A.R. (Agricultural Regrowth)

LOCATIONS:

(1) Japanese Farmers: 197 Jackson Street, Roy’s Station Coffee & Tea, former site of Kitazawa Seed Company.

(2) Chinese Farmers: 140 Jackson Street,Nichi Bei Bussan, former site of Tanizawa Grocery Store

(3) Filipino Farmers: 245 E. Taylor Street, Santo Market, established 1946

DESCRIPTION: Japanese American Museum of San Jose founder Jimi Yamaichi often mentioned that if there were no Asian farmers, there would be no San Jose Japantown. He felt that the farmers were essential customers who sustained the merchants of Heinlenville and Japantown. The importance of agriculture to the Asian immigrants and their descendants is the focus of my AR art. You will be visiting three historic spots that were important grocery store locations in the community. Images and sounds of Asian farmers are surrounded by floating fruit. By focusing on floating seeds, you will bring them into full bloom.

SAMPLE:

ARTIST’S STATEMENT: When I visited SJ Japantown for the first time, the floral symbol of the plum blossom on the pillars caught my attention. I have asked advisors questions about its historical backstory. The emblem of the plum blossom that is on the pillars symbolizes the history of the second generation Asian immigrants and their descendants’ perseverance in producing agriculture in the farm fields of Santa Clara County. This got me intrigued in wanting to know more about what else they naturally produced such as the specific flowers, fruits, and vegetables that they grew. Sadly, all those crops weren’t able to continue due to the struggles of how labor intensive it was that the next generation didn’t want to take over and the property of the land was bought over. After hearing their historical backstory, it inspired my concept to appreciate the grief and liveliness the farm workers went through by adding photos of them including audio sounds of a hoe digging into dirt and the crops of each group specialized in growing by creating 3D models of the specific flowers, fruits, and vegetables that they grew brought back to life into the AR space of SJ Japantown. The implementation would be interacting with the artpiece by focusing on the floating seeds that will reveal what produce will grow out of it to depict the quality of hardship in their lives, the time and effort raising the crops, and the sanctuary it provided to SJ Japantown. Instead of the logo’s purpose for business, it also reveals and reflects the deep history hidden within.

ARTIST PROFILE:

Anna Wong is a multidisciplinary digital artist born in San Francisco, California who utilizes various forms of technology. She primarily creates with 3D modeling/printing, laser cutting, and augmented reality (AR). She studied and received her BFA in Digital Media Art at SJSU in 2020.