Spectacle and Stage - A Sharing-discussion with Dr Sadiah Bo

During the 1920s, various Asian dance styles flourished in popular venues in Paris, yet dance remained deeply intertwined with the darker histories of colonialism and exploitation.

In this sharing and discussion, curator Dr Phoebe Scott, historian and curator Dr Sadiah Boonstra and choreographer Olé Khamchanla will explore and expand on “Spectacle and Stage,” a section of the exhibition City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris 1920s–1940s. Drawing from Javanese modern dancer and graphic artist Raden Mas Jodjana’s experiences in Paris, they will examine the migrant experiences and tensions faced by Southeast Asian practitioners in Europe from the modernist era to contemporary times.