Bellevue will unveil an immersive art installation that testifies to history and culture. The City of Bellevue has teamed up with the King County Library System to display "Emerging Radiance," a tribute to Japanese American farm families who were forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II. The opening event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bellevue Library, coinciding with the Day of Remembrance for Japanese American Incarceration.
The installation, part of a collaboration with artists Michelle Kumata and Tani Ikeda, offers a singular blend of visual and audio storytelling that employs augmented reality technology. It was on this day in 1942, marked by the signing of Executive Order 9066, that the country turned a grim page with the forced relocation and imprisonment of 125,000 people of Japanese descent—a move that impacted 60 farm families right in Bellevue.
Speaking about the significance of the installation, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson told the City of Bellevue, "We are honored to partner with the Bellevue Library to share this amazing piece of art and history with our community." The city's purchase of "Emerging Radiance" aims to present public access to this poignant chapter in history, allowing a hands-on experience with the past.
The artwork itself, commissioned via the Meta Open Arts program, is a representation of a small house adorned with murals of Bellevue residents on each side. The heart of the installation is its ability to bring to life the voices of local farmers such as Toshio Ito, Rae Matsuoka Takekawa, and Mitsuko Hashiguchi. Visitors will be able to listen to their narratives about their connection to the land before the war, through their incarcerations, and following the conclusion of World War II. These storied accounts have been preserved through the efforts of the Densho Project.
Detailing her artistic choices, Kumata highlighted, "The skin tones are shades of gold and yellow to convey reverence and honor for these individuals and the Japanese American farmer community." She further contextualized the color scheme, discussing the dual representation of both historical targeting and modern-day perceptions of Asian Americans. Beginning February 19, an interactive website will extend the augmented reality experience of "Emerging Radiance" to a broader audience, while a documentary film about the project is already accessible on the site.
Heidi Daniel, executive director of the King County Library System, remarked on the library's role and the partnership with the city, stating, "At our core, libraries are about opening doors to insight, inspiration and learning. Emerging Radiance is a beautiful expression of history and perspectives and how they intertwine with the communities we serve here in Bellevue." The installment will grace the Bellevue Library until at least 2027, inviting widespread community engagement and reflection for years to come.
