June 9 through July 28, 2007
The exhibition Hybrid Theories opens on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center. Hybrid Theories examines how marginalized people interpret their identities in a world where societies across the globe are becoming increasingly interdependent as a result of globalization. This exhibition will feature artists Aya Seko, Azusa Oda, and Clement Hanami whose work explores this phenomenon.
Encyclopedia Britannica describes globalization as a "process by which the experience of everyday life ... is becoming standardized around the world." With the increased global interconnectivity of societies and economies, similar products and processes are brought to our lives. The results of this integration are not always homogenous. From everyday experiences like Starbucks or Niketown, to internet communities like YouTube or Myspace, we see the concept of mass customization permeating, consuming, and exploiting a spectrum of cultures. Our lives are a blur of facile personalization created at mass production efficiency never seen before. The show Hybrid Theories is an exhibition that provides a glimpse into the effects of globalization, especially as it impacts those that are already marginalized by mainstream culture dictating a need to explore alternative forms of self expression. These artists share a desire to bridge cultural borders and provide access to unique interpretations of personal identity and experience.
Aya Seko’s work investigates the collision of race and class in many different mediums. In the past few years the work has manifest itself as performance based work, but is not limited to the specific medium. Her interest lies in the investigation of different roles people play in order to navigate their environment. What kind of stories can one tell, create, and live by observing and performing. She has continued to show her work in many different venues for the last ten years. In March of 2004 she had her first solo exhibition at Voz Alta Projects, in San Diego. She was born in Japan, and moved to the United States at the age of one. Aya Seko was raised in Long Beach California, and received her Bachelors Degree in Studio Art from the University of California Irvine. After working for a year, she received a one-year study grant to study at the University of Wakayama in Japan. Upon her return to California, she attended, and received her Masters in Fine Art from the University of California San Diego. Currently, Aya is working for the Los Angeles Conservation Corps as a Program Coordinator for after school programs.
Azusa Oda’s work looks at representations of Japan in the United States and of the United States in Japan as they are depicted in consumer products to critically and visually articulate the inevitable cultural gap that results. Using products accessible to the mainstream, she re-presents the product's information through a different medium, hoping to spotlight the mythology imbedded in the thing itself. Oda’s personal investment in this exploration is to reconcile her own anxieties and frustrations that arise from being raised in a bi-cultural environment. Witnessing various forms of cultural representation, she is curious to examine ways that certain preconceptions are presented, mediated, and perpetuated in everyday objects. Through this exploration Oda wishes to question the significance and impact of cultural representation in consumption and identity formation. Azusa Oda received her Bachelors Degree in Studio Art From the University of California, Los Angeles and recently completed her Master of Fine Arts in Design from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.
Clement Hanami is a conceptual artist born and raised in East Los Angeles. His work investigates and integrates multiple cultural perspectives to illustrate the concepts of hybridism in our diverse society. Hanami works as the Art Director at the Japanese American National Museum and oversees the design and production of the Museum’s exhibitions and printed materials and a program developer for the newly formed National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, a new model for public education and affiliate organization of the Museum. He also teaches new genres, a studio arts class at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and is a Cultural Affairs Commissioner for the City of Culver City. Mr. Hanami received his M.F.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles with a specialization in new genres. His most recent awards include a 2007 Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), COLA award; a 2006 DCA, Artist in Residence award; Station artist for the East Los Angeles Civic Center station of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension (MGLEE). Past awards include a 2000 Getty Individual Artists Fellowship and a California Civil Liberties Education Program grant for jasonproject.ws.
Hybrid Theories was organized by Cybele Garcia Kohel, formerly of the Downtown Center and artist Clement Hanami. There will be an opening reception on June 9, 2007 from 6pm to 9pm. The exhibition dates are June 9 through July 28, 2007.
Gallery Information:
Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center, 300 W. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766
Information: 909-469-0080
Museum Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12 noon – 6 pm
Second Saturday 12 noon – 9 pm
Gallery Admission: Free
