Grab your headphones, turn up your speakers, and press play! Today we share with you 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, a compilation of original songs, sounds, and meditations created by Asian American women and non-binary artists and musicians. Arriving amidst a period of collective trauma and heightened xenophobic violence, 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 offers listeners a refuge for contemplation, grief, and growth.
“During the pandemic period, so many people gravitated to meditation and mindfulness practices, which are often rooted in Asian traditions such as qigong and ayurveda. 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 sheds much-needed light on how these are not merely trends, but instead come from rich cultural histories. By deepening this understanding, we can find healing for ourselves and our society.” – Adriel Luis, APAC’s curator of digital and emerging practice
𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 demonstrates how Asian Americans have played a critical role in America’s notion of mindfulness and healing arts. Commissioned at the beginning of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, APAC spent almost three years collaborating with these musicians, artists, and cultural practitioners to vividly capture how an intensely challenging moment could lead to personal discovery and collective healing. 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, which received critical support from the @Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, adds complexity to the greater landscape of meditation and healing arts tools by centering perspectives that have long been marginalized.
𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 is available as an album across digital music streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, YouTube Music, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Throughout 2023, APAC will unveil additional ways for the public to interact with 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦. Click the link in our bio to listen and learn more!