Department Exhibits for 2012
Asia Collection
Afghanistan: Displays of Photos and Books
04/18/12 - 06/29/12
The Asia Collection currently features several photographic series’ and an exhibit of books about Afghanistan.
On the 4th floor is a display titled “Grace and Dignity: An Afghan Photo Essay,” that consists of 20 black and white photographs--portraits and landscapes--taken by Dr. James Weir (Director, Muslim Societies of Asia and the Pacific—MSAP) and edited by Lorenzo Rinelli. This series was taken in 2005 when Dr. Weir traveled the countryside of northwestern Afghanistan collecting life stories for his dissertation. The images, according to Dr. Weir, “convey the grace, reliance and dignity of many Afghans, amidst a harsh landscape and an even harsher political history.” This is accompanied by an exhibit of books, titled “Everyday and Ordinary Afghanistan,” that are recent acquisitions of the Asia Collection, selected and organized by Philip Whitford, LIS Intern in the Asia Collection. To accompany the exhibit of books, Philip created a guide to those resources. On the 3rd floor is a selection of photographs titled “In and Around Kabul, Afghanistan,” taken in 2011, by Paul Rausch, Associate Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
These displays present recent images of Afghanistan that highlight people and places. They aim to counter the media images of the U.S. military presence in that country and to educate viewers by providing a different perspective. The displays were funded by the Library Administration and James Weir (Director of MSAP), coordinated by Monica Ghosh (South Asia Librarian) and mounted with the assistance of Teri Skillman (Library Events Coordinator), Etsuko Chopey (Library Technician), and Linda Laurence (Library Technician).
Circle of Performers: Randai Theatre of West Sumatra
01/19/12 - 04/09/12
Randai is a rare theatre form of dance-drama that originated among the matrilineal Minangkabau ethnic group of West Sumatra. This dynamic form of folk theatre includes unique features such as a circle of martial arts "silat" dancers; pants-slapping percussion; as well as traditional acting, singing, and music.
The exhibit provides background for Kennedy Theatre's "in-the-round" production of The Genteel Sabai, February 3-12th. Photographs on exhibit include: the two visiting randai masters, Musra Dahrizal and Jasrial Jamaluddin; the director Dr. Kirstin Pauka, professor of Asian and cross-cultural theatre at UHM; and student actors and dancers who have undergone six months of intensive training for the performance. Also on exhibit are pieces of costume clothing and Asia Collection books and journals relating to silat martial arts, randai theatre, and the Minangkabau people.
This exhibit was created by Asia Collection technician Linda Laurence with Rohayati Paseng, Southeast Asia librarian and randai production cast member. Dr. Kirstin Pauka and Kennedy Theatre publicity staff provided the costume pieces, images, and the poster. Assistance was also received from technician Etsuko Chopey and student assistant Justin Tao.
Science and Technology
Government Documents
Hawaiian/Pacific Collections
Hawaii Digital Newspaper Project
New Hawaiian/Pacific Collections Exhibit: The "Hawaii Digital Newspaper Project" display showcases news articles, advertisements, and political cartoons from the pages of historical Hawaii newspapers. Exhibit captions explain how researchers use those newspaper sections. The conference poster describes the project, in which Hamilton Library digitizes various microfilmed Hawaii newspapers for the Chronicling America website (http://chroniclingamerica.com/newspapers/?state=Hawaiiðnicity=&language=). Librarians Martha Chantiny and Joan Hori serve as co-principal investigators of the project, and Erenst Anip serves as the project manager. Graduate research assistant Alice Kim created the exhibit. For more information on the project, visit https://sites.google.com/a/hawaii.edu/ndnp-hawaii/Home. To access the Chronicling America website, go to chroniclingamerica.com.
