Though you might not know it, August will be a very engaging month for international contemporary art in Portland. A brand-new residency program called End of Summer has begun, presenting a month-long occasion for Japan and Portland to connect over a shared interest in contemporary art. This month, Yale Union will be the nexus, providing private studios for six Japanese artists and hosting four public lectures by prominent scholars and artists. In a combination of public and private programming, End of Summer has quietly orchestrated an international and critically engaged moment for Portland’s arts community.
The artists-in-residence this year work in diverse mediums, including installation, performance, and conceptual work. Masashi Echigo, Itsuki Kaito, Tsubasa Kato, Masumi Kawamura, Sayaka Ohata, and Nao Osada hold active interests in research and experiential art practices, and have collectively racked up a number of international exhibitions and institutional experiences. Though they’re in town for the residency, the expectation of this program is an active dialogue between the artists-in-residence and the Portland community, culminating in a roundtable discussion and open studio event at the end of the month.