Think you know about geisha culture? Think again. Explore ideas expressed in Seduction: Japan’s Floating World that we’ve been pondering about fantasy, constructed realities and the perpetuation of specific narratives about the pleasure quarter through the personal lens of Tatsu Aoki, who grew up in his grandmother’s geisha house in Tokyo. The talk will introduce museum audiences to the unique perspective of an artist—male, in particular—with intimate knowledge of modern geisha culture, as well as the artistic training of geisha—an early influence on Tatsu's musical training. Tatsu appears in conversation with Laura Allen, Asian Art Museum curator of Japanese art.
Musician, filmmaker and professor Tatsu Aoki grew up in a family that booked and trained geisha in downtown Tokyo. Before the economic and social changes of the 1960s forced many family businesses to close, Aoki received geisha cultural training and became part of the family’s performing crew at the age of four. Aoki performed in the early 70s during the Tokyo underground arts movement, joining the Japanese experimental music ensemble Gintenkai. After coming to the U.S. in 1977, Aoki studied experimental filmmaking at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is a professor of film, video and new media.
show less
Musician, filmmaker and professor Tatsu Aoki grew up in a family that booked and trained geisha in downtown Tokyo. Before the economic and social changes of the 1960s forced many family businesses to close, Aoki received geisha cultural training and became part of the family’s performing crew at the age of four. Aoki performed in the early 70s during the Tokyo underground arts movement, joining the Japanese experimental music ensemble Gintenkai. After coming to the U.S. in 1977, Aoki studied experimental filmmaking at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is a professor of film, video and new media.
Think you know about geisha culture? Think again. Explore ideas expressed in Seduction: Japan’s Floating World that we’ve been pondering about fantasy, constructed realities and the perpetuation of specific narratives about the pleasure quarter through the personal lens of Tatsu Aoki, who grew up in his grandmother’s geisha house in Tokyo. The talk will introduce museum audiences to the unique perspective of an artist—male, in particular—with intimate knowledge of modern geisha culture, as well as the artistic training of geisha—an early influence on Tatsu's musical training. Tatsu appears in conversation with Laura Allen, Asian Art Museum curator of Japanese art.
Musician, filmmaker and professor Tatsu Aoki grew up in a family that booked and trained geisha in downtown Tokyo. Before the economic and social changes of the 1960s forced many family businesses to close, Aoki received geisha cultural training and became part of the family’s performing crew at the age of four. Aoki performed in the early 70s during the Tokyo underground arts movement, joining the Japanese experimental music ensemble Gintenkai. After coming to the U.S. in 1977, Aoki studied experimental filmmaking at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is a professor of film, video and new media.
read more
Musician, filmmaker and professor Tatsu Aoki grew up in a family that booked and trained geisha in downtown Tokyo. Before the economic and social changes of the 1960s forced many family businesses to close, Aoki received geisha cultural training and became part of the family’s performing crew at the age of four. Aoki performed in the early 70s during the Tokyo underground arts movement, joining the Japanese experimental music ensemble Gintenkai. After coming to the U.S. in 1977, Aoki studied experimental filmmaking at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he is a professor of film, video and new media.
show less
Date/Times:
Asian Art Museum
410 Upcoming Events
200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.