Last night, I attended the opening night party for the Asian Art Museum's new exhibition, Phantoms of Asia. Known for its superb collection of historic art, Phantoms of Asia is the museum's first large-scale contemporary art exhibit, with beautiful works on display both in their own spaces and as additions to current galleries. Phantoms of Asia even extends outside of the venue with the installation Breathing Flower in Civic Center Plaza —a 24-foot illuminated, kinetic sculpture of a red lotus by Korean artist Choi Jeong Hwa.

The party was fabulous, crowded with people happily mingling and digging Vin Sol and King Most's musical selections, delicious nibbles by Sinto Gourmet and Polkadotties, and generally having a killer time. Heading upstairs from the first floor, it was quieter with individual groups communing with the newly installed Phantoms art pieces.  

Rolling solo, my tour of the gallery spaces was a meditative one. The cross-cultural perspectives of Asian cosmology and spirituality are represented in over 150 artworks from the past and present, integrated into the museum's existing collections. 

Phantoms of Asia continues through September 2nd. Check out more photos on The Bold Italic Facebook page for a preview, but stop by the museum and see for yourself, you won't be disappointed. I know I'll be back for more!

Photos by Chris Appelgren