Alan Nakagawa: Sound & Inter-Disciplinary Artist

Early Life and Education

Alan Nakagawa was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His childhood was marked by a deep curiosity about the world around him, particularly the sounds and histories embedded in his community. Growing up in a multicultural environment, Nakagawa was exposed to a diverse array of cultural expressions and traditions, which would later influence his interdisciplinary artistic practice.

Nakagawa pursued his formal education in Los Angeles, attending local schools where he developed an early interest in art and music. His fascination with sound and its potential as an artistic medium led him to further his studies in art and interdisciplinary practices. Nakagawa attended California State University, Long Beach, where he honed his skills and began to explore the intersection of sound, media, and community histories.

Artistic Career and Projects

Alan Nakagawa is an interdisciplinary artist with a unique approach to archiving and sound art. His work often involves collaboration with communities and an exploration of their histories, using sound as a primary medium. Nakagawa's artistic journey is characterized by a series of notable residencies and projects that have solidified his reputation in the art world.

He is currently the Artist-in-Residence for Kaya Press, a literary publication focusing on Asian and Pacific Islander American and Diasporic literature. In this role, Nakagawa is composing a micro opera based on each book published during Kaya Press' thirty-year history. The Kaya Micro Operas are set to be presented at One Archive/USC in February 2025 as part of the USC Visions and Voices series.

Nakagawa is also the Artist-in-Residence at the Gerth Archives, California State University Dominguez Hills, where he is working with the National Coalition for Redress and Reparations collections. This project involves materials related to the campaign that led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, reflecting Nakagawa's commitment to preserving and interpreting significant historical narratives.

In January 2023, Nakagawa published his first book, "A.I.R. Head: Anatomy of an Artist in Residence," with Writ-Large Press. The book chronicles his artistic journey and the experiences that shaped his nine artist residencies over six years.

Currently, Nakagawa is working on a sound portrait of the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. This project includes field recordings from sites along the Pacific Rim that are integral to Noguchi's history, such as the Newborn Section of the Los Angeles General Hospital where Noguchi was born.

Nakagawa has also developed semi-autobiographic sound-architecture/tactile sound experiences. Notable works include "Peace Resonance: Hiroshima/Wendover," which combines recordings of the interiors of the Hiroshima Atomic Dome in Japan and the Wendover Hangar in Utah, and "Conical Sound: Antoni Gaudi and Simon Rodia," featuring recordings from the interiors of Watts Towers in Los Angeles and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain.

Contributions and Recognitions

Alan Nakagawa's contributions to the art world extend beyond his personal projects. He was the first Artist-in-Residence for both the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and the Los Angeles County Library. Additionally, the Smithsonian Museum of American History invited him to research the development of hearing aids in the United States.

Nakagawa's work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including two Art Matters grants, the City of Los Angeles Artist Fellowship, the California Community Foundation Mid-Career Artist Fellowship, and a Monbusho Scholarship. He co-founded the arts collective non-profit Collage Ensemble Inc. (1984-2011), curated the experimental music weekly Ear Meal Webcast (2010-2017), produced the public practice artist interviews podcast VISITINGS Radio Show (2017-2020), and administers the website Asian American Futurism (2022-Present).

Personal Life

Alan Nakagawa resides in Koreatown, Los Angeles, where he continues to develop his creative practice. His work remains deeply connected to the community, often reflecting the intricate tapestry of histories and stories that define his surroundings. Through his innovative use of sound and interdisciplinary methods, Nakagawa continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art and contribute to the cultural dialogue.

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