EXPAT ART SHOW: "Calling into the Void," a collection of artworks by seven Middle Eastern and Islamic artists, is curated by Saratogan Nazanin Shenasa, who is also one of the artists in the show. The exhibit is at Works Gallery in San Jose through Oct. 29 and hours are noon-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Thursdays.
The artists selected reflect their condition as expatriates, straddling what may be diametrically opposed cultures. The exhibition brings together concepts of displacement from home and reconstruction.
Shenasa is a textile artist and independent curator; Suha Araj is a San Francisco visual and performing artist; Reza Aramesh is a London-based installation and performance artist and curator; Hasan Elahi is a digital media and installation artist and Rutgers University assistant professor; Taraneh Hemami is a San Francisco installation artist; Hiba Kalache is an Oakland installation artist; and Said Nuseibeh is a San Francisco photographer. Their works fill the void caused by displacement, creating a dialogue between artist and viewer, exploring the relationship between person and place, cultural heritage and assimilation.
Shenasa likens the urge to embellish with the exile's need to put down roots and construct a surrogate world to replace the void created by separation. Each artist expresses a version of home from fractured memories of the past and also embraces the culture absorbed.
The Islamic aesthetic is a complex one, a rich, abstract decorative tradition. Westerners view it as a fear of empty space. The work produced by these Eastern transplants provides a wider understanding of the cultural differences and similarities between immigrants old and new.
TASTE OF JAPAN: Hakone will host an "Autumn Taste of Japan" Oct. 23, 2-5 p.m., featuring three top Japanese restaurants--from Palo Alto, SF and Sausalito--to celebrate Hakone's 90th anniversary. Each restaurant's signature cuisine will be offered and a tasting panel will participate.
A special showing of the movie Memoirs of a Geisha will be held on Dec. 9 at a Camera Cinema yet to be determined. Columbia Studios filmed this movie at Hakone in January. Glimpses of Hakone appear in the movie trailer at www.themoviebox.net/movies/2005/IJKLM/Memoirs-of-a-Geisha/trailer.php.
GALA: The Montalvo Service Group will hold its annual gala Oct. 28 to celebrate its hard-working members and new provisionals. The villa decoration theme will be masquerade and handmade Venetian masks will be on display.
Baritone Jon Jensen, accompanied by pianist Sue Fettchenhauer, will provide pre-dinner music. Dinner by Pat Smith catering and dancing will complete the evening.
Montalvo Service Group's annual projects include summer luncheons, and educational outreach activities for children, families and teachers. The Christmas Tea, Mother's Day and Easter family luncheons are also under its purview.
INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS: Saratogan Ann Burris managed Ten Thousand Villages in Los Gatos before its closure. Now her efforts are bent toward the International Gift Faire, to be held Oct. 14-15 at Lincoln Glen Fellowship Hall, San Jose. Burris, a former chairperson of the event, is now a decorator.
The mission of Ten Thousand Villages is to provide jobs and a market for Third World artisans. "I feel a deep affinity with struggling women in other parts of the world who see no options. Through the fair we can help provide them with options," she says. Saratogan Sandy Gant shares the mission and volunteers, too.
Those from Los Gatos volunteering are Ken and Dee Pannabecker, Cindy Strickland, Zina Lou Dyer and Kim Martin Main. On sale is pottery from Vietnam, batiks from India, baskets from Uganda, and jewelry from Taureg tribes, crafted by Sahara silversmiths.
Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The hall is at 2700 Booksin; www.internationalgiftfaire.com.
FROM COMMISSION TO COMMITTEE: Because there is no longer a Saratoga Arts Commission, a new committee has been formed at the request of Dolly Barnes, library director. Members are Geetanjali Arunkumar, Mary Ann Henderson, Bonnie Stone and Mary Lou Taylor.
The new committee is charged with selecting paintings or photographs for the library's Art Wall and will continue with duties much as they were when it was called a commission.
FLEET WEEK BOOKS: The Book-Go-Round celebrates Fleet Week during the month of October by offering an exceptional collection of books on naval history and architecture. History buffs and ship model builders can select from more than 100 titles about U.S., Japanese, British, German and Soviet navies.
Additional books on aircraft will be added mid-month. The Book-Go-Round at Oak Street and Saratoga-Los Gatos Road is open noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit the Saratoga Library. Mary Jeanne Fenn is chief honcho.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook