APA 101 Objects Book - Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects offers a remarkable exploration of the experiences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) through a thoughtful selection of 101 objects from across the Smithsonian’s vast holdings.

Edited by Theodore S. Gonzalves, curator of Asian Pacific American history at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the book’s 11 chapters are organized thematically to represent wide-ranging, shared experiences: navigation, intersections, labor, innovation, belonging, tragedy, resistance and solidarity, community, service, memory, and joy. More than a dozen colleagues from across the Smithsonian have contributed insightful entries that shed light on the significance of each object, ranging from a Hello Kitty bento box, symbolizing the “soft power” of a beloved pop culture icon, to the “Fight the Virus, NOT the People” COVID-19 Banner, which highlights the ongoing struggles of AANHPI communities against racism and prejudice. Over 200 full-color illustrations provide compelling visual evidence of the stories and histories represented by these objects, including, among others, the immigrant experience, the significance of family and community, and the impact of popular culture and media representation.

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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects is available for sale on November 7, 2023

Learn more about some of the objects featured in Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects, gathered from across the Smithsonian’s collections.

1st Filipino Infantry Insignia
(National Museum of American History)

Asparagus Knife Used by Filipino/a Farm Workers
(National Museum of American History)

Balbir Singh Sodhi’s Sikh Turban
(National Museum of American History)

Caravan’s Thailand: Songs for Life Album
(Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage)

China Poblana Dress
(National Museum of American History)

Feather Cape/Cloak of Kekuaokalani
(National Museum of Natural History)

“Fight the Virus, NOT the People” COVID-19 Banner
(National Museum of American History)

Hari Govind Govil’s Patent for Devanagari Typographical Font
(National Museum of American History)

Hawaiian “Coat of Arms” flag quilt
(National Museum of American History)

Hello Kitty Bento Box
(National Museum of American History)

Hmong Refugee My Yia Vang’s Story Cloth
(National Museum of American History)

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Ice-Skating Costume
(National Museum of American History)

Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan), Volume 1
(National Museum of American History)

Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii
(Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Name Tag for Challenger Astronaut Ellison Onizuka
(National Museum of American History)

Naomi Osaka’s Black Lives Matter-Related Face Masks
(Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum)

Photograph of Hollywood Actress Anna May Wong
(National Portrait Gallery)

**Poster for PeregriNasyon: Is America in the Heart? Designed by Lucille Tenazas**
(Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum)

Sewing Kit of Internment Camp Survivor May Ishimoto
(National Museum of American History)

Stella Abrera’s Ballet Shoes
(National Museum of American History)

**Still from Fervor by Shirin Neshat**
(Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden)

Traditional Korean Child’s Dress (hanbok)
(National Museum of American History)

Thai Passport from 1995 El Monte, California, Sweatshop Raid
(National Museum of American History)

Tseng Kwong Chi’s Disneyland, California
(Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects is available for sale on November 7, 2023

Learn more about some of the objects featured in Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects, gathered from across the Smithsonian’s collections.

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