Art Speak > Summer Programs for Teens
Youth Inspirations: Power Portraits
Through April 8, 2012, Education Resource Room
Inspired by the maharajas’ concept of royal identity, fifth grade students from Sherman Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District, create self-portraits with guidance from ArtSeed artist, Marissa Kunz and teacher, Buzz Harris. Watch the kids in action.
Deities, Demons, and Dudes with Staches: Indian Avatars by Sanjay Patel
Through April 22, 2012, Tateuchi Thematic Gallery, 2nd Floor
Pixar animator and storyboard artist, Sanjay Patel, creates an installation for the Asian Art Museum inspired by his Indian culture, Hindi upbringing, and ancient works in the museum's collection. His artwork also decorates the ground floor and exterior of the building in conjunction with the exhibition, Maharaja: The Splendor of India's Royal Courts.
Family Fun Activity: Dance
Thursday, December 29, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Suggested for families with children ages 11-15.
Hip hop, funk, and reggae songs are the soundtracks for Bhangra, a type of popular dance combining Punjabi folk traditions with Western pop music. Learn to dance like a Bollywood star in this workshop for tweens.
Film: The Greatest of the Mughals
Sunday, January 8, 1:00 pm
1960, India, in Urdu and Hindi with English subtitles, 191 minutes
This 1960 epic took nine years and $3 million to make, and it was the highest grossing Indian film ever produced. The story is loosely based on an episode in the life of the Mughal Prince Salim, who went on to become the Emperor Jahangir (r. 1608-1627). The film chronicles the drama of royal succession, forbidden love between the prince and a court-dancer, the prince's rebellion against his father, and dramatic death sentences.
Mochitsuki! Mochi Pounding Ceremony
Saturday, January 14, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm, Samsung Hall
Hands–on activity, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Education Classrooms
Celebrate the Japanese New Year with Kagami Kai! Join this venerable San Francisco institution as they present the colorful and exciting New Year tradition of mochi (delectably sweet rice cakes) pounding with music, dance and costumes. Afterward, stick around and make an art project inspired by the New Year, listen to storytelling or join an Art Explorers’ Family Tour. Click here for details.
Year of the Dragon Celebration
Sunday, February 5, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
Free Admission Courtesy of Target
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with students of the Chinese American International School (CAIS) presenting Chinese classical music and dances from Chinese ethnic minorities, ending with a playful lion dance arranged by the students. The lion dance is an important part of every New Year celebration and is believed to scare away evil spirits and ensure a bright new beginning. Hunt for dragons on an Art Explorers’ family tour; listen to dragon stories; create a dragon puppet or paint a dragon netsuke designed by artist Natsusaka Shinichiro.
Film: Lagaan
Sunday, February 12, 1:00 pm
2001, India, in Hindi, Awadhi, Urdu, and English with subtitles, 224 minutes
One of the most expensive films ever to come out of Bollywood, with song-and-dance routines, Lagaan tells the tale of an Indian village beset by drought and British colonialism in 1893. The villagers ask the local authorities for a temporary repeal of their taxes—the lagaan—but the English military governor threatens to raise it threefold unless the villagers can beat his men at a game of cricket. (Synopsis adapted from www.rottentomatoes.com).
