J-Sei at the Movies: An Evening with Filmmaker Akira Boch
Friday, May 22, 2020
In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, J-Sei welcomed filmmaker AKIRA BOCH, who joined online from his home base in Southern California. Akira shared his documentary work, including his recent PBS documentary, MASTERS OF MODERN DESIGN, which profiles JA artists Ruth Asawa, George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi, S. Neil Fujita, and Gyo Obata and explores how their WWII experiences sought expression and resolution in their lives and art. Several short documentaries by Akira Boch were screened to give viewers a taste of his dynamic storytelling craft.
MASTERS OF MODERN DESIGN is available for viewing here: https://www.pbs.org/video/
From the hand-drawn typeface on the cover of The Godfather to Herman Miller’s biomorphic coffee table, the work of Japanese American designers including Ruth Asawa, George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi, S. Neil Fujita, and Gyo Obata permeated postwar culture. While these second generation Japanese American artists have been celebrated, less-discussed is how their World War II incarceration—a period of intense hardship and discrimination—had a powerful effect on their lives and art.
This documentary, MASTERS OF MODERN DESIGN, a co-production between JANM’s Watase Media Arts Center and KCET for the series ARTBOUND, explores the ways in which their camp experiences impacted their lives, influenced their art, and sent them on trajectories that eventually led to their changing the face of American culture with their immense talents.
Akira Boch has an MFA in Directing from UCLA Film School, and has made a gang load of shorts, documentaries, and music videos. His award-winning feature film, THE CRUMBLES, went on a nationwide tour of theaters, festivals and universities. He is currently developing a few top secret projects out of his garage in Eagle Rock, California.
2 Bento, pick up at Emeryville JSei
Paid with card with movie donation.