Micki Spiller commented on your status:
"cant wait to visit you in your new place…I still can’t believe you are not on top of MacDonalds anymore!" 9am
Katarina Wong commented on your status:
"Wishing you all the best in this new part of the AAAC journey!" 830am
Amy ChinCongratulations on the move Bob! 7am
Robert LeeWe’re in! Move completed. At lease it begins. Living out of boxes. After 33yrs a new set of keys! 4am 11/3
Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Dear Eleanor:
What an occasion that must be. I also checked on the website on the comments. They are very moving and some very important. Indeed AAAC grew along with the Asian American movements in the U.S. In the last 35 years. It witnessed the larger social, political and cultural changes of this country, but has also been a part of that change, contributing to that change. But it is also a testament of the difficult position of minority arts and artists in America. You and Bob should be very proud of the achievement and the legacy you left behind….
Have a nice trip to San Diego. You deserve a rest and a ritual break from the past. May be you will contemplate moving to the Pacific Northwest now?
Dagu
Yung, Bell
On Sat, Oct 31, 2009 at11:09 AM
Jeanie,
It would be great to have you involved in AAAC. You are very welcome, your energy could tie in the arts to community issues and make your work even more effective. This will continue to be our goal and mission, even more so as a partner with AAFE. As our ideas develop I will keep you posted.
Yes a Tiny Seed by Nobuko was indeed prophetic. Basement was the source of AAAC beginnings as it was for so many of us on the East Coast. Most cultural activism for Asian Americans can be traced to Basement except perhaps for stand up comedy. That was a later development as the Movement matured that has now put down roots in Hong Kong.
Confucius Plaza had a event yesterday getting all the older tenants to rally for Bloomberg. A poster was up for one day advocating for this event. I wanted to write on it Open Park Row!
Bob
PS. Moving day is Nov 2, 9am
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Sorry for our loss and Congratulations on your new journey
Bob,
This is a tremendous loss for our neighborhood. We don’t know what we’ve lost until it is not there. Due to my hectic schedule and many family health responsibilities, I’d always thought that if I had more time, when I retired, I’d participate more in your groups’ activities. Keep up the excellent work and providing the "voice" of our artistic and cultural community.
Our Basement Workshop reunion reminded me of how widespread are its roots. When Danny Chen and I started working together and formed the Civic Center Residents Coalition to re-open Park Row and successfully regain James Madison Plaza Park next to Police Headquarters through a lawsuit, we held many meetings, rallies, town halls, hearings, etc. During one of those rallies, Danny said I’m going to make silk screened tee shirts to sell as a fundraiser for the lawsuits". I remember saying, "Danny there is too much to do organizing these events and press conferences, we don’t have time to make tee shirts!" He made some anyway. Only recently, I learned that he learned silk screening at Basement Workshop! And what we just learned two weeks ago is that Danny learned this from Wing! It was mind blowing. From there Danny taught it to people in Oakland and other collectives in S.F.
What was started at Basement Workshop was indeed "a seed, a tiny seed" that has influenced the work of many generations in many ways. What was started in Chinatown 40 years ago reverberates to this day in our struggles against not only the re-opening of Park Row, the relocation of Police Headquarters, massive government permit placard abuse, regaining the re-opening of our streets, parks, and roadways block by block, etc. And this seed is present in the tremendous struggle against the reconfiguration of our streets without adequate notice or community input and what we learned was without any DOT pedestrian safety studies or data.
Did you lose your lease as a result of gentrification and rising rents?
I liked what you and Rob Hollander said at the CWG about thinking outside the box and advocating for alternative housing to accommodate the changing composition of what is considered "family units" in our community and country. Communal housing allows for shared resources and less of a carbon footprint on the planet. I hope that one of the committees will take responsibility for incorporating this perspective into their program.
Well, got to go organize for another rally against Bloomberg today.
Take care and thank you.
Jeanie
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 9:28 AM
bon chance at the new location.
Gwon, Steven (White Plains)
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Dear Bob,
Well, it’s a big change for you, especially after so long on the Bowery. But as you say, you are moving closer to where your community is moving to also.
In any case, I want to wish you all the best in your new address..
With all good wishes,
Jack F.
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Dear Bob. I am happy and excited that AAA is coming to our neighbourhood. best, kazuko Miyamoto
Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 2:49 AM
Dear Bob,
How are you? I am sorry to hear about the moving of the space.I am hoping that the new space is better for you.
I was in the 14th.annaul show.I am from SanFrancisco.
peace and thank you,Evri Kwong if you need art for fundraiser you can count me in.
Evri,
In cleaning out and preparing to move a volunteer student just bought one of the T-Shirts you left the year you exhibited here with your drawing/sketch on it.
Bob
Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:52:50 -0400
Dear Bob,
Thats great! the t-shirt sold.. just keep the money.and if you need more art for fundrasier
you can count me in.
peace and thanks,Evri Kwong
Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Bob
drop by to see us on
4 Rivington St, near Bowery
Paddy
Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Dear Mr. Robert Lee,
Thank you for the E-mails. I love Asian American Arts Centre. I am looking froward to see AAAC’s new location. Keep in touch. You have a nice weekend.
Best
Yang, Ke Qin
Sat, Oct 17, 2009 at 3:33 AM
wow, what a big step and change. Hope your new location works well. I plan to visit soon.–julia cowing
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Wow Bob,
The end of an era. And congratulations on the new space. Hope this was not a forced move. But sounds like a ground floor space, which is good. And arguably a location closer to other art venues, could be good for traffic.
Just saw Corky on tv the other night, great to see him being recognized.
I’d like to visit one last time, and see the show. When is a good time to catch you there?
C (chuck Yuen)
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Wow Bob and Eleanor, this is quite a transition! Good luck, and hope it brings new and exciting things.
How’s life otherwise? Onie? Acupuncture? Eleanor, I went to a dinner for the 40th anniversary of graduation from Holy Names. People asked about you.
It was fun.
Carolyn
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 3:25 PM
Hi Bob,
Congratulations on your move. I’m sure you will open new worlds for your center and for the community around you.
It was great to see you at the reunion. I remember so well, you in your blue Chinese jacket in the early 70′s. Now with your beautiful grey hair and Indian top (I have one too), you have graduated into a yogi Buddha! Continue you great works. I look forward to seeing you next year.
Peace and namaste,
Nobuko
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Bob-
Wanted to wish you the best of luck at the new locale, glad you are keeping it going in this horrible economic scenario.
Best-
Evan (from the Newell Campaign) evan_hutchison
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 12:06 PM, Kay Takeda <ktakeda> wrote:
Are congratulations in order? I hope this space is well-suited to your organization’s mission and needs Bob, I know it has been a long struggle to keep the space on Bowery. When will you be “officially” located there —November 1?
All my best
Kay
Landlord’s been pushing since 88′. We’ve pushed back till now. Choice is to change – new life!
Bob
Kay,
We just worked it out. Moving day is Nov 2. Give us a week to settle in. Contact info all the same. First collaborative show with AAFE is Lunar New Year Festival and Exhibition.
Bob
On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 11:35 AM, Shelly Bahl <shellybahl> wrote:
wow, i’m really surprised!!
was this by choice or was AAAC pushed out by the landlord?___
SHELLY BAHL
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 11:48 AM
My heart goes out to you…………gregory
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Hi Bob & Eleanor:
Congratulations on getting this far in one space for over 30 years. I hope your move will be a good one which is a smooth transition to the next chapter for you both and the organization. Sorry I missed you all at the BW reunion but Karl & I were away in California. I saw the piece in SingTao—good work! Did you point me out to the reporter?! Someone saw it and told me about it.
Stay well,
Fay fay
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Hi Bob,
Seeing this announcement, I am both Happy and Sad for you and the Org.
Happy! Because it sounds like the new space may have an easier access, i.e., downstairs.
I am trying to see if I can come to the Good-bye party…; the Studio is in a crucial stage of construction (very last bit),…
I will try to come,
Hope to see you soon,
Yin
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Dear Bob,
I am glad you found a new space.
It is important to have a space to show young Asian American artists!
Could you tell me How I can change the images and content on your web-site.
The most of info you have it up is very old.
Thanks.
Here’s my NYTimes reviews in case you didn’t get it.
best, Jung Hyang
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Hi Bob,
Thank you for sending me the news and activity info of AAAC! Congratulations on your move to the new location! I believe AAAC will play a more important role in servicing the Asian community and Asian art scene in NYC. I look forward to the opportunities of working with you again. Thanks!
Best,
Jiawei
Date: Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Hi Bob,
Congratulations on your new location!
I know you’re busy right now with your move, but when you get a chance, I was thinking that I have a project that would be good to include in my listing in AAAC’s digital archive. It is called "Asian American ? Project".
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~ichan/portfolio/asian-american.html
Let me know if I can send jpegs to you.
Also, do you show performance art at AAAC? I am currently working on a one-woman performance where I tell personal stories, weaving scenes from American films that depict Asians, and Asian American history. I have props on my body while I tell the stories: sculptural books. It’ll be 40 minutes max, but I will have versions of any length; the shortest is 5 min.
All the best,
Irene Chan
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Hi Bob, congrats on the move and thanks for letting us view the archives yesterday…some really great material…we’re going to have to come back and look through more of it. We’ll be coordinating with Na Na. Looking forward to visiting the new space.
Best,
Herb Tam
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Congratulations on your new home Robert!
Ekayani Chamberlin
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Robert,
I wish you all the best in your new location. After the print fair I hope we can get together to find ways we can help one another out. Good luck. Talk with you soon.
Phil Sanders
Director- RBPMW, a program of EFA
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 9:02 AM
Robert – congratulations for the move
Wish gallery all the best for the new location and will visit soon!
Lisa Tan
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Congratulation to your move and new location. We wish your center a great and bright future.
Lai, Shian-Lung
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Congratulations, Bob! and good luck in the new venue!
Yours,
Ayelet