Symposium: Is Asia One? Towards an Asian Art History

Is there such a thing as Asian art? Is the notion of pan-Asian art history a legitimate historical construction? Ever since Okakura Kakuzō used the phrase “Asia is one” in 1903, scholars and curators have struggled with conceptualising the continent as a whole. This symposium considers some of the impulses that might tie together the art histories of a vast continent that embraces many cultures, religions, and languages.

A group of international speakers will consider these issues. Attention is given to the tensions between centre and periphery, the supposedly pure and hybrid, nationalism and imperialism, ethnic and colonial.

The 10th anniversary of the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore provides an opportunity to examine the concept of Asian art before the 20th century. The symposium is held in conjunction with a special exhibition of new acquisitions, Devotion and Desire: Cross-Cultural Art in Asia.

Registration fee includes:
• Lunch and two teas
• Free admission to the Devotion and Desire exhibition
• 50% discount for purchase of exhibition catalogue
• Conference pack