Art is Life! 4th Annual Art at the Capitol, March 2, 2012

“Closed Form” by Toshiko Takaezu, 2000, Shigaraki clay fired in Japan (located in Senate President Shan Tsutsui’s Office) Credit: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

 The Hawai‘i State Legislature will open its doors for March’s First Friday event with the 4th Annual “Art at the Capitol.” This is a unique opportunity for the public to view over 460 works of art placed in the offices of legislators and executive offices. The event will be held on Friday, March 2, 2012 from 5 to 7 p.m., with a short program on the third floor to start at 4:45 p.m.

The works of art placed in the offices of the Hawaii State Capitol are a part of the State’s Art in Public Places Collection (APP). Attendees will be able to visit fifty-two offices in both the House and the Senate, including the Public Access Room. This year, the Offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor are joining the event for the first time.

During the event, guests will enjoy entertainment featuring live chamber music by quartets from Punahou and Hawaii Youth Symphony, and be able to mingle with artists and lawmakers. Some of the artists in attendance will be Ron Ken, Laura Ruby, Lori Uyehara, Ruthadell Anderson and Darrell Orwig.

“Sugar in the Raw” by Romolo Valencia, 2006, digital and mixed media on paper (located in Rep. Gilbert Keith-Agaran’s Office) - Credit: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts

“Lava Cliffs” by Reuben Tam, 1961, oil painting (located in Off. Of the Governor) – Credit: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Two short films documenting the history behind the Aquarius mosaic, located in the rotunda, and the two wall tapestries hanging in the Senate and House Chambers, will be shown on the fourth floor. Keiko Sato, Tadashi Sato’s sister, shares her perspective on the renowned artist’s journey to creating Aquarius. Ruthadell Anderson, creator of the Senate and House tapestries, takes viewers back in time to when she and her team spent hundreds of hours weaving the pieces of art.

For a preview of some of the art in the offices, a video series called “Art at the Capitol 2012: What’s on your wall?” can be found on the Art at the Capitol YouTube and Facebook accounts.
New videos featuring a lawmaker talking about artworks from their office will be posted daily until the day of the event. The YouTube link is http://www.youtube.com/artatthecapitolhi, and the Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/artatthecapitolhawaii.

“Each year this event keeps getting bigger and better,” said Senator Brian Taniguchi, who has led efforts to open the Capitol on First Friday. “Our State Capitol is like the Louvre in Paris, where we house a vast collection of art in a variety of mediums. We are lucky to be able to display these amazing works of art in our offices, and we wanted to make it more convenient for people to come in and see them all at once, to get the full impact of the collection.”

“Life without art is to exist, with art is to live,” added Rep. Isaac Choy, who coordinates efforts on the House side to bring Art at the Capitol alive each year. “That’s my philosophy and the reason why I appreciate creativity and supporting our local artists. Imagine our state buildings without the ‘Art in Public Places Program’. We wouldn’t have these amazing pieces that enhance our environment, perpetuate our history and culture, and bring to us greater appreciation for the islands.”

“Wa‘a Hoe #2” by Wright Bowman, Sr., 2001, koa wood (located in Rep. Mele Carroll’s office) - Credit: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Works of art are placed in public areas of the State Capitol as part of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ “Art in Public Places” program, which seeks to enhance the environmental quality of state public buildings and spaces for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public; cultivate the public’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of visual arts; contribute toward the development and recognition of a professional artistic community; and acquire, preserve, and display works of art expressive of the character of the Hawaiian Islands, the multicultural heritage of its people, and the various creative interests of its artists. The program was established in 1967, and was the first program of its kind in the nation.