Reflection and remembrances for those in multiple worlds feels out of focus, out of reach, and yet chaotically beautiful. 1.5 is a sense of feeling, concept, truth, and a tunnel. It’s a reflection of the unspoken boundaries in the past, present and future for the Southeast Asian diaspora. 1.5 describes those who arrived on American soil under the age of 12, their complex and complicated displacement, and the fragments of their memories and dreams.

2020 marks the 45th anniversary of the diaspora from Southeast Asia and a new world we’re stepping into with our storytellers, artists, and healers. SEAD gathered a batch of stories from 1.5 and their descendents on themes of love, labor, and boundaries. We’ll be launching a “1.5” storytelling campaign and art show, as means for moving and shifting the dialogue on our multitude of narratives.


STORIES LIBRARY


Our community shared their stories of being uniquely in-between: of love and loss, isolation and community, survival and prosperity.

Want to be a part of our digital library? Submit your story here.

Read more

Happenings


Scattered Diasporas and The Critical Renewal
Thursday, December 3rd
6:30 PM — 8 PM


Zine


An original zine, created specially for 1.5, with a historical background, cultural mixtape and in-depth artist bios.

Zine designed by Jason Syboun.

View zine
View exhibit map

About

The Southeast Asian Diaspora Project (SEAD) in partnership with Minnesota Museum of American Art (the M) is proud to present 1.5: A Southeast Asian Diaspora Remix. The exhibition will showcase work by Southeast Asian diaspora artists. As part of reimagining the 45th anniversary of the diaspora, SEAD has gathered stories from the community and worked with artists to respond to stories with visual artworks.

Featured artists are based in the Twin Cities, nationally, and internationally, and include Kat Eng, Van Hai, Sisavanh Houghton, and Chantala Kommanivanh, with additional works by Xee Reiter, Leyen Trang, and Christina Vang. The exhibition will also include works created in collaboration between artists and SEAD. 1.5 is a sense of feeling, concept, truth, and tunnel. It’s a reflection of the unspoken boundaries in the past, present and future for the Southeast Asian diaspora. 1.5 describes those who arrived on American soil under the age of 12, their complex and complicated displacement, and the fragments of their memories and dreams by a handful of selected artists who are either 1.5 or their descendents. The exhibit will be a compelling and complex take on the Southeast Asian diaspora experience; which is fraught with fragments of memories straddling in the grey area between these worlds.

Curated by SEAD Project Founder and Executive Director Chanida Phaengdara Potter in collaboration with the M’s Curator of Exhibitions Laura Joseph and Curatorial Assistant Mia Laufer, 1.5 will include art across media, including painting, sculpture, video, and interactive installation. A zine written by SEAD and community partners will accompany the exhibition.

Lead Artists

Chantala Kommanivanh, Chicago, IL 
Sisavanh Phouthavong, Nashville, TN
Kat Eng, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN 
Van Hai, Vientiane, Laos

Contributing Artists

Christina Vang, Saint Paul, MN
Leyen Trang, Minneapolis, MN
Xee Reiter, Saint Paul, MN

Digital gallery tour and interviews

Take an in-depth look at our window-facing exhibit, 1.5: A Southeast Asian Diaspora Remix. Our curators sat down and discussed the process and the importance of the exhibit, and how it was a means for the SEA Diaspora to reclaim our narrative.

Watch intimate interviews with our artists based here in Minnesota, as well as nationally and globally. Learn more about their stories, motivations and processes for their work displayed in 1.5: A Southeast Asian Diaspora Remix.

1.5 Artist Profiles

Social Links

Facebook | @theseadproject
Instagram | @theseadproject
Twitter | @plantthesead

Downloads

"I Am A SEA Creative" Graphic
Portrait orientation
Square

Official 1.5 Flyer
Download

5 Ways To Get Involved

  1. We’re honored to share your stories. Submit yours for future collections.
  2. Are you a Southeast Asian Creative responding to community? Share our "I Am A Southeast Asian Creative" graphic and show us your work! Tag @theseadproject, use the hashtag #onepointfive and we’ll reshare your posts. Download the square version or portrait version — whichever one best suits your grid aesthetic.
  3. Take a picture with the piece of work at our exhibit that resonated with you the most. Tell us about it, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
  4. Stay in-the-know on all our upcoming events and programming and follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@theseadproject) or Twitter (@PlanttheSEAD).
  5. Share the official flyer with your friends and link theseadproject.org/onepointfive — don’t forget to use #onepointfive on your post!

Khmer Readings

Sacred Vows
U Sam Oeur

Apsara in New York
Sokunthary Svay

And So I Was Blessed
Bunkong Tuon

Lao Readings

Dance Among Elephants
Krysada Panusith Phounsiri

How To Pronounce Knife, Little
Souvankham Thammavongsa

When Everything Was Everything
Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay


TEAM

Project, Stories, Media:

Chanida Phaengdara Potter, chanida@theseadproject.org

Exhibition:

Laura Joseph, ljoseph@mmaa.org
Mia Laufer, mlaufer@mmaa.org 

Events, Volunteering, Support:

Katherine Nguyen, katherine@theseadproject.org