Li, Shih redefine 'Asian,' 'artist'

Members of the Boston Progress Arts Collective plugged their mission of supporting Asian and Pacific Islander artists while undercutting stereotypes during a talk in the Granoff Music Center last night.

Guest speakers Giles Li and Eugene Shih told audience members that the aim of their group is to redefine the terms "Asian" and "artist" in order to eliminate preconceptions.

"We don't necessarily have to be one specific type of artist or one specific type of Asian. We want to redefine Asian and artist in ways that are not static," Li said. "I think we should strive not to fall into stereotypes."

Li and Shih highlighted the organization's projects, which create an environment to allow Asian and Pacific Islander artists to explore their creative endeavors. The organization has a radio station, an array of special events to showcase all forms of Asian and Pacific Islander art, and a monthly open mic night -- New England's only Asian-American open mic series, according to the speakers.

Students who attended the event were vocal about Asian and Pacific Islander artistic expression and showed interest in the organization's various projects.

Sophomore James Lin, an artist himself, said the lecture piqued his interest in becoming more involved in the organization and in the Asian and Pacific Islander artist communities.

"I'm ... into the artist scene, and being an Asian American myself, I found the lecture to be great," Lin said. "I think their support is important, because the Asian American community isn't always seen as creative."

Tufts sophomore Erika O'Conor said she went to the lecture because it combined her interests in Asian Studies and music. Her class on Asian-American music prompted her to research the collective.

"I was already looking into the Boston Progress Arts Collective before the lecture, and I even have the Asian and Pacific Islander music radio station streamed into my iTunes," O'Conor said.

O'Conor plans on getting involved with the organization. "I'm planning on going to open mic on Friday," O'Conor said.

She said she admires the organization's support for all types of Asian-American artists, as well as its mission to combat stereotypes.

"Asian Americans participate in all kinds of music, and I appreciate the statement that Boston Progress Arts Collective is trying to make," O'Conor said.