Artist-In-Residence: Haruko Okano
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Centre A: Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art 205-268 Keefer Street (Sun Wah Centre), Vancouver, British Columbia V6A 1X5
Haruko Okano, " Homing Pidgin," 2006
installation view (partial)
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 26, 12 - 4 pm
In conjunction with the artist’s Ocean Flotilla Workshop, 1 - 4 pm
Artist Haruko Okano's residency at Centre A, titled Homing Pidgin, introduces visitors to words and phrases she recovered from a hybrid trade language that was developed and spoken by early settlers during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Pidgin on the west coast incorporated snippets from Chinese, South Asian, French, and Chinook wau wau woven in with portmanteaus or Janglish (a fusion of Japanese and English). Through printed handouts and magnetic strips, along with a small table, chairs, and place settings symbolizing the meeting of two cultures, the viewers are encouraged to learn a little of a lost oral transition. This residency-installation offers an opportunity to experience the challenges of communicating when one is unfamiliar with another’s mother tongue. Gallery hours: Tues to Sat 12 pm - 5 pm.
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