The Project
Alan worked with LA County Library to engage the community through the arts in five library locations, one in each of the County supervisorial districts. Using the vintage Japanese art of Kamishibai, Alan and LA-based poet Rocio Carlos led workshops with members of the community to develop original stories and illustrations. Alan designed and fabricated a Kamishibai theater for each library. Additionally, Alan and Rocio trained library staff to conduct community-based engagement workshops with the goals of deepening connections with their constituents and cultivating creativity. In 2020, Alan and Rocio expanded the training for staff at more libraries by creating a series of training videos. For the project, Alan modified the traditional Kamishibai theater, building one out of common household items so that library users can make their own at home.
Explore the Kamishibai stories created during Alan Nakagawa's residency at LA County Library.
Learn more about Alan's residency and watch the video he made on the history of Kamishibai.
Alan Nakagawa is an interdisciplinary artist primarily working with sound, occasionally incorporating video, sculpture, drawing, paint, performance, food, and (most recently) perfumes. In addition to serving as the Creative Strategist at LA County Library, Nakagawa was an artist-in-residence for California State University Dominguez Hills' Praxis Art/Ninomiya Photographic Archive (2018-19).
He is the host of Visitings Radio Show on DUBLAB radio 99.1 FM, co-founder of the now defunct arts collective Collage Ensemble Inc. (1984-2011), and was the curator of Ear Meal Webcast (2010-2016). Nakagawa is a recipient of two Art Matters grants, City of Los Angeles Artist Fellowship, California Community Foundation Mid-Career Artist Fellowship, and a Monbusho Scholarship. He received a Masters of Fine Arts from University of California Irvine and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Otis/Parsons School of Art and Design.
Founded in 1912, LA County Library is one of the largest and most innovative library systems in the US. It offers free public resources including books, music, multimedia materials, computer and internet access, and educational and recreational services to 3.4 million residents across 3,000 square miles through its 85 community libraries, 1 institutional library, and mobile fleet of 14 vehicles, including 3 Bookmobiles, 6 MākMō (maker mobiles), and 5 Reading Machines. LA County Library is dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing access to and equity of public services for all.