Wing Luke Asian Museum
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 11:01AM A couple of weeks ago, I had the good fortune to take a personal tour of the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle's International District. My guide was Michelle Kumata, a friend and former colleague from The
Seattle Times who has now turned her talents to work as a community liaison for the museum. Michelle was a terrific host, and obviously felt a strong connection to the museum's mission. Here are some snippets from my tour.
Pride of culture, authentic details, community involvement, artists' conceptions and Northwest diversity are all themes that the Wing Luke promotes. An exhibit such as Ho'omau Ka Hauka'i: Native Hawai'ians in the Pacific Northwest, took root in the local Hawaiian community. Displays such as the garage barbecue with food and music celebrate cultural traditions. Multimedia, films and readings may also contribute to our understanding of the culture.
Examples of Hawaiian bark cloth
The original home for this stunning advertising scrim was on Capitol Hill, but now it's found a new place of residence in the auditorium at Wing Luke. Notice the rectangles in the center of the scrim that appear to have a thin layer of white paint on them. If an advertiser hadn't payed their bill their portion of the sign would be white washed over. How's that for being held accountable?
Prayers, wishes, hopes. Joy. Sorrow. What do you see and feel when looking at this beautiful image?
The architect included some of the existing walls from the old museum (seen here) in his plans for the restoration. With a bench placed nearby, this spot is one of several places positioned for contemplation and appreciation of the displays.
Fascinating multimedia presentations are placed throughout the museum. The ingredients in this stir-fry video appear two dimensional. Hear the sizzle of the vegetables hitting the hot pan, the scratching of the metal spatula making a quick toss. All that's missing is the burn of hot oil on your hand. It's an amazing piece of work.
Visit the Wing Luke Museum. Not only is it a strong educational resource for the community, it's a great place to take out-of-town guests.
719 S King St
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 623-5124
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