The Floating World: Masami Teraoka and His Art profiles one of the country's most renowned Asian American artists who adapts the art forms of East and West to comment on contemporary issues. Teraoka's work ranges from bemused to biting as it deals with wide-ranging themes, including cultural conflict, environmental pollution, sexuality and AIDS. He has been inspired by ancient Japanese traditions, especially the art of woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e, meaning "pictures of the floating world." In startling contrast, Teraoka's recent work has taken a darker cast as he draws on medieval Renaissance motifs to tackle issues of sexual repression and oppression, and the impact of computer technology.

The documentary offers an intimate, revealing look at the artist and his creative process through interviews with Teraoka and experts in Japanese art and culture that place his work in artistic, social and historical perspective, including writer Donald Richie and artist/tatooist Don Ed Hardy. The film follows Teraoka to Japan to examine his roots as an artist and discover why he chose to leave his native land. Teraoka visits California sites that inspired his early work; plays jazz on the piano -- an early American obssession; shows masterworks from his ukiyo-e collection; paints at all hours in his studio on Oahu; joins snorkelers at Hanauma Bay -- a favorite subject; and charms his public at a San Francisco exhibition.

Length: 0:56:25 CC ST TVG

The Floating World: Masami Teraoka and His Art is a presentation of the National Asian American Telecommunications Association (NAATA). Funding for the program has been provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Japan Foundation, Japan-United States Friendship Commission, and Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Produced in association with KQED-Public Television. Sponsored by Film Arts Foundation.