Cynthia Tom

Cynthia Tom | Art Takes Miami 2011

2011-10-09T11:51:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Tom | Art Takes Miami 2011
Can you vote for my work. Today!!! Please help my art career move to the next level. Just click on the link and vote. Can you pass this along to others for me too?, Much appreciation ,Cynthia

Cynthia Tom Open Studio Fall 2011

2011-09-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Tom Open Studio Fall 2011

A Place of Her Own

2011-05-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

Women's Magazine - April 25, 2011 at 1:00pm | KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley: Listener Sponsored Free Speech Radio

2011-05-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

Women's Magazine - April 25, 2011 at 1:00pm | KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley: Listener Sponsored Free Speech Radio

The Artists of "Daily Lives": Chinese Culture Center @ YBCA

2011-04-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

Open Studios Today Saturday April 16 and 17 11-6 pm 1890 Bryant Street Studios-Cynthia Tom's Studio Sale

2011-04-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

1890 Bryant Street Studios-Cynthia Tom's Studio Sale and Petite Flea Market

12 Artists, 8 days Pear Tree Art Store

2010-12-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

12 Artists, 8 days Pear Tree Art Store

thoughts of organization

2010-12-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

I am at a point in my home and my studio that I have to really purge and organize. I tried to do some of it today at home, but had such low energy, motivation, whatever that I see what I want to do in my mind, but just look at the stuff I have to push around. Maybe if I wish hard enough it will happen.
Wish me better luck tomorrow. Where does the time go?

LOCO by Manicato

2010-12-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

12 Artists, 8 days Pear Tree Art Store

2010-11-25T22:51:00.000-08:00

12 Artists, 8 days Pear Tree Art Store

12 Artists, 12 days Pear Tree Art Store

2010-11-23T21:53:00.000-08:00

12 Artists, 12 days Pear Tree Art Store

Pear Tree Art Store
12 artists, 12 days, 3 comfy couches.
Invites you to a mellow way to shop.
Unique art to purchase and art-making opportunities. Don't miss this opportunity to shop locally, do your gift giving different this year. Chill. Peace. Cocktail. (link)

Schedule (over four weekends):
Fridays, 5:00-8:00pm, Nov. 26; Dec. 3, 10, 17
Sundays, 11:00am-3:00pm, Nov. 28; Dec. 5, 12, 19

Sunday workshops onsite, create your own gifts with materials and instruction from Cynthia Tom, Anna Conti, Pam Heyda and more.

Location: 1890 Bryant, #302, San Francisco, CA 94110

A temporary retail store. Come in with wonder and curiosity. Chill with a cocktail, glass of wine or hot apple cider.

Sundays there will be workshops where you can make your own personalized gifts with help from the various artists.

Cynthia will have her collection of blank box purses to collage on. $45 provides the purse, access to her materials (she has a ton) and instruction. Bring whatever you like to collage on for $25.
Anna Conti will be drawing your portraits on her IPAD and send it to you electronically so you can print them out as cards and fine art gifts.

See the www.peartreeart.blogspot.com for more info

MANICATO at de Young this FRIDAY, 11/05

2010-10-31T01:19:00.000-07:00

MANICATO at de Young this FRIDAY, 11/05

More ways to enjoy Cynthia's work

2010-10-26T23:11:00.001-07:00

See more personalized gifts from Zazzle.

Cynthia Tom: Reception night. What a blast to reveal a window and have a crowd cheer. LOVED the moment

2010-10-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Cynthia Tom: Reception night. What a blast to reveal a window and have a crowd cheer. LOVED the moment

VIDEO: Hold the Mayo! 65 Artists Make Art at Former Mayonnaise Factory – Mission Loc@l -- San Francisco Mission District's News, Food, Art and Events

2010-10-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

VIDEO: Hold the Mayo! 65 Artists Make Art at Former Mayonnaise Factory – Mission Loc@l -- San Francisco Mission District's News, Food, Art and Events

Manicato opening for the Puerto Rico's Cultura Profetica at Mezzanine SF

2010-09-14T20:54:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Memories-Art in Storefronts.wmv

2010-09-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

Cynthia will begin changing out her window over the next 3 weeks. Don't miss out on this

initial installation for the SF Arts Commission. 950 Grant Ave., San Francisco (bet. Jackson and Washington Ave) It's inside a large storefront window, 24/7-much more exciting at night, you can drive by and see it clearly. www.cynthiatom.com

Reception night. What a blast to reveal a window and have a crowd cheer. LOVED the moment

2010-06-14T23:10:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Memories Shop. SF Arts Commision Artist

2010-06-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak of the Chinatown Memories Shop.
All of this is thanks to Sue Tom who made the boxes ready to hang and Cris Matos-wonderful man that hung them all, while high on a ladder. Larry Tom for lighting the joint with little to work with in the way of extension cords and one electrical point.

It looks so fabulous. We are all excited and hope you can make the reception or visit the storefront at some point.
June 11, 950 Grant 5-7 and in the alley Wentworth right behind my building there will be food, etc.

Chinatown Memories – Art in Storefronts From Raymond D. Chong-Kubla Khan

2010-06-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Cynthia,

From Texas, I enjoyed your “Chinatown Memories – Art in Storefronts.wmv” on You Tube.

In particular, I saw the Kubla Khan photo cover with Eddie Pond.

Gim Suey Chong, my father, was a partner with Eddie Pond from 1946 to 1950.

Do you have San Francisco Chinatown memories of The Kubla Khan?

I like to get you photo file of Lion Den. Eddie Pond was owner prior to Kubla Khan in 1944.

I am writing a story about The Kubla Khan for CHSA journal.

Kubla Khan Theater Restaurant

At end of World War II, from July 1946 to November 1950, Gim Suey Chong was a partner at the famous Eddie Pond’s Kubla Khan Theater Restaurant. Gim invested his savings in a partnership with Eddie Pond, nightclub owner, and others, during The Golden Age of Chinese Nightclubs.

On July 16, 1923, Eddie Pond had arrived at the Port of Seattle aboard S.S. Jefferson from the Port of Hong Kong under the name of Kwan Pun as a student. His parents were rich owner of a rickshaw company in Hong Kong.

Eddie Pond was a shrewd entrepreneur. Under Pond and Associates on the 4^th floor of the China Trade Center in San Francisco Chinatown, Eddie Pond was involved in real estate as a broker and in insurance as a broker. In the early mornings, Eddie Pond also operated a breakfast club on Grant Avenue and later on Kearny Street, where models posed for artists and photographers. He was a natural lover of the theatre and of the arts. Prior to Kubla Khan, Eddie Pond opened his first nightclub, the “Dragon’s Lair” in Chinatown, at 950 Grant Avenue at the basement of old Kuh Wah Cafe.

Eddie Pond married four times to Goldina Lee, Lonnie Fong, Adele Wong, and Barbara Yung. With Goldina Lee, his first wife, they had three children, Adelilna, Gilbert, and Roger. They were born in San Francisco. The last three wives were all performers from the Kubla Khan.

Eddie Pond grandly opened the Kubla Khan on October 31, 1944. The Kubla Khan was a Chinese theater restaurant and nightclub with bar on 414 Grant Avenue (originally Mandarin Café in 1924). It was at Gateway to San Francisco Chinatown at Grant Avenue and Bush Street It was known for its band entertainment and stage performances. It was a gathering place for dinner, dance, and floor show. Patrons had a choice of either American or Chinese dishes for dinner. People were entertained by performances of all-Chinese revue with mixture of vaudeville and burlesque in the theater. It was spectacle with the splendor of Chinese motif with sumptuous foods.

Kubla Khan was named for “Kubla Khan, or a Vision in a Dream. A Fragment," a classic poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Eddie Pond took the title from the Mongol and Chinese emperor Kublai Khan of the Yuan dynasty.

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan

A stately pleasure-dome decree:

Where Alph, the sacred river, ran

Through caverns measureless to man

Down to a sunless sea.

Eddie Pond’s Kubla Khan was promoted as “San Francisco’s Most Exciting Chinese Theatre Restaurant.” Eddie Pond was a fine showman. He greeted Hollywood and Broadway stars and other celebrities to his exotic palace of splendor.

Ivan Paul, Nite Club Editor of San Francisco Examiner, wrote:

“No need to travel to China for the spell … the mystery … of the Orient. Ankle Chinatown way to the KUBLA KHAN … there it is.”

Eddie Pond was colorful personality and enigmatic individual. Every night , he emceed and performed on the stage. Eddie Pond presented the one-hour program with a Latin theme three times every evening, as “All Chinese Revue.” The program had nine acts:

1. Street Scene

2. Chinese Sleeve Dance

3. Chinese Lullaby

4. Coolie Dance

5. Sing Lee Sings – Chinese Acrobats

6. Sing Song Girls

7. China’s Dancing Sweethearts

8. Oriental Interlude

9. China Conga

In the program, May Lee sings songs. She was known as “exquisite Chinese star of operetta, stage & screen. Sing Lee Sings Troupe performed their circus acrobatics. They were “acrobatic sensations of four continents.” Jadin (Wong) and Li Sun gracefully danced as “America’s romantic Chinese artists of the modern ballroom dance.” Iris Wong, the erotic dancer, performed her “fan dance” in Oriental Interlude before the finale, China Conga. Bill Oetke and his Rumberos, the Latin band, played nightly as “King of the Rumberos.” Walton Biggerstaff was the producer and choreographer. At other times, Eddie Pond danced in the acts and play instruments with the Latin band. He was jovially known as “The Chinese Demon of the Maraccos.”

The Kubla Khan competed with the internationally famous and popular “Forbidden City” nightclub and cabaret by Charlie Low, a friendly rival. “Forbidden City” was featured in the hit “Flower Drum Song” novel (1957), Broadway play (1958), and Hollywood movie (1961). Stanley Toy, the famous tap dancer at “Forbidden City,” was his best friend.

Jadin Wong of the Jadin and Li Sun team first danced at Charlie Low’s “Forbidden City.” She was on the cover of Life Magazine in 1940. She danced in Broadway shows in New York City. Jadin became a comedienne. She operated a talent agency for Asian American artists until her retirement in 2004. Show business was her life.

Before performing at the Kubla Khan, the attractive Iris Wong acted in several Hollywood films, including “The Good Earth.” She played a maid as “Choy Wong” in “Charlie Chan in Reno” and a maid as “Lili Wong” in “Charlie Chan in Rio.” She was “The Number Two Daughter” of Charlie Chan in “Charlie Chan in Honolulu.”

Noel Toy performed her strip tease acts as an erotic dancer, nightly at the Kubla Khan for Eddie Pond. She seductively dazzled audiences with her famous fan dance and bubble dance. She was billed the “Chinese Sally Rand,” a well known burlesque dancer.

Nora Wong, now Elly Chui of Honolulu related her experience as singer, dancer, and emcee at the Kubla Khan (from “Late Night in the Lion’s Den in “Gastronomic” by Harley Spiller).

Later on, Nora worked at Kubla Khan, which she described as “a huge place on the Gateway of Chinatown, still there, a four-story building. I was billed as a Latin-American-Chinese-Vocalist.” As she’s purely Chinese-American, we joked that they must have thought her birth in Arizona qualified as Latin. She did sing some songs in Spanish, like “Besame Mucho” (“Kiss me a lot.”).“It’s still there and was beautiful,” she whispered.

At the Kubla Khan, the dining room and dance floor was in front of the stage on the second floor with a balcony on third floor. A cigarette girl sold various brands of cigarettes and cigars. A lady photographer offered souvenir photos to patrons for their memories. Cocktail waitresses served drinks. The bartender was busy mixing house cocktails at the bar near the cocktail lounge. In the back stage, the Kubla Khan beauties enjoyed the well-appointed dressing rooms. Walton Biggerstaff rehearsed with the singers and dancers.

Frank Yee, a patron as well as friend of Eddie Pond, recalled his times at the Kubla Khan:

During my bachelor days, with my buddies, I was hopping among the Chinese nightclubs in San Francisco Chinatown. Eddie Pond’s Kubla Khan was a fine nightclub at the same class as Charlie Low’s Forbidden City and Andy Wong’s Chinese Sky Room. We brought our dates to watch the entertaining Broadway style shows. We had group parties in the cocktail lounge at the Kubla Khan. Eddie Pond was a very gracious host.

Gim worked quietly as a waiter and as part-time bartender at the Kubla Khan. He dressed in a white coat with black bow tie. He gradually gained confidence and was known as a sharp dresser. Gim was photogenic as he gazed away from camera. He was adapting well to the American way of life. He lived at a room of the Hotel Taylor on 66 Turk Street in the Tenderloin District.

Gim stood at a height of 5 feet 3 ½ inches and weighed about 150 pounds. He had brown eyes. His hair was jet black. Ladies thought that he was quite handsome in sharp dress suit. He had a gentle presence. He had a unique pose in photos when he gazed away from the camera.

On August 15, 1950, Suey Fong Chong, his sister, arrived at the Port of San Francisco from Hong Kong. Gim met her and his two nephews and one niece on the wharf.

The Chinese nightclub business in San Francisco Chinatown was in a slow and gradual decline after World War II. Gim eventually sold out his share of the Kubla Khan. He returned to Los Angeles to live with Moi Chung, his father.

THE KUBLA KHAN OF SAN FRANCISCO CHINATOWN

By Raymond Chong

I journey to San Francisco, The City by the Bay,

To learn about the life of Gim Suey Chong, my father, at the Kubla Khan, a cabaret,

During “The Golden Age of the Chinese Nightclubs” of the late 1940s,

In the fabled place of San Francisco Chinatown.

I wander the bright streets and the dark alleys of mystic Chinatown,

Thru the teeming multitude of residents and tourists,

Among the patter of Toishanese,

By the quaint shops, charming bazaars and Chop Suey cafes.

I sense the foreign smells of old Chinatown,

Pungent fragrance of herbs from the herbal shop,

Sweet scent of incense from the joss house,

Delicious aroma of Cantonese cuisine from the Far East Café.

I shop for merchandise from the mysterious Far East,

For precious jade in display case,

Exquisite silk brocade on mannequin,

Fine teakwood table on the floor.

I browse a curio shop in the realm of Cathay,

The venerable altar for “God of Fortune,”

The Happy Buddha for “Prosperity,”

The Lucky Bamboo plant for “Good Luck.”

I feel the energy of Chinatown, where East meets West,

Elders playing Chinese chess at Portsmouth Square,

Tourists shopping at Sing Chong Building,

Cable cars rolling on the steep slope of California Street.

I walk along the narrow thoroughfare of Grant Avenue,

A rich tapestry of pagoda style buildings in an Oriental world,

Of curved eaves, recessed balconies and gilded facades,

Where pairs of Chinese stone lions guard the restaurants.

I notice the animated crowds at the nightclubs and bars of an alluring night,

The dragon lantern lamp posts lighting the busy streets,

The colorful red lanterns swaying in the foggy air,

The Art Deco neon signs and marquees flickering in the street scene.

I visualize the Chinese nightclubs of yesterday,

Charlie Low’s “Forbidden City,”

Andy Wong’s “Chinese Sky Room,”

Fong Wan’s “Club Shanghai.”

I cheerfully arrive at the Gateway of Chinatown,

Where “Eddie Pond’s Kubla Khan Theater Restaurant” once stood,

In a lime building with Oriental facade and pagoda tower,

With a sublime décor of Forbidden City of Peking.

I anxiously wait for the floor show in the exotic splendor of Kubla Khan,

Drinking at the bar and cocktail lounge,

Eating Chinese and American dishes on a white cloth table,

Dancing on the hardwood floor to the Big Band sounds.

I vividly imagine about “A Night in Chinatown,”

Eddie Pond, “Chinese Demon of the Maracas,” emceeing and performing,

Bill Oetke and Rumberos playing their hot music of Swing Era,

Walton Biggerstaff producing and choreographing an artsy program.

I gleefully admire the glamorous chorus girls in their quick dance numbers,

A lovely May Lee singing “China Lullaby,”

The elegant Jadin & Li Sun, “China’s Dancing Sweethearts,” doing a vigorous ballroom dance,

A gorgeous Iris Wong performing her burlesque feather fan dance in “Oriental Interlude.”

I humbly fantasize about this romantic era of Chinese Nightclubs in Cathay-by-the-Bay,

When Gim Suey Chong was waiter and bartender at the Kubla Khan,

With nostalgic memories of lively Eddie Pond and his spirited entertainers,

On “Grant Avenue, San Francisco, California, USA!”

Old Kubla Khan at the Gateway of San Francisco Chinatown.

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

Eddie Pond.

(Courtesy of Trina Robbins)

Eddie Ponds’ Kubla Khan Theatre Restaurant souvenir photo holder.

(Courtesy of Trina Robbins)

Ed and Aurora Len at Kubla Khan on Memorial Day in 1946.

(Courtesy of Ed Len)

Eddie Pond with Sally Rand, Fan Dancer.

(Courtesy of Trina Robbins)

“A Night in Chinatown” Program

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

“

“A Night in Chinatown” at Kubla Khan.

(Courtesy of Trina Robbins)

Nora Wong, performer at Kubla Khan.

(Courtesy of Elly Chui)

Gim Suey Chong with fellow waiters at Kubla Khan.

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

Portrait of Gim Suey Chong in San Francisco Chinatown.

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

Gim Suey Chong strolling in the streets of San Francisco.

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

Old Hotel Taylor at 66 Turk Street in Tenderloin District

(Courtesy of Chong Family)

Raymond D. Chong, P.E., PTOE, PTP

张伟明

"Zhang Weiming"

Civil Engineer & Traffic Engineer & Transportation Planner

7 Amberstone Drive

Sugar Land TX 77479-5607

USA

281.491.2904 (home)

281.491.2905 (fax)

510.915.9810 (mobile)

raychong@prodigy.net (e-mail)

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jrjung has shared a video with you on YouTube: something you'd enjoy (espec near end) John

2010-06-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

We painted it ORANGE yesterday. After how many years of grey and grafitti. send 950 Grant well wishes

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop art installation

2010-06-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Painted the orange at 950 Grant
The building looks fantastic. Fernando and Martin did this with me and we finished in one day.
If you can imagine this, I was sitting on the side walk on a drop cloth. This part of the sidewalk is terrazzo and relatively clean. Actually I was scooting down the sidewalk as I was cutting in the paint on the bottom of the wall. I had a few very surreal moments. Can't find the words, but hearing all the sounds of Chinatown, baking in the hot sun and painting ORANGE, a good luck color, all hit me in the head in a good way. A memory burned in my brain.
Now to create the inside details of this imaginary store.

before after

Mock Family photos, Angel Island info and mugshots and art protraits

2010-05-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop art installation

2010-05-30T18:06:00.001-07:00

Spoke with a woman artist of Chinese decent living in Leeds, England. Cecilia Yu, called to give the story of her great great grandfather's role in building Chinatown's infrastructure. Is that not amazing? We may collaborate on a art project beyond this SF Arts Commission piece.

Bruce Lee Interview (Part 1)

2010-05-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop - call for memories now through Sept 10

2010-05-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I am doing this imaginary retail shop of memories is to encourage the sharing of stories.
I believe that this will open up the hearts of those who have been touched by Chinatown and that this silence, which I think comes from a few generations of fear based, subliminally passed down to the new generations, constructs that were both from the 1920's-60s Chinese government and the Angel Island Immigration experience, not too mention the extremely violent, government approved racial discrimination of the Chinese from the 1800's and especially between 1900-1970's.
Whew, if someone can rewrite that to make more sense. I welcome that

So the good news: People are talking to people they've never met or have not talked to in years to ask for memories to fill this imaginary shop. Andy Young, the grandson of the owner of Kuo Wah Cafe, Chinatown told me to call Lewis Chin who was the owner of the Lion's Den Night club in their building. Lewis and I had a good chat, he used to manage the Whispers too, the club bill famous acts. Anyway , Lewis dropped by 950Grant to see what was going on, I wasn't there, darn, but he reunited with Andy and shared that he was Andy's great grand Uncle, his father's uncle. That was one of the miraculous things that are starting to happen.
See Andy's story about Kuo Wah below, from the Tiki Central Forum, asking info on this cup they posted.

From Andy Young http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=16072&forum=5&10
Well guys and gals, I finally have some time to chime in on the discussion of the Kuo Wah Restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. My name is Andy Young, and I am the grandson of the original owners of the Kuo Wah.
My Grandfather Chin Mon Wah and his childhood friend Chin Kwok Yen purchased the building in the late 30'. Prior to placing a restaurant in this location it had at the ground floor a photo studio at 942 and stores at 946, 950 Grant Ave. with the remaining two floors above being the Gum Mon Hotel.
At this time they remodeled the building to house the Kuo Wah Cafe at 942 Grant Ave which served American Style food and 946-950 to serve Chinese food. The Lions Den Nightclub was in the basement and its entrance was at 942. This is where the bar was located at that time. The Lions Den had shows featuring Chinese performers that would sing, dance and tell jokes just like all the mainstream nightclubs of the era. The Gum Mon Hotel still remained. Sometime after WW II, I'm guessing the late/mid 50's the Lions Den Nightclub ceased to exist due to the changing times and became a dining room. It's Bar was relocated from the basement to main floor location of the Cafe which served American food. Many politicians, heads of state and other dignataries were hosted. We have the names of the signatories to the United Nations written in Chinese charactors when my grandfather hosted dinner for them when they met in San Francisco in 1945. The Kuo Wah I'm told was the premier restaurant in Chinatown and was know world wide, as we had very good P.R. people.
In the early 60' my father Andy who by that time became general manager again undertook major construction. The Lions Den basement, main floor Kuo Wah Cafe and second floor hotel rooms were remodeled into a single restaurant called the Kuo Wah Restaurant instead of "cafe". A new bar was built in the basement, the kitchen was relocated from the main floor to the basement. A second remodel of the existing bar took place and the 2nd floor hotel rooms were cleared to make way for a 300+ person dining room. An outdoor courtyard was created at the front entrance of the building so that diners could sit out on nice days to eat or have cocktails. Between 65' and 68' there was nightclub in the basement called the Dragon a' go go which featured local bands. The group that I remember the most are call "The Whispers". They still tour. We also hosted lunch once a month for a "Theater in the Round" where Hollywood movie stars that were in town met the press. I have pictures of Bette Davis, Rip Torn, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, Buster Keaton and others. The general theme of the place was that of an old rustic Chinese Village. This is the period time that we started to offer the free "Tiki" ware with any of the exotic poylnesian drinks. I think we purchased exclusivley from the Otegrei company in San Francisco to supply the Mugs. This continued until 1975 at which time we sold the restaurant to investors which rebuilt once again to make a Hong Kong style dim sum eatery. Those places that have the delicasies pushed around in carts by little old ladies and you can point at what you would like to eat. At this time the restaurant was still called Kuo Wah. Since then the restaurant changed hands two more times to the present. It's name for the last 20 yrs or so has been Grand Palace.
I found a case of the Sil Sengung God of Longevity Mugs that had San Francisco spelled "San Erancisco" so funny. Passed them out all the relatives for keepsakes.
The infrastructure of the building had taken a real beating and in 2005 we started to remodel. I hope another restaurant will take over as the history of the space is amazing.
To Tiki Josh... all your info is correct.
When I have a chance I'll post pix of some of the items I've saved.
Rgds,
Andy

Cynthia Tom's Original Art in Storefront proposal drawing

2010-05-22T22:46:00.000-07:00

Original Mock up for Art in Storefronts Program.Things have changed since then, no I have one window and somewhat color restricted

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop - call for memories now through Sept 10

2010-05-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop - call for memories now through Sept 10

SFAC's Art in Store Fronts -950 Grant building on the inside

2010-05-21T10:31:00.000-07:00

The interior hard scape items being built by Somarts staff Zee and Zach

Send your memories and photos of childhood in Chinatown to chinatownmemories@googlegroups.com

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop art installation

2010-05-17T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the storefront that I am working from. 950 Grant Ave. My space is the window, doors and sign on the right hand side. I think I am going to bring the orange from the wall tile above to the bottom for the "Shop"
I would have loved to have the whole front, but will make this sing.....I am hoping. Cris's Band-Manicato is the photographer and my collaborator and as always, super talented in composition.
I was going to paint the outside this week , but it is raining. Again.
Shopping at Kamei Restaurant Supply on Clement St. today. They have lots of Chinatown kind of items, like take out boxes. I can't wait to look around at all the stuff there.

a photo of Chinatown 1900, pre-earthquake

There is a wealth of photographs of Chinatown through the last century. Uncovering treasures.

Stayed tuned.

2010-05-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

Spent this entire cold Sunday on the internet searching for all kinds of images and memories of Chinatown on the Internet. DurianDave Blogspot has an overwhelmingly amazing collection of many subjects, restaurants, the old theaters, nightclubs, photos of places that no longer exist in Chinatown. Thank you whoever you are.

I also found out that 950 Grant Ave, the vacant storefront was home to the infamous Kuo-Wah Cafe and the Lion's Den. If I'd known the address when I submitted my proposal to the arts commission, I would have done something on the Lion's Den night club.

Works in progress for Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop - SF ARts Commission Art in Storefronts June-Sept 2010

2010-05-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

Just a teaser image (notice the pennies) of one of the projects I am working on for the

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop-imaginary retail store of new and used memories of

your childhood in SF Chinatown. To contribute send to cynthiatom6@gmail.com, photos and stories accepted, no limits

Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop art installation

2010-05-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

From 12-12 yesterday, I worked on the slide show for the CCMS installation. It took way longer than I anticipated and I am still not finished. I more images to scan and more memories to type in .
Can wait to see images and the memories of others outside of the Mock/Tom family. In the meantime, we have lots to work with.
Brainstormed with Sue Tom about "food wrapping/container" icons that are Chinatown. Newspaper wrapped groceries, no brown bags, the PLASTIC BAG another favorite amongst the shoppers in Chinatown, the Take Out box and the Pink Box for baked goods and dimsum.
I am thinking of installing all of the above on a proper bookshelves. The objects would have their captions like a piece in a museum. Newspaper bag-Circa 1920-1940s in the collection of Sue Tom.
We will see. I am going to Kamei Restaurant Supply on Clement St in SF next week to see what they have.

2010-05-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Collecting childhood memories for Chinatown Childhood Memory Shop-an imaginary retail store of new and used memories to buy sell trade, etc.
It's been interesting to hear of the great conversations people like my mother are getting into with their friends when she brings up the art project. She is helping me to uncover child memories of others and opening up a part of the heart that hasn't seen the light of day for decades.
How exciting to put this refreshed energy into the atmosphere.

2010-05-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have been in discussion with Monica Walters, exec. director for Cameron House (named for Donaldina Cameron-a brave woman that faced the Chinese Human Traffickers in the 1800s-1900s in Chinatown and saved many Chinese girls and women) about working on a Healing project for their long time members and subjects of abuse by a male minister at Cameron House about mid 1900s. So sad that he ruined and spoiled so many lives. I have been working on A Place of Her Own for AAWAA (Asian American Women Artists Assoc.) and that's what brought me to Monica and Cameron House
www.aplaceofherown.org

I just found out my little Chinese Deli in Mill Valley's owner Susie's daughter goes to Cameron House and she is amongst the young people I may be working with to help collect stories

2010-05-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

So many miracles in timing and connections are falling out of the sky. I do have to say I've spent the last 12 months telling myself that the money and guidance will show up. Trust the timing and all that stuff.

Well the money is still just a lot of possibilities, but stronger than 6 months ago. I can safely say that the economy is still not providing artists with income, but we are all hopeful and productive.

This painting ended up being named for Joe Sam, who in no uncertain terms told me I wouldn't realize my potential as an artist until I paid attention to my ethnicity.
I think that was back in 1993. He was so right.
Titled: Joe Sam Prophesized

Spring Open Studios April 23-25, 2010 in the San Francisco MIssion

2010-04-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

www.cynthiatom.com
www.1890bryant.com
www.missionartistsunited.org

2010-03-26T00:30:00.001-07:00

Works in progress for Spring Open Studios at 1890 Bryant St. in San Francisco

2010-03-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

Family humor runs deep with the young 'uns

2010-01-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

Finally spent quality time with my nephews and a band was born. The Why?
Their first song, music by Ricky Tom, existentialist angst and lyrics by Charly Tom

quandry about curation

2009-12-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

So, AAWAA is beginning to plan for A Place of Her Own and as the leader of the project I may, yet again have my art relegated to an afterthought yet again. So, I am beginning to think that I should bring on outside Curators and submit my work along with the other artists for A Place of Her Own, at SOMarts in May 2010. I want to do something amazing, stunning, and all those things artists want to achieve with installation. I have lots of big ideas and want to let it explode all over SOMarts.