Posts tagged Scene
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes”
Feb 28th
video and words by Chad Fujihara
From high heels to toe-shoes, men of all ages walked around the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus Thursday to increase awareness of an important issue: violence toward women on our campus and in our community. The event was sponsored by UH Athletics, Women’s Center and the PAU Violence Program. Read the rest of this entry »
View #5 of a multifaceted look at: First Friday
Feb 12th
A “Thai-ku” by David Meyer
กาโบเออี์ระ
ดนตรีเราคือแสง
และการเต้นรำคือความร้อน
เฮ!เราคือเพลิงกัน
Capoeira
Our music is light
And our dance is heat,
oh, together we are fire.
View #3 of a multifaceted look at: First Friday
Feb 10th
My First Friday Experience
Words and photos by Ashley Kirk
When I think about First Friday the most common thou
ghts that pop into my head are bars, drinking, and, well, more bars. I’m sure most people would think the same thing, but I have always wanted to check out the scoops on the artistic aspect.
And so my journey began this past Friday. After driving in circles and finally finding parking, my friend and I made our way into the crowd of people that flooded the streets of Chinatown.
After walking a few blocks we stumbled upon a large group gathered in a park by the Hawai‘i Theatre. Making our way into the center of the commotion, both of us lit up with excitement as we realized what we had just discovered . . . capoeira!
Capoeira is a Brazilian dance that incorporates martial arts. It was so amazing to watch In a semicircle, the artists would each take turns “battling” in groups of two. They were not hurting each other; it was more like watching You Got Served, but martial-arts style. I saw high kicks, flips, spins and moves that I cannot even describe! There were even a couple times where I thought I was going to get kicked in the face because I was so close to the action.
Some styles were slow and graceful, and then there were styles that looked like someone turned on the fast-forward button. It involved flexibility, strength and an extreme amount of focus, because one wrong move and a person’s foot could end up in the other person’s mouth.
It also involved music. The group had its own band and would each take turns playing the instruments
and singing. I could not understand the lyrics but the music had a catchy beat and my friend and I just made up our own words.
What I also liked about this performance was that the capoeira group encouraged the audience to clap to the music and sing along with them. I felt like we were all one big, happy family, all getting along and having a good time. This was the type of experience that you cannot buy, and that’s what made it so special.
View #2 of a multifaceted look at: First Friday
Feb 10th
A nighttime perspective of First Friday
Words and photos by Lauren Moylan and Nadine Gillespie
Additional photo credits William Knight, www.wkphotog.com
Every first Friday of the month downtown welcomes the community to engage in one of the most creative and lively events, opening the doors of numerous art galleries, Read the rest of this entry »
View #1 of a multifaceted look at: First Friday
Feb 9th
View #1: Crowded Streets, Hidden Artist
Words and pictures by Frank Camu & Dane Kurihara
As my partner and I traveled the streets of Chinatown on February 5, 2010, the first Friday of the month, we were in awe of everything around us. Being that it was my first First Friday I was genuinely excited. From the people, to the buildings, the lion dancers, and the artwork, Chinatown was definitely the place to be.
After almost 45 minutes spent finding parking (we completely underestimated the time, forgetting it was also Chinese New Year), we made our way through the crowded streets. We had passed endless rows of artwork displayed on the streets, when we came across an artist named Eric Mead (who, not to mention, was here for his first First Friday as well). His artwork wasn’t in a crowded room like the others; they were more accessible, and by far some of the most unique. This guy is definitely one of the more talented ones we’ve seen. Luckily, we were able to get some words with the painter himself.
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Artist Eric Mead and interviewer Frank Camu
Frank: So, what was your name?
Eric: Eric Mead
Frank: So, how long have you been painting for?
Eric: About nine years.
Frank: What do you like to paint?
Eric: I’m really inspired by the ocean, and the mountains, and everything having to do with Hawai‘i, and that’s why I’m here, cuz I love it.
Frank: Are you from Hawai‘i or…?
Eric: I’m not from Hawai‘i originally; I’m originally from the East Coast.
Frank: Oh yeah?
Eric: But I’ve been here … This tim
e I’ve been here for six years and I was here back in 2001 for two years.
Frank: Okay, okay. Are you with any agencies or any…
Eric: No, just independent, self-taught, self-taught artist.
Frank: So, you taught yourself to draw all of these?
Eric: Yeah.
Frank: That’s pretty sick, man. Did you go to school for any of this or you just…
Eric: No, not for art, no.
Frank: So, you live out here permanently now, right?
Eric: Yeah, I live up in…I live down in Mānoa.
Frank: Oh cool, cool.
Eric: Yeah, I go to school now, studying acupuncture.
Frank: At Mānoa?
Eric: It’s in University of World Medicine Institute.
Frank: Oh, um, JABSOM (John A. Burns School of Medicine)?
Eric: It’s with Dr. Chang. It’s a university.
Frank: Oh, OK, OK, so you’re studying to be an acupuncturist and you’re doing art on the side?
Eric: Yeah, trying to.
Frank: Have you sold anything today?
Eric: Yeah, I have. I probably sold, like, three or four pieces. Small ones, but it’s good, you know, keep on moving.
Frank: So, when you put your artwork out here, do you do it to network, or to like, showcase your art or…
Eric: Well, this is my first First Friday, this is like my first time like really coming out to the public. So, uhm, just trying to get a feel for what’s really going on and just get some exposure.
Frank: Do you have any advice for any struggling artists or anything like that?
Eric: Oh man, just keep doing it, you know, I mean, everyone’s struggling, but you know, just express yourself from your heart and everything will be all good, you know.
For more information on Eric Mead:
(808) 265-4160
This Weekend: Home is where the artist is
Feb 5th
by Chad Fujihara
courtesy photo of one of the Mendonca Lofts, borrowed from original article
Artists looking to move closer to the belly of Chinatown (a.k.a. where pretty much everything worth checking out seems to happen) may have a bit of a break heading their way according to an article that went up today on the Honolulu Star-Bulletin website.
According to the article, the Mendonca Artist Loft comes courtesy Rich Richardson of the Hawai‘i Academy of Performing Arts with legwork and location by building owners Ernest and JoDee Hunt.
Applications for the new living/working spaces will be taken both at this week’s First Friday and then the next day, Saturday.
They’re going to be pretty lenient on their definition of artists according to the following quote:
“Designers, chefs, writers, filmmakers, mapmakers — the creative synergy has a lasting effect,” said Richardson. “We’re using a loose interpretation of the word ‘arts.’”
If you think you fit the bill, they’ve got various sizes of lofts with scaling costs. Check out the info below for details on how to see it all for yourself.
OPEN HOUSE
Mendonca Artist Loft:
» Where: Corner of Hotel and Maunakea streets
» When: 5 to 9 p.m. tomorrow (during First Friday), and 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday
» Call: 778-6392
