A.C.E. / COMMUNITY June 17, 2019 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 11 PDX commissions artist for permanent installation on Concourse E extension For decades, the Portland International Airport (PDX) has worked to bring the heart of Portland and the best of Oregon to travellers — from featuring local musicians and artists to offering Portland- based retail and restaurants. In a year, a new permanent art exhibit will be installed on Concourse E at PDX, according to the Port of Portland. The new installation, projected to be complete by summer 2020, will continue the celebration of the region. It will be created by Jacob Hashimoto, an artist who was raised in the Pacific Northwest and has displays in the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. Hashimoto will draw on his love for the region to create a unique structure that celebrates Portland’s architecture, city landscape, and natural beauty, along with elements found at PDX. “PDX is an iconic space in my mind. It was the big city to me when I was a kid, and the opportunity to come make artwork in collaboration with PDX was really inspiring,” Hashimoto said. “I am interested in how I can design artwork that is a pleasure to discover as you travel through it visually.” Drawing from his Japanese heritage, Hashimoto brings a unique style to his art. His interactive three-dimensional structures comprise thousands of minia- ture kites, which are made from bamboo and silk or paper and joined together in larger compositions. Hashimoto’s path to this signature art medium was inspired by his family. In college, he had plans to become a minimalist painter, but like many aspiring artists, he felt like he was running out of ideas. The artist’s father encouraged him to keep studying and to start doing something with his hands. He chose to craft kites, something his grandfather KITE ART COMMISSIONED. A new installa- tion is being planned for Concourse E at Portland In- ternational Airport (PDX). The display will be created by Jacob Hashimoto, an artist who was raised in the Pacific Northwest. The new installation is projected to be complete by summer 2020. (Photo courtesy of the Port of Portland) started and his father continued to enjoy as an adult — flying them outside his office window. This small act of creative inspiration became the backbone of his artistic approach. It also brought a new, youthful energy to his art, something that continues to drive him today. “It’s important to me to create artwork that is generous on many different levels — parents can look at it as they’re playing with their kids, or 12-year-olds can dig it. I think that’s what you do in the west, you create possibility,” Hashimoto shared. Upon completion on Concourse E, the structure will be a nod to the natural beauty and neighborhoods that surround Portland — with kites tracing the paths of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers — while others feature roses and pearls, the city’s flags and seals, and even the PDX carpet pattern. Hashimoto also wants to invite travellers to draw their minds away from the city and into the broad, vast expanse of the west. His goal is to remind visitors and current residents of the terrific potential of nature and the adventure that’s just a flight away. The art installation is made possible due to PDX Next, a program upgrading and updating the airport that includes extending Concourse E. When the extension opens in June 2020, in addition to Hashimoto’s artwork, the space will feature new gates for Southwest Airlines, more comfortable places to sit, new dining and shopping options, and a view of Mount Hood. To find Hashimoto, the Port of Portland partnered with the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) to oversee the selection process, which included an open call for artists combined with targeted outreach to artists from underrepresented communities. RACC received 283 applica- tions and selected four finalists for interviews with a seven-person committee, where artists discussed their existing work and proposed approach for the project. Hashimoto’s deep artistic background and expertise, combined with his love for PDX, helped him rise to the top. “It’s quite exciting to have Jacob’s work featured at PDX, which is often a person’s first and the last experience when visiting the region,” said Peggy Kendellen, the public art manager at RACC. “Portland is a city filled with creatives, and what better way to be introduced to the city than with this amazing installation inspired by a sense of place through the lens of an artist.” To learn more about the project or Hashimoto, visit or . Sapporo Bell at the Oregon Convention Center re-dedicated As part of the 60th anniversary of the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association (PSSCA), a private celebration was held this month at the Oregon Convention Center. Portland mayor Ted Wheeler and Sapporo mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto attended the event, which highlighted the association’s six decades of prosperity and peace. A re-dedication of the Sapporo Bell, a Japanese bell gifted by business leaders in Sapporo to Portland as part of PSSCA’s 30th anniversary, was a focus of the gathering. Portland and Sapporo are separated by more than 4,000 miles but have many similarities. They are close to the same latitude, are each about 150 years old, and have metropolitan populations of close to 2 million. The two enjoy beautiful settings and an appreciation of the outdoors. And they were also established by pioneers — by loggers and fishermen — who capitalized on rich natural resources in their respective regions. PSSCA, founded in 1959, supports many forms of interaction, including hosting visits of international delegations, encouraging educational connections, facilitating political outreach, partici- pating in and producing Japan-themed events, and promoting communication, both local and international. The mayors of both cities agreed in 1986 that they should cooperate in the development of programs for the promotion of tourism as well as an increase in trade and mutual economic develop- ment and activities to amplify the feelings of friendship between the citizens of the cities. Sister city associations foster and promote cross-cultural understanding between the countries they unify. The Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association is the organization that stewards the longest-running sister city relationship in Portland, Oregon — and one of the oldest in the United States. Portland sister city relationships exist with nine cities, including Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Ulsan, South Korea; and Suzhou, in the People’s Republic of China. Re-dedicating the Sapporo Bell marked the first milestone of a massive renovation project at the Oregon Convention Center. “The re-dedication of the Sapporo Bell is the first milestone in completing our nearly 18-month, $39-million renovation. Last fall, we broke ground on the Oregon Convention Center plaza and interior renovation project to coincide with the opening of the Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center,” said Craig Stroud, executive director of the Oregon Convention Center. The goal of the streamlined and SAPPORO BELL. As part of the 60th anniversary of the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association (PSSCA), a private celebration was held this month at the Oregon Convention Center to re-dedicate the Sapporo Bell, a Japanese bell that was gifted by business leaders in Sapporo to Portland as part of PSSCA’s 30th anniversary. Pictured is a welcome cer- emony for the bell held at Tom McCall Waterfront Park after arriving by ship. A 30th-anniversary ceremony to officially unveil the bell was held in February 1990 at the brand new Oregon Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Metro) enhanced plaza at the Oregon Convention Center is to ease access and entry into the center through the primary entrance. The updates to the interior spaces from the lobbies to the ballrooms is intended to reinvigorate the center for local Port- landers as well as improve national competitiveness. To learn more about the Portland- Sapporo Sister City Association, visit . Department of Consumer & Business Services Building Codes Division What we do The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, Building Codes Division (BCD) ensures safe building construction while supporting a positive business climate. Hiring a licensed electrician or plumber helps ensure that the person doing the work is qualified. To check on whether a person you wish to hire is licensed, visit our website at bcd.oregon.gov, then click on “license holder search.” BCD also wants to remind you that permits help protect the safety and value of your home. Check our website or call your local building department, to find out when you need a permit for your building or remodeling job. For questions or more information, please call 1-800-442-7457 (toll-free) or (503) 378-4133. www.PermitsProtect.info