Trunk Show and Brunch!

Theme Magazine Launch for Issue 14

Theme Magazine's Launch Party for their 14th Issue: Travel was held in Soho on Tuesday night. Thank you to this magazine for always keeping refreshing content, showcasing fresh Asian/Asian American talent, and functioning as a unique community of inspiring creative types. Met some great designers, musicians, artists, and filmmakers here.

"New wave" in Chelsea

Attended a fabulous, jam-packed concert of fusion traditional Korean music Haegum Plus at the recently opened Gana Art gallery in Chelsea this past weekend. Set up in the main gallery, this concert was set up amidst the amazing tire sculptures by artist Yong Ho Ji. The group that played there incorporated traditional Korean instruments with western guitar, drums, and bass. Hearing the traditional stringed instrument haegum exchange solos with the jazzy lines of the guitarist was so exciting. The audience seemed to enjoy the back and forth of the sounds of unfamiliarity and familiarity.

The concert was a marker of a true "new wave" of East Asian galleries bringing in a change of scene in Chelsea.

Korean galleries Gana Art, Arario, set up on 25th street earlier in the fall. Arario's debut show with Hyungkoo Lee, an artist who represented Korea in the last Venice Biennale, garnered much interest and acclaim from New York art goers. Chinese galleries such as China Square, 798 Avant Gallery have been relentlessly presenting fine shows with contemporary Chinese artists for a growing market.

As well as giving their artists New York exposure, these galleries are already forming an important place for the Asian and Asian-American art community in New York to convene at events such as this concert, or openings. While the creative work of artists is the center of the art world, this kind of gallery venue is just as crucial to forming networks of support, presentation, and exchange. The sense of excitement and dialogue at the concert was unmistakable. It's going to be exciting to see what these new venues do to change the landscape of the New York art scene.

Here's Haegum Plus' Myspace!

Paul Chan

Was fortunate enough to go see Paul Chan lecture at the New School at their Public Art Fund Talks. Paul Chan, a young and successful artist, now has a show up at the New Museum and recently staged Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in a recuperating New Orleans. He is known for being extremely vocal about his political stance, while producing art that is not merely political but also existential. Amidst much decadence and complicit stances in contemporary art, Paul Chan stands out as an artist with an extremely social and political agenda.

His lecture was, to say the least, powerful. As any of us reading any kind of news can attest to, the world is experiencing a serious economic recession. Characteristic of his practice of mirroring the contemporary, Paul read an essay he had written titled "The Spirit of Recession". Carefully written and deliberately performed, the essay was pointed and passionate.

He pointed out a few very interesting and important truths of our society. He noted that our political leaders are currently making decisions upon the "spirit of self-preservation", and that this mad dash of our leaders for self-preservation and self-progress at all costs is being payed for by all the rest of us. In the form of a recession. He noted that often "self-preservation" is masked under the word "progress" and warned against the idea of progress as a religion.

In the face of our leaders, what can the rest of us possibly do? What can I contribute? What can I change? He seemed to be battling with this question as an artist. He voiced his own doubts about the extent of the difference he could make in changing the ways of our current leaders. However, his conviction in "the creative act" was the most shaking and stuck with me for a long time. The creative act, he said, is to say what matters when something deathly is stuck in one's throat and stick by it, at all costs.

That is exactly what he did throughout his lecture. That being said, you should definitely check out his show at the New Museum and see what exactly he is saying when he has something deathly stuck in his throat. Click here for his website.

(Image, Paul Chan Lights)

Shin Choi Look of the Week

Springtime brings the possibility of new beginnings. With this, comes the uncomfortable transition period. Hot during the day, cold at night, and a little uncomfortable from the sudden air conditioning? Dating someone new and not sure what to wear on your Saturday evening date?

Throw on our lightweight, classic Toby jacket for a perfect spring time look. A favorite among our customers this season, the piece will dress up a simple jeans outfit or complement your favorite warm weather skirt. The plaid pattern is academic-chic while the short cut and 3/4 sleeve detailing add some flirtatious punch to the ensemble.

Click to buy from online store!

Min Jin Lee

In late January, we had a book reading event with the acclaimed author Min Jin Lee at the Shin Choi store. Min Jin's first book was published last May 2007 from Warner Books, and immediately garnered attention and praise from the top critics as well as the general reading public. The event at the store was packed with enthusiasts eager to hear the author breathe life into the complex, fragile, and charismatic characters she created.

Min Jin was startlingly eloquent and honest. Tall and slender, she naturally glowed a kind of earnest and probing intelligence. Speaking of beginning her writing career after her successful years as a lawyer, she was unafraid to speak of unending periods of rejection, emotional trauma, and the gripping mystery of the creative process. She told the most quotidien stories: writing while having a child, transitioning from introducing herself as a "lawyer" to "writer" to acquaintances, in a telling way that really highlighted the essential heart of the matter.


Her writing style in Free Food for Millionaires is just as incisive, elegant, yet convicted as she herself is. It's certainly one of the best novels of the year. Min Jin takes you on a story that navigates the societal platforms of wealth, education, and individualism in America while keeping at the heart of the story a young woman's struggles with alienation and intimacy, ambition and exuberance. It is a lusciously beautiful read.

Congratulations, Min Jin, on your continued success and all the best wishes on all your travels this year.

KAFSC

One of the most unique aspects of Shin's practice is that that she is just as involved in community and humanitarian causes as she is in her creative endeavors. While most brilliant creative types are way too busy with all the work that goes into making real their unique vision, Shin somehow juggles her amazing design work and making real difference in her community. She is on the Board of Directors of the organization KAFSC, which we would like to take some time to introduce here on this blog, as it is a big part of Shin's bigger vision of what life is!

This past weekend, KAFSC (Korean American Family Service Center) had its 19th Anniversary Gala Benefit. This is a non-profit organization which provides counseling, advocacy, and education to prevent domestic violence in homes. With great programs for children and youth, KAFSC has been a long time contributor to the well being of the Korean American community in New York. The gala featured distinguished speaker Becky Lee, founder of Becky Lee Women's Support Fund as well as runner up on Survivor: Cook Islands, and gave special recognition to the honorable Danny K. Chun, Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.

While the event was beautiful, more than anything it is always a precious reminder that giving back to a community is so important. It gives us perspective on what matters most. Living in New York City, one of the most affluent and creative communities in the world, it is easy to get caught up in the bubble of "making it". While this is of course important, what is more valuable than a healthy body, peaceful family, loving community?

It's nice to take time out of the often champagne-like overflowing New York social and creative scene and honor these timeless basics.

Korean American Family Service Center

Met Opera Party

When you are a creative type, it is always a good idea to go out and meet talented people to get inspired for your own work. Here are some photos from a great opera party we attended last night at 92nd and Central Park West. Last night was truly great fun and great stimulus.

Part of programming at the Met Opera, the party featured soprano Kathleen Kim singing arias from the comic opera La Fille du Regiment, which premiers at the Met Opera stage April 21, 2008! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3uhUgEbvqk She was accompanied by pianist Laura Poe, a Met Lindemann Young Artist. From her small stature, she projected dynamically expressive and often humorous interpretations of arias. It was also a great treat to hear commentator William Berger (Met radio broadcast producer and author of Verdi With A Vengeance, among other opera books) speak so passionately and approachably about the themes and structure of the comic opera. Kathleen will understudy Marie's role in La Fille for Natalie Dessay- we are looking forward to seeing her on stage as she recently got rave reviews for her debut performance at the Met this past October 2007 as Barbarina in Le Nozze de Figaro.

The event was very relaxed and it was truly special to hear opera in such an intimate setting. William mentioned that bel canto (Italian for beautiful singing) was originally meant for a very small audience, as it is a style that emphasizes detailed and florid ornamentation.

Live music performed by dedicated musicians is such an enthralling experience. Kathleen certainly embodied the essence of the bel canto style with her virtuosity and play. Her voice was a reminder of how one person's passion can be so powerful. Inspiring!

Below Photos)
Kathleen and Laura
William, Laura, and Kathleen
Candid of friends

Shin Choi Look of the Week

Spring has burst into bloom in New York City. The serious monochrome city streets have gotten intensely cheery and colorful with the beautiful flowering trees! It's that time of year when you rummage through your closet trying to remember how to dress for this effervescent brilliant weather. As we are, of course, still used to our drab winter layers. On the streets we see some people veering on the safe side, still bundled up in their winter coats and even scarves! Some women have already donned their spring dresses, but paired with booties. Not sandals, quite yet.






As a solution to finding the perfect transition spring piece, we would like to introduce our lightweight trench dress jacket "Haley". This piece is clean, upbeat, yet structured. While keeping the spring wind at bay, the trench provides an easy mix of flirtatious details and calm poise. You could don your new spring dress underneath with heels or slip on some dark skinny khakis with loafers. The fabric has a gentle luster that will glow in the spring sun.










For a peek of summer days ahead: our shimmery jersey Sabrina top is reminiscent of those long sunny sandy days on the beach. With the right white cotton shorts, you can live summer vacation without leaving the city.

Shop for Change at Shin's

This week we present an exciting opportunity to support the New York Women's Foundation at our store at 119 Mercer Street!






April 14th-18th
11am-7pm
10% of the proceeds from all purchases will go to the NY Women's Foundation.
*Additional 10% discount.

The New York Women's Foundation® (NYWF®) was established in 1987 as a public philanthropy to be a voice for women and a force for change. We are a cross-cultural alliance of women helping low-income women and girls in the five boroughs to achieve sustained economic security through expanded opportunities. We work together to transform the conditions of poverty and to create an equal and just future for low-income women and girls in NYC. To learn more about the NYWF®, please visit www.nywf.org