BETWEEN LINE & THREAD 界與線之間

Connecting the Asian American Arts Centre Collection

“Between Line and Thread” uses the literal lines and threads and metaphorical representations of connection in the works of the Asian American Arts Centre (AAAC) collection to explore the web between the works, the artists, and the organizations that made this exhibition possible. By stripping the works down to their core elements–line, thread, wire, rope, marks, and even text, the ahistorical aesthetic framework reveals that the visually differing forms contain an unseen link that investigates the past as their visual supplier. That shared starting point is one of AAAC’s guiding collecting principles. Founded in 1974 by Robert Eng Lee and Eleanor Yung, the AAAC was originally the Asian American Dance Theater. Legally changed to the AAAC in 1987, the center produced art exhibitions, dance and other workshops for the benefit of Asian American communities in New York. Always striving toward an equitable world, AAAC’s exhibitions and collections have consistently featured Asian American artists alongside Black, Latinx, Native American, and Caucasian artists alike.

《界與線之間》美術展覽是紐約市亞美藝術中心以收藏品的線條和隱喻來探索藝術家,作品和組織之間的關係。亞美藝術中心 由 Robert Eng Lee 和 Eleanor Yung 於1974 年創立，最初名為亞裔美國舞蹈劇院。該中心於 1987 年合法更名為亞美藝術中心，專為紐約的亞裔、非裔、拉丁裔、美洲原住民和白人藝術家社區舉辦美術展覽、舞蹈表演和其他研討會和工作坊, 致力於實現一個公平的文化共同體。

For more information about the exhibit, find the press release here.

Exhibit-Related Events

The exhibition “Between Line & Thread” is curated by Sophia Ma (马琳), with the generous support of and the institutional context provided by Robert Eng Lee, AAAC, the invaluable research assistance and writing of Colleen Dalusong, and graphic design by Meg Chew.

Think!Chinatown is a place-based intergenerational non-profit in Manhattan’s Chinatown, working at the intersection of storytelling, arts and neighborhood engagement. We believe the process of listening, reflecting and celebrating develops the community cohesion and trust necessary to work on larger neighborhood issues. By building strength from within our neighborhood, we can shape better policies and programs that define our public spaces, celebrate our cultural heritage and innovate how our collective memories are represented.

Asian American Arts Centre (AAAC), established in 1974, is one of the earliest Asian American community arts organizations in the country. Choreographer Eleanor Yung (an original member of the seminal collective Basement Workshop) co-founded AAAC as the Asian American Dance Theatre (AADT) with the support of her partner Bob Lee, who would become the eventual director. In 1987, the dance theatre and visual arts program evolved into the AAAC. Through these changes and evolutions, the mission always remained the same: to promote and support Asian American art and artists.

Chinatown Arts Festival is a month-long festival celebrating the cultural richness of Manhattan’s Chinatown with musical and dance performances, storytelling projects, film screenings, community workshops, art exhibitions, a block party, and so much more! This series of cultural programs hosted by Think!Chinatown presents traditional Chinatown artists, and emerging Asian American artists in context and dialogue with each other, bringing the generations together and making connections with a wider arts audience. The festival also highlights cultural happenings presented by neighboring organizations and artists to increase awareness of Chinatown’s cultural assets.