In celebration of the East-West Center Gallery’s 20th anniversary and the East-West Center’s 55th anniversary, the gallery will present “A Common Thread: Textiles From the Permanent Collection,” a free exhibition of textiles rarely seen by the public, including new works recently donated and never before exhibited.
The works include batik from Indonesia and Malaysia, embroidered apparel from China, kilim carpet weaving from Iran, Indian zardozi, Cambodian ikat, naturally dyed Lao silk weaving, Samoan siapo, Indian kantha, Korean chokakpo, Japa?nese silk kimono and obi, Uzbeki suzani, Burmese shwe gyi do, Syrian silk and Fili?pino Bontoc weaving.
The exhibition opens with a free reception from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring demonstrations by the Hawai‘i Handweavers Hui, and continues through Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The exhibition is dedicated to two of the founders of the East-West Center’s arts program: Jeanette “Benji” Bennington and William Feltz. Bennington, who died last year, was the first curator of EWC Gallery and a pioneer in displaying contemporary Asian arts. Feltz continues to be involved with the center as an adjunct arts specialist. Both founders ensured that the center’s permanent collection includes many beautiful and unique textiles.
The East-West Center Gallery is in John A. Burns Hall, 1601 East-West Road. Call 944-7177.
The following are free events taking place 2 to 3 p.m. at the gallery in conjunction with the exhibition:
>> July 12: “Innovations through Hawaiian Design,” an illustrated talk by Marques Marzan, Hawaii fiber artist and Bishop Museum cultural resources specialist.
>> Aug. 2: “Identify Yourself: A Sneak Preview” of Hono?lulu Museum of Art’s fall exhibition on textiles that identify social status and gender, by textiles curator Sara Oka.
>> Aug. 30: “Lessons From Water,” an illustrated talk by Mary Babcock, associate professor in the University of Hawaii’s Department of Art and Art History, featuring her work in fiber arts, mixed media and performance art.
>> Sept. 13: “Threads of Hope,” an illustrated talk by Cheri Vasek, assistant professor in UH’s Department of Theatre and Dance, focusing on transformations that have revitalized the production and marketing of traditional textiles in India.
>> Sept. 20: “Textile Tales South of China’s Southern Great Wall,” an illustrated discussion of textiles produced by three minority groups in southern China — the Dong, Miao and Tujia — with Chinese scholar Li Lundin.
Vintage, current fashions hit runway
Moiliili Community Center will host its annual fundraiser dinner, themed “Back in the Day,” on May 30, highlighted by a fashion show of vintage and current clothing presented by its Hidden Treasures thrift store.
The event will start with 5:30 p.m. check-in and cocktails in the Japa?nese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Manoa Grand Ballroom, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Then guest models and staff will walk the runway to the music of the 1940s, when the center opened, and current tunes. Guests are encouraged to wear fashions of their favorite era.
Tickets, $150 per person, are available by calling 955-1555.
BEAUTY SPOT
Gucci Waikiki features beauty line
Gucci Beauty quietly launched last fall, and Gucci Waikiki is one of the few stores nationwide to carry the exclusive product line.
The Gucci cosmetics collection includes intense “Magnetic Color” eye shadow palettes comprising iconic colors from Gucci’s fashion archives paired with contemporary hues from the house’s runway shows, as well as retro-inspired lipsticks.
