The cultures of the Ainu and of the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest have much in common—a deep love of nature, a belief in the spirit in all of creation, respect for plants, animals and other human beings—and much to be proud of in their traditional cultures—a rich artistic heritage and a harmonious environmental and social model that has much to teach the world today.
Like Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest—and most of the great indigenous peoples of the world—unfortunately, much of the art and culture of the Ainu of Japan has been lost with their forced assimilation into the broader mainstream societies and changing political fortune.
Fortunately, enough material culture remained in museum cabinets and private collections around the world to inspire a generation of newly awakened 20th-century descendants of Native people on both sides of the North Pacific, launching a revival of the traditions and techniques that inspired their ancestors centuries ago.
Parallel Worlds: Art of the Ainu of Hokkaido and to Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest looks at this and other historical and artistic resonances between the two distant but interestingly similar cultures in an exhibition of traditional textiles made by artists from both worlds.
The title of the exhibition, Parallel Worlds, refers to the Ainu concept that life consists of two parallel realities—that of the physical world and another unseen, but equally real spiritual world. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association, this exhibition explores the parallels between our two regions that go back to ancient times—to the first people who inhabited these lands on both sides of the North Pacific.
Through this comparative exhibition of traditional textiles by Ainu and Native American artists, it is our hope to celebrate these centuries-old connections and rejoice in the parallel spirit that continues to bring these two places on earth together.
Parallel Worlds is generously sponsored by the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation, the Jack & Lynne Hoffman Donor Advised Fund, The Collins Foundation, The Japan Foundation, and Gerding/Edlen Development.
