle martial arts demonstration
2-3:30pm - Breaking Barriers in Hollywood and Beyond panel discussion.
Panelists include Parry Shen (General Hospital), Geo Quibuyen (Blue Scholars and chef), Traci Kato-Kiriyama (spoken word artist & actress), and Leilani Nishime (UW), moderated by Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man).
3:30pm - Crash Dancers cha-cha flash mob tribute, choreographed by Salsa N Seattle
5:10pm - Awesome Asian Bad Guys film screening with producer Phil Yu and actor Yuji Okumoto, with Q & A session after.
For further information about the Do You Know Bruce? Breaking Barriers exhibit, and to reserve your ticket, head over to the The Wing website. Hope you can join us on opening day!
