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Oakland Museum of California Announces Public Programs For SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot and Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records

(Oakland, CA)Members of the public can try their hand at making animated flip books, DJing their own playlists, learning whatever happened to the most feared Asian Bad Guys from film and TV, swap records with collectors, and more in a variety of public activities this spring at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Created to enhance two major exhibitions at the Museum—SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot and Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records, both opening April 19—an original collectible publication and an array of public programs are offered throughout the spring. Details will be available on the OMCA website, museumca.org.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITIONS

SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot
April 19–July 27, 2014
This exhibition will feature the work of 15 contemporary artists associated with the groundbreaking magazine Giant Robot, an ahead-of-its-time celebration of Asian and Asian American pop and alternative culture. Founded in 1994, Giant Robot grew from being a small, punk-oriented zine to a multiplatform art space with a robust online presence, retail stores, and related events. Organized by Associate Curator of Design and Material Culture Carin Adams, and guest curated by Giant Robot visionary, Eric Nakamura, OMCA’s exhibition will present works in a variety of media by some of the most exciting talents to emerge from this edgy scene.

Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records
April 19–July 27, 2014
Explore the social and cultural phenomenon of listening to, collecting, and sharing records in Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records. Delve into a uniquely Californian take on this popular medium with experiences ranging from individual and group listening stations to informal talks and live performances. Listen to music produced by influential Bay Area independent labels, examine notable record collections, explore displays of vibrant album cover art, and hear interviews with record collectors—all in an innovative listening space. With opportunities to play albums and participate in music events and performances, Vinyl invites you to become a part of the exhibition itself. Vinyl connects to OMCA’s major spring exhibition SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot through programs and in-gallery experiences celebrating how a range of communities comes together to create shared popular culture.

This exhibition is organized by OMCA Senior Curator of Art René de Guzman. Co-designed with San Francisco-based art and design studio Rebar, known for founding international Park(ing) Day and their innovative designs that investigate new forms of public space. Inspired in part by Seattle-based Olson Kundig Architects’ innovative project space [storefront]. In-kind support for Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records is generously provided by Amoeba Music.

Publication
An original OMCA publication, titled SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, a high-quality collectible magazine, will be released the week of April 14, to coincide with the April 19 opening of the exhibition of the same name. The 80-page publication combines previously published material with new interviews, featuring in-depth content about the 15 contemporary artists highlighted in the exhibition. Including statements by Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Konrad Ng, renowned punk zine editor and publisher Aaron Cometbus, and exhibition curators Eric Nakamura and OMCA Associate Curator of Art & Material Culture Carin Adams, the publication is both an introduction to the groundbreaking cultural influence of Giant Robot and perfect accompaniment to any contemporary art enthusiast’s collection. Retail: $19.95.

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

SuperAwesome Salons

Film
Friday, March 21, 2014, 7–9 pm
Presented in partnership with the Center for Asian American Media and CAAMFest 2014.
 
Zines & Print Culture
Friday, May 30, 2014, 7–9 pm
 
Anime & Manga
Friday, July 25, 2014, 7–9 pm

Explore edgy and emerging cultural intersections in this exclusive salon series during Friday Nights @ OMCA. Enjoy a mashup of culture presented in spring exhibitions SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot and Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records. In these salons, art, music, food, and film all mix to bring you a sensory experience where you can share, talk, taste, and listen to your heart’s content. Details at museumca.org/events

Cost: Included with Museum admission. During Friday Nights @ OMCA, from 5 to 9 pm, admission is half-price for adults, free for ages 18 and under. Members are always free.

OMCA Film | CAAMFest 2014: Awesome Asian Bad Guys
Friday, March 21, 2014, 9:30–11 pm

What happened to the actors that played Asian villains in your favorite childhood action movies? Find out at this screening of the new film AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS, presented in the spirit of upcoming spring exhibition SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, opening April 19 at OMCA. A late-night event, this screening follows SuperAwesome Salon: Film, the first in a series of Salons where visitors enjoy a lively party atmosphere and explore cultural connections between music, art, food, culture, games, and more.

Screwball comedy AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS is directors Patrick Epino and Stephen Dypiangco’s homage to the actors who have played iconic, yet paradoxically nameless Asian villains on the silver screen. This hilarious tribute includes actors Al Leong, Yuji Okumoto and George Cheung playing themselves in caricatures of their most recognizable roles. These antiheroes team up to avenge the wrongful death of Pamlyn, the twin sister of Tamlyn Tomita. In a fun twist on the classic good-versus-evil story, watch as these AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS do what they do best—kick butt.

Cost: Separate ticket required. Visit caamfest.com for details.

Presented in partnership with the Center for Asian American Media and CAAMFest 2014.

Friday Nights @ OMCA: SuperAwesome
Friday, April 18:

Member Preview, 3–7 pm
Friday Nights @ OMCA, 5–9 pm
Public Sneak Peek, 7–9 pm
Record Swap, 7–9 pm

Catch a sneak peek of SuperAwesome spring exhibitions during Friday Nights @ OMCA before the official opening on Saturday, March 19! Gain a new perspective on art, identity, and imagination through the works of 14 contemporary artists in the group exhibition SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, then revisit the albums you love, learn about a whole new genre, and spin to your heart’s content in Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records. Enjoy the time-honored tradition of a Record Swap, OMCA-style, where collectors, sellers, and Vinyl fans alike share and trade albums, stories, and a good time. Don’t miss the fun during Friday Nights @ OMCA, where admission to the Museum is half-off for adults, free for ages 18 and under, and food trucks from Off the Grid, music, dancing, and more make for an authentically Oakland street party.

Cost: Included with Museum admission. During Friday Nights @ OMCA, from 5 to 9 pm, admission is half-price for adults, free for ages 18 and under. Members are always free.

OMCA Record Swap
Friday, April 18, 7–9 pm

Buy, sell, trade, and share. Engage in a time-honored tradition of vinyl aficionados everywhere at the OMCA Record Swap. The Museum has partnered up with powerhouse Bay Area record store Amoeba Music and the folks behind international Record Store Day—taking place this year on April 19—to bring you an event that celebrates the rich community of indie record sellers and collectors in the Bay Area and beyond. During Friday Nights @ OMCA and the Public Sneak Peek of spring exhibitions Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records and SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, visitors to the Record Swap can meet vinyl experts, swap stories of albums, peruse the crates, and take some special finds home to spin on their own.

Cost: Included with Museum admission. During Friday Nights @ OMCA, from 5 to 9 pm, admission is half-price for adults, free for ages 18 and under. Members are always free.

Talk and Play: In-Gallery Programs
Saturday, April 19, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Friday, April 25, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Saturday, May 3, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Friday, May 9, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Saturday, May 17, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Friday, May 23, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Friday, June 6, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Saturday, June 14, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Friday, June 20, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Saturday, June 28, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Saturday, July 12, 2014, 1–2:30 pm
Friday, July 18, 2014, 7–8:30 pm
Saturday, July 26, 2014, 1–2:30 pm

Join featured guest participants from DJs to music journalists, record collectors to experimental musicians, inside the interactive exhibition Vinyl: The Sound and Culture of Records. With something different every program, visitors might find themselves in the middle of a performance, swapping albums with collectors, learning from an expert about the mechanics of pressing an album, or listening to a specially curated music set. Check back soon at museumca.org/vinyl for more details on featured guests.

Cost: Included with admission. During Friday Nights @ OMCA, from 5 to 9 pm, admission is half-price for adults, free for ages 18 and under. Members are always free.

OMCA Family Drop-in Workshop: Flipbooks!
Sunday, April 27, 2014, 12–3 pm

When do art, illustration, animation, and storytelling intersect? In a flipbook! Learn how to make your own, inspired by the exhibition SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot, on view in the Great Hall.

Cost: Included with Museum admission. No reservations required. All ages welcome. Members are always free.

Made possible by generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Annual Marvin Spohn Lecture in the Graphic Arts | Album Cover Art
Saturday, June 21, 2014, 1–2:30 pm 

Join this expert panel discussion exploring the careers and artistic influence of artists from the exhibition SuperAwesome: Art and Giant Robot who have done artwork for album covers. Stay tuned for details on guest speakers and more!

Cost: Included with Museum admission. Members are always free.

Named in honor of graphic artist Marvin Spohn (1934-76), this annual lecture is funded in part by a friend of the Oakland Museum of California. Prior lecturers in this series have included John Baldessari, Christopher Brown, John Cage, Carmen Lomas Garza, David Hockney, Hung Liu, Deborah Oropallo, Ken Light, and Wayne Thiebaud.