On Tue, 30 Jan 1996, Robert Barlow wrote:

> Is anyone else planning on going to this?  I know there are a few U.W. people
> on this ML.

Here are the reviews of JPOP at the COCA in Seattle.

From: "Michael"
Subject: Re: J-POP/COCA

Location:	 8	It was in Seattle, after all; but the location
			*within* Seattle -- in a small warehouse/gallery --
			was really disappointing
Atmosphere:
  People:	 2	Stereotypical eclectic Artsy-Fartsy crowd 
  Music:	 2	Some heavy dance-hall drumbeats drowning conversation
			and the two TV screens of anime film trailers --
			definitely non-Japanese, definitely non-anime music
  Decor:
    Artwork:	 8	Lithographs hanging on 1/2 the available wall space
			by the artist who did the ending credit montage
			from _Wings of Honneamise_; Onishi (sp?) himself was
			there signing his artbook
    Shoes:	 0	Why the heck were shoes on display?
    TV:		 4	They had two TVs showing trailers from various
			anime including Tenchi Muyo!, Akira, and various
			"H" (adult) anime titles -- low rating due to poor
			presentation: encouragement of violent/adult
			stereotype
    Models:	 7	They had Theo's models, and some of the wonderfully
			painted	kits from the Int'l Model Toys shop
    Posters:	 5	They had translucent posters (est. sale price $100+)
			from 3x3 Eyes (1), Oh! My Godess (2), the American
			(ick!) Dirty Pair (1), something "H" called 
			"Temptation" (3-4) -- low rating despite good artwork
			due to poor choice of focus on "H" stereotype
    Senshi:	 3	You tell me if you think it projects a reasonable
			image to see two caucasian women greeting people
			(if you call looking at the patrons with the same 
			cynical	nose-in-the-air attitude the art-groupies wore
			"greeting") entering the gallery, dressed in 
			SMoon-esque costumes, toting _BEER BOTTLES_?
  Refreshments:  0	Why were they serving beer?  To drug the audience 
			into appreciating the art more?  No wonder the art
			community has such a lackluster reputation.
  Stuff 4 sale:	 6	a good example of what you can get in local comic
			stores, except for the "H" manga; they had Pioneer
			T-shirts, incl. an El Hazard T-shirt, Pioneer LDs,
			VHS tapes of Pioneer and Viz titles -- BUT, they
			didn't have any CDs on sale on opening night; they
			thought their shipment would arrive sometime in
			February

Overall:	 4	Lame presentation, lame crowd, lame venue.
			Our HUB Art Gallery was better, more focussed 
			than this.

Note that I'm judging this from the point of view that their intention 
was to promote Japanese Culture and Art via anime, in a manner that would 
appeal to their audience without playing to their baser instincts.

Wrong.


P.S. I daydream about kicking all those skaters and posers back out into
the cold and yanking those beer bottles out of the costumed-senshi's
hands.  *sigh*


From: Noelle
Subject: Re: J-POP/COCA

okay - 
coming from an art perspective, the event was a traditional showing of 
pop-art.  if you have explored the Smithsonian Museum of Modern Art (art 
which influences commercial, graphic and fashion design), it is nearly 
identical in structure, form, and function.  it reminded me of the 
Roy Lichtenstein display seen in D.C last winter.... I think that it would
easy for die-hard anime fans dismiss this showing for lack of depth, 
and probably "misrepresenting" anime, but you must remember that a 
(probably) good 80% of the people at the showing have never seen anime 
before.  this was their first exposure to this culture as an artform, and 
any exposure to this (as i would call it) neoexpressionism through anime 
is a step in the right direction to get anime more mainstream.  

as for the anime aspect of this showing (in contrast to the 
counterculture rejection of traditional bourgeois life art form), it 
sucked.  i really wanted a Macross Plus II cd.  

-- noelle


From: "Aaron"
Subject: Re: J-POP/COCA

On Mon, 29 Jan 1996, Noelle wrote:
> and probably "misrepresenting" anime, but you must remember that a 
> (probably) good 80% of the people at the showing have never seen anime 
> before.  this was their first exposure to this culture as an artform, and 

It still doesn't explain why these 80% must be deceived with 30 hentai 
images and _1_ non-hentai image. As they say, first impressions are often 
lasting impressions: Is this image of 'ecchiness' what you'd like as a 
lasting image? Especially considering that it _isn't_ representative of 
the majority of anime.

Aaron


Additional Quotes:

"It's a tragedy that anime was there."

"The only piece of anime there that I was proud of is on our ADP 
membership cards."

"Then there was the shrine o' hentai."

"Miyuki-chan does Seattle."




> v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v 
> ---------- Forwards Deleted ----------
> Date: Sun, 22 Jan 1995 23:00:10 +1130 (???)
> From: Rei 
> Got the official announcement from the store today.
> [Copies available at Wonderworld Comics (on University Way).]
> 
> (I'm going to summarize, as this thing is a page long.)
> 
> =====
> 
> Friday, Jan 26th  ---  Saturday, March 9th.
> 
> Center of Contemporary Art - Seattle
> 65 Cedar Street , Seattle, WA  98121
> (206) 728-1980
> 
> Sponsored by PONCHO, Japan Foundation, Kinokuniya, WSAC, NEA, CCFTA,
> Exhibit Group, Dark Horse, FantaGraphics.
> 
> Gala opening 8:00pm  Friday, Jan. 26th.
> 
> Japanese Pop Culture Arcade showcases the work of Japanese writers,
> musicians, filmmakers, animators and comic artists - including
> Tezuka(Astroboy, Kimba) and Mr. Onishi (Wings of Honnemise).
> 
> Jello Kitty Arch and Fountain, featuring the popular Japanese feline
> ambassador herself.
> 
> Avante garde lounge muzik piped in by Jeffery Taylor and James Wood.
> 
> Japan-O-Rama Arcade & Retail Starship explodes with pulsing light and
> sound.  Japanese CD ROM games and an intense anime experience booth
> provide the sensory thrills while overhead an 18 foot wide-screen
> multi-media biltz showers the room with a collage of sound and anime action.
> 
> "Why Not", a retail enviroment scientifically engineered to accommodate
> and satisfy that sudden peculiar craving for anime.
> 
> PLUS:
> 
> Japan-O-Rama Fashion Show:
> 
> February 18th, 8:00pm
> The Catwalk Club
> 174 S. Washington
> Seattle, WA  98104
> (206) 622-1863
> Tickets $10  (availabe at the club)
> 
> Seattle Designer *Maria Carr* leads a group of over 20 clothing designers
> and textile artists for this special take on Japanese fashion, from pop
> to traditional with a twist.  The full collection will be unveiled at the
> fashion show.  Items from the show will on display at COCA.
> 
> 
> Japan-O-Rama Thrillshow Spectacular:
> 
> All ages show with Japanese bands and entertainment at COCA.  -=TBA=-
> Wednesday night showcases at Moe Rockin Cafe in February.  Call COCA at
> (206) 728-1980 for listings.
> 
> 
> Tuesday Night Anime Series:
> 
> Every Tuesday night, COCA presents and evening of Japanese anime
> varieties including: Molediver, Super Cat Girl and Ranma.  Expect the
> unexpected.
> 
> 
> Gallery Hours:
> 
> Tues-Sun:	11:00am - 6:00pm
> Daily Admission: $2 general, COCA members free.
> 
> 
> 

*****   Dark Shadow   *****

The "Supreme God of Documentation White Space" in Dogbert's New Ruling Class.

Undercover Suzzallo-CRC inspector.

"Yes, I actually have a TIP patch on my camos."

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