Philadelphia Asian Performing Artists presents Philly Asian Futures

Elders look to the past, and the future

These pieces are grounded in the past through listening circles held with local Asian elders. Facilitated by Mieke D and Izzy Sazak, the artists listened as elders reminisced about what was important to them to feel a sense of home—music, food, community, connection. Many refugees had fears of a second displacement from their homes. either through gentrification or their children moving them away from tight-knit communities.

These conversations illuminated history, the metamorphosis of communities over time, and the importance of Chinatown as a third space. Many elders had trepidation about bold dreams about the future, having lived through so much trauma. According to participating artist Lex Thammavong, “many of our parents and grandparents have survived unspeakable things. As children of refugees, it is our birthright, burden, and gift to imagine how future generations could thrive.”

A rare Asian-centered artistic space

PAPA partnered with Asian Arts Initiative, SEAMAAC (a Philly immigrant and refugee advocacy organization), Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, and the Chinatown Friends Senior Care Center as part of the interview process.

Inspired by these oral histories, artists developed their pieces in smaller groups over the past year. “Through PAF, I am connecting and collaborating with local Asian artists whom I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I'm so grateful and excited to be expanding my artistic practice in such a supportive Asian-centered production space, which I haven’t experienced before," says participating artist Alex Shaw.

Despite disparate artistic backgrounds, there are commonalities in themes among the pieces. Southeast Asian Time Nomad by Thammavong, Amrita and Kalinda’s Most Excellent Adventure by Sarbani Hazra, Ninuno by Josh Marquez, and Ancestors in Training Cooking School by Mieke D explore the echoes of the past in the future, with some leveraging the fantastical to explore multiplicities of the future. Bountiful Garden by Marcie Mamura and Pearls of Our Dragoon by Shaw create spaces for collective attunement and connection. Birthright by Juptei Singh, Coming Home by Geatali Tampy, and Tracer by Daniel Kim explore concepts of identity and home.

Join the conversation

The installation will culminate in a public forum on October 26, co-curated with Asian Americans United, exploring the intersection of art and organizing. This partnership was inspired by the powerful work and coalition of artists and activists in the No Arena Chinatown fight. The event seeks to build power and community among artists, activists, and community members.

Philly Asian Futures is an immersive, historically grounded practice of collective imagination and hope for the future of the Pan-Asian communities in Philly. I would not want to miss it.