ARTS at King Street Station in Seattle is set to host a stirring reminder of a dark chapter in the city's history, the infamous "Tacoma Method," with a poignant performance and gallery show this weekend. On May 9 and 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., artist Ahmoy William Lau will methodically tie 500 knots, each representing one of the Chinese individuals forcibly expelled from the area in 1885 due to rampant xenophobic violence. Lau's act serves as a palpable embodiment of remembrance, seeking to highlight the brutal consequences of anti-immigrant sentiment – something all too relevant in today's sociopolitical climate.
The term "Tacoma Method" refers to the tragic events of November 3, 1885, when a mob, driven by the virulent rhetoric of groups like the Knights of Labor, terrorized and ultimately erased Tacoma's Chinese community. Seattle.gov reports that the Chinese, who were instrumental in filling labor shortages in sectors deemed undesirable by white workers, became scapegoats for economic downturns, a resentment that boiled over into violence, theft, and forced expulsions. At the heart of this weekend's memorial, poems by Brian Dang and an ancestral altar by local artists will accompany Lau's performance, each element constituting a layered narrative of the past's echoing traumas.
Turning to reflection and memorialization at a time when anti-immigrant voices are gaining volume serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of history. Lau's work, situated in the gallery of the Top Floor of 303 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA, is not just an artistic expression but also an educational opportunity, as attendees can engage with accompanying materials detailing the history and implications of the Tacoma Method. Beyond the visual and the poetic, the gathering is a respectful observance of the lives upended and the community's resilience in the face of racial animosity.
ARTS at King Street Station continues to be a focal point for cultural dialogues, a place where the Seattle community can openly engage with both the beauty and the complexities of its diverse history. As noted by Seattle.gov, attendance to this weekend's event is free, making it accessible to anyone wishing to partake in this act of collective reckoning. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and extends its hours until 8 p.m. on First Thursdays. For those poised to confront the echoes of the past in the context of today's discourse, Lau's knots may serve as a sobering, silent testament to resilience, and, the power of art to bridge centuries of memory.
