The Charles B. Wang Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary with five programs that reflect the vitality and diversity of what the Center’s Asian and Asian American programming offers.
Reinterpretations II: Celebrating Ten Amazing Years Exhibition, October 24 through December 2
Curated by Nicole Hixon and Jennifer Iacona, artists from the Department of Art reflect on the Wang Center as an architectural and sculptural phenomenon, revealing elements of the building’s function, aesthetics and socio-cultural symbolism. The Opening Reception celebrates 10 amazing years on Wednesday, October 24, at 1 pm in the Wang Center Skylight Lobby, and features performances by Asian student organizations DDKY, Yuva, Raaswalas, The Cantonese Club and Taiko Tides.
Patang (The Kite), October 24
The film Patang (Prashant Bhargava, 2011, USA, 93 minutes, Hindi with English subtitles) weaves together the stories of six people transformed by the energy of India’s largest kite festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. With naturalistic performances from actors and non-actors alike, bold, lyrical editing, vibrant cinematography and a kinetic score, Patang delights the senses and nourishes the spirit.
Following the film will be a discussion with rising star director Prashant Bhargava and producer Jaideep Punjabi. The film will be shown at 7 pm in the Wang Theatre with a $5 suggested admission.
Manjushree Sand Mandala Painting for Prosperity by Tibetan Buddhist Monks, October 28 through October 30
The Manjushree (Wisdom Deity) Mandala, an aesthetic meditation in the form of an abstract geometric figure, will be made with colored sand grains by the monks as a blessing for the Wang Center’s 10th anniversary. Witness the beginnings of the mandala in the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, October 28, at 2:30 pm in the Wang Skylight Lobby and the dissolution of this ephemeral creation in the Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, October 30, at 1 pm in the Wang Skylight Lobby. The High Lama Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche will offer a lecture entitled “Wisdom Brings Prosperity” preceding the dissolution of the mandala. The monks participate in both ceremonies with polyharmonic chant and dance.
They Call It Myanmar: Lifting the Curtain, Monday, October 29
Shot clandestinely over a two-year period, the film They Call It Myanmar: Lifting the Curtain (Robert H. Lieberman, 2012, USA, 88 minutes) provides a rare look into the second most isolated country on the planet, held in a stasis by a brutal military regime for almost a half century. From more than 100 interviews of people across Burma, including the recently released Aung San Suu Kyi, interwoven with stunning footage of Burmese life, this documentary is truly unique.
This screening, which will be held at the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics at 7 pm, will be followed by a Q&A session with Robert Lieberman.
Journeys: Soh Young Lee and Friends, November 4
Take a musical journey around the globe through an eclectic repertoire of opera, art song, folk music and pop. With her crystalline voice and warm stage presence, soprano Soh Young Lee performs Korean, Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Native American and Russian songs, sounding out her solidarity with the global village.
Joining Soh Young Lee are saxophonist T.K. Blue and Korean Opera (Pansori) singer Oak Joo Moon, Korea’s national treasure. Also featuring Natalia Galebsky (cello), Keyth Hart (piano/voice), and Ann Zarkind (piano). The performance will be held at 4 pm in the Wang Center Theatre.
Tickets: $35 VIP-priority, reserved seating, reception; $20 general; $15 seniors; $10 students. A discount of 20 percent is available for groups of five or more. Reserve by phone (631) 632-4400, email wangcenter@stonybrook.edu or online www.stonybrook.edu/wang.
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