Asian Cultural Council Accconnects
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asian cultural council accconnects SPRING 2013 | ISSUE NO. 3 new york hong kong manila taipei tokyo AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MUSIC TOURS THE U.S. This past February, the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) embarked on their historic first U.S. tour with support from the Asian Cultural Council. The tour initiated at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on February 7. They also performed at the The Classical Khmer Ballet, 1971 Royal Ballet of Cambodia, 2013 State Department, the Italian Embassy Photo by Anders Jiras and the World Bank then moved on to THE MANY SEASONS OF CAMBODIA Carnegie Hall in New York, culminating in a residency and concert at Boston’s New England Conservatory. These concerts In October 1971, the Asian Cultural Council made a modest grant to the Brooklyn featured the Afghan Youth Orchestra Academy of Music (BAM) to support the presentation of the Classical Khmer Ballet (AYO) and other ANIM ensembles of Cambodia. Previously called the Royal Ballet of Cambodia, they were renamed performing orchestral and chamber as a result of the 1970 coup that ousted Cambodia’s monarchy. The New York music on both Western and traditional Times described the Ballet’s performance as “a revelation.” Within eight years of this instruments. All the students are aged triumphant U.S. debut, 90% of Cambodia’s dancers and other artists would be dead, between 10 and 20 years old. “They are victims of the Khmer Rouge’s disastrous attempt to radically transform the country. extremely excited and happy to go on this tour and be a symbol of the positive In May 2013, ACC is supporting the return of the Cambodian Ballet to BAM, this changes happening in Afghanistan,” said time under the title of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia. Under the artistic direction the school’s founder and driving force, of HRH Buppha Devi, and in consultation with the ACC’s 2000 John D. Rockefeller Ahmad Sarmast. The Asian Cultural 3rd Awardee Proeung Chhieng, both of whom danced in the 1971 performance Council is proud to have been able to in Brooklyn, the Royal Ballet will present The Legend of Apsara Mera. Intrinsic provide support for this important tour. to this production are long years of reconstruction and conservation carried out in Cambodia by artists, scholars, students, and administrators in partnership with supporters from around the world. The ACC is honored to have participated in these efforts through the Cambodian Artists Mentorship Program (with support from the Rockefeller Foundation), project grants, and individual fellowships since the 1980s. Cambodian classical dance is one of the world’s cultural treasures. Its return to BAM’s Opera House is truly worthy of celebration. 50th Contemporary Grantee Staff and Secretary of State John Kerry greeting in this issue Anniversary Chinese Spotlights Trustee News members of the Afghanistan National Institute inside Playwright Series inside back of Music. Photo courtesy of State Department. inside SPRING 2013 | ISSUE NO. 3 ASIANCULTURALCOUNCIL.ORG COMING SOON... ACC CELEBRATES 50 YEARS GRANTEE SPOTLIGHTS JUL 15 | Gallery Series in Manila ACC Philippines Foundation will CAI GUO-QIANG GIVES BACK TO ACC host a series of exhibitions of Filipino ACC grantee Cai Guo-Qiang (1995), whose gunpowder drawings have sparked excitement DANCE TAIPEI at New York Live Arts on May 7 artists beginning July 15. Art sales will around the globe, announced plans to give a portion of his earnings from the prestigious benefit the ACC Philippines Fellowship To launch the celebration of its 50th Anniversary in New Praemium Imperiale Award to the Asian Cultural Council. The gift will support ACC’s Japan- Program. York, the Asian Cultural Council is presenting DANCE United States Arts Program endowment, which was established by life trustee Seiji Tsutsumi in TAIPEI, the work of four extraordinary contemporary 1983. ACC is grateful for Mr. Cai’s commitment to the mission of ACC. Photo by Lin Yi, courtesy Cai Studio choreographers —all based in Taipei, and all ACC NOV 11 | ACC Taipei Celebrates grantees: Fang-Yi Sheu & Artists; Shu-Yi & Dancers; ACC’s 50th Huang Yi Studio; Cheng Tsung-Lung. This event is made A fundraising event featuring a EDRALIN BONG CABRERA’S FILM ANG LALAKING PARISUKAT possible with support from the Taipei Economic Cultural performance of King Lear by ACC Office in New York and from ACC Taiwan Foundation. grantee Wu Xing-Guo (2005); a dance Congratulations to ACC grantee Bong Cabrera (2010) for starring in the film “Ang Lalaking piece performed by Bulareyaung Parisukat” (“Man of Squares”) which recently won best short film at the Manhattan International Pagarlava (1998 and 2007); and a joint Film Festival! performance by shakuhachi player Midori Moments: An ACC 50th Anniversary Celebration in Akihito Obama (2011) and puppeteer Hong Kong on Sunday, May 26 Manami Kimura (2004) at TaipeiEYE. BENEFIT CONCERT AT CARNEGIE HALL ACC is excited for the celebration, Midori Moments, a On February 26, ACC grantee Akihito Obama (2011) and former ACC Director Ralph Samuelson three-day outreach and education program which will NOV 5 Twenty-Five at Fifty, Fashion performed in The University of Tokyo Alumni Choir’s “Japan Earthquake Benefit & Sandy Relief feature a solo benefit recital by violinist and grantee Designer Rajo Laurel Celebrates Concert” at Carnegie Hall. The concert reflected the thoughts, hearts and minds of the many Midori Goto (2009). The recital will take place at the ACC’s 50th in Manila different people in both Japan and the U.S. involved in helping the survivors and remembering Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Amphitheatre A fundraising gala and fashion show, the victims of these two natural disasters. Photo by Peter Schaaf and a cocktail reception will be hosted by ACC Hong hosted by ACC Philippines Foundation Kong after the performance. Board Member Rajo Laurel, celebrates his fashion label’s 25th anniversary and ACC GRANTEES EXHIBIT AT THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM ACC’s 50th. ACC grantees Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook (1994), Aung Myint (2003), Navin Rawanchaikul (2005, 2011), and Tran Luong (1998, 2008) are all participating in the exhibition No Country: PROTECT WHAT IS PRECIOUS BEIJING, CHINA Contemporary Art for South and Southeast Asia, the inaugural exhibition of the Guggenheim Left: (l-r) ACC’s Director of Development Lauren UBS MAP Global Art Initiative, which runs until May 22. The exhibition features work by 22 artists Cherubini, Chairman Wendy O’Neill, and Executive Director Miho Walsh with Coco Zhao, a grantee and collectives representing some of the most compelling and innovative voices in South and who performed at the Protect What is Precious Southeast Asia today. ©Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook event, a collaboration between Girard Perrgeaux and Christie’s, on January 28, 2013 at Yuan Space in Beijing. ACC HONG KONG ALUMNI REUNION A long-awaited reunion for our alumni in Hong Kong and China was held at the Cabaret Theatre Right: (l-r) ACC Trustee David Rockefeller, Jr. and jazz singer and grantee Coco Zhao (2004, 2009) of the Hong Kong Fringe Club on February 6, 2013. Under the theme “New York, New York!” the from China at Protect What is Precious event on fun-filled evening brought together over 60 alumni from across the spectrum of the local arts January 28, 2013 at Yuan Space in Beijing. scene, of which some showcased their talents in drumming, singing, dancing, and story-telling to celebrate the happy occasion. Photo by: Cheung Chi Wai CONTEMPORARY CHINESE PLAYWRIGHT A MULTI-MEDIA ACC ALUMNI CREATION SERIES IN NEW YORK ACC alumni artists, assembled by Michelle Vosper, former Director of ACC Hong Kong and currently a senior advisor to ACC, participated in a multi-media creation in Hong Kong. All born In March 2013 the ACC supported the Contemporary Chinese Playwright Series (CCPS), in the year of the Dragon, the ‘Dragons’ included video artist May Fung (1993); architects a week-long exploration of contemporary Chinese theater conceived of by playwright Fanny Ang (2010) and Tony Ip (2011); composer Florence Cheung (2000); ceramic artist David Henry Hwang, whose work is being celebrated during the Signature Theatre’s Fiona Wong (1998); sculpture artist Ho Siu Kee (2000); dance artists Chen Kai (2008) and 2012-13 season. Mr. Hwang selected three ACC grantees: Candace Chong from Victor Ma (1996); and theater artists Chong Mui Ngam (2004) and Janice Poon (2009). Abstract Hong Kong (2006), Nick Yu from Shanghai (2003, 2006), Meng Jinghui from Beijing calligrapher Wei Ligang (2005) created a special painting which will be sold to establish a new (2002), and playwright Wei-jan Chi from Taipei, to engage with playwrights, actors, (l-r) Meng Jinghui, David Henry Hwang, “ACC Alumni Fellowship” in honor of this occasion. Photo by Cheung Chi Wai and directors in New York to create English-language versions their plays, which were and Candace Chong at Signature Theatre presented at the Signature Theatre. Company. Photo by Erik Carter SPRING 2013 | ISSUE NO. 3 ASIANCULTURALCOUNCIL.ORG STAFF NEWS TRUSTEE NEWS ACC welcomes its new Director in Hong Kong, Josephine Wai. From 1999 to 2011, she was the Director, Arts Support of the Hong Kong Arts ACC congratulates Life Trustee Seiji ACC applauds Trustee Vincent Mai on Development Council (HKADC) and was Tsutsumi on being awarded the ACC’s receiving the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of instrumental in establishing HKADC as Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller (BHR) Hope Award, along with Taylor Swift, for an important resource for artists and arts Award last fall. This award recognizes Mr. his dedication to human rights. groups in obtaining funding support. Tsutsumi’s continual support of the arts (l-r) Kerry Kennedy, Taylor Swift, and international cultural exchange. guest Frank Mugisha, and Vincent Mai ACC (l-r) Mrs. Asako Tsutsumi, Ms.