Shifting Perspectives: Reframing Traditional Narratives

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, join a conversation with MoMA education staff as they explore ways of finding connections to Asian and Asian American stories through art. As education staff who are part of the Asian diaspora, Francis Estrada, Lyn Hsieh, and Mia Rubin share a common passion for presenting stories, lived experiences, and perspectives that are usually underrepresented in the art historical canon. Many of us have been trained to frame historical narratives as binaries, such as East vs West, so we would like to invite you to join us in reframing these ideas from various perspectives through shared close looking and conversation. The presenters will share their personal connections to selected works by Song Dong, Dinh Q Le, James Rosenquist, and Tsuruko Yamazaki.

In Shifting Perspectives, MoMA staff, artists, and art professionals facilitate casual conversations about their experiences finding personal connections with artwork. Together, we will learn about selected artworks and discuss questions related to themes and ideas that resonate with the group. No experience with or prior knowledge of art history is required. Grab your favorite drink and log on!

Register online for the session on Thursday, May 20, 5:30–7:00 EDT.

Francis Estrada is an educator for School and Teacher Programs at MoMA and an artist who interrogates how visual cues found in historical photographs, mass media, political propaganda, and personal archives influence or inflect social or cultural narratives.

Lyn Hsieh is the department manager of the Education Department at MoMA, where she manages resources and infrastructure for staff to deliver their creative ideas and serve the public. As an immigrant from Taiwan, Lyn is fascinated by the various narratives and is constantly reshaping her own perspective.

Mia Rubin is the public programs intern in the Education department at MoMA and an artist who explores Asian American and adoptee identity through print and textile design. As a Chinese adoptee, Mia is interested in unpacking and understanding ancestry and questions surrounding chosen family, belonging, and who tells adoptee stories.