Asian Art Synergy: The Art Seminar in the Global South The project is in charge of Faculty of Fine Art, Chiang Mai University Principle and Rational It is known that culture has usually the last priority in funding for academic development, despite its importance to the root of our identity and cultural expression. Typically, the based knowledge regarding art and culture would concentrate surrounding Western culture development affected by social and economic development and vice versa which has been well documented over time and crafted out the outline of well recognized today’s world art history. Rather than perceiving at our culture through the western perspective and media, we need to comprehend our local/regional wisdom and spirit to gain intimate interaction and relationship developed over time. It would be reasonable to integrate the knowledge yet to be revealed regarding the art and culture transformation around this ASEAN sub-regional since the development contain stories and its uniqueness shaping the living style, thinking, behaviors, perceptions of people in the areas. Countries in this region, each has its own history, religious, faith and belief embodied with political, economy, and societal experiences proven much more different and complicated than what European countries are. For example, there are at least five different religious doctrines, Buddhism, Christianity, Muslim, Hinduism, Confucious and influencing and integrating in the development of Indo-China Civilization. Metaphorically, ASEAN diverse culture is like the differences in our bio-diversity where a various species living together to balance the circle of lives. This project will run the program throughout the period of 1 year (between July 2010-July 2011). Activities include knowledge sharing among 6 ASEAN countries (including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Australia) aiming towards the reviewing over the 50 years of contemporary art and culture development since there we are lacking information of how our neighboring artists in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, and the Oceania Country such as Australia, have originated and created their arts. It will encourage the disclosure the change of Secular Art, Religious Art and Folk Art focusing at present status in relation to the past development and future projection to gain more holistic understanding of social and cultural revolution in different countries, yet interconnected in this sub-region. Knowledge gained from these activities will include presentations, discussions, critiques and cultural debates will provide better mapping of what has been going on in people perception of the world and their lives affecting by radical change during these past 50 years. In accordance with this mentioned rations, Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University has intentionally commenced the pilots project recognized as ASEAN Arts Synergy aiming at seeking academic collaboration in art and culture among ASEAN countries. This project would be the starting point of continuous movement of art and culture academic development involving academia, bachelor, master, doctoral degree students (local, national and international) and those with interests. For academic purposes, this is to strengthening the integration of knowledge around the region and expands our worldview to gain more understanding of the results of the whole year activities will be documented and develop further as periodicals (in English and national language) to gain the momentum in further expansion to others ASEAN countries. Objective
- Directly exchange and share art and culture knowledge among art and academic institutes, academics.
- Gain collaboration among art and academic institutes to sustain research and knowledge based development.
- Illustrate art identity of ASEAN region as one of unique art region of the world.
- Supplementing the cultural and social reconciliation within Asian countries with equality.
Project’s Commencement July 2010 – July 2011 Project’s Depiction and Place The Project will comprise of the lectures and the scholarly seminar divided into 2 sections. 1. Historical Overview discussion arranged at the Art Theatre, Art Center, Chiang Mai University. This section provides the scrutiny in folk arts, religious arts and secular arts. 2. Cultural Debate held at the Auditorium, Art center, Chiang Mai University This cultural debate will concentrate on these following topics – Secular Art - Religious Society – Royalty - Colonialism, Post colonialism - Postmodern Culture - Cooperation towards Art vision and Perspective in the future This intellectual seminar aims at seeking for future collaboration such as interchanging staffs, artist in residence, students or even reciprocal art exhibition and other academic congregations. Audiences Academic staffs, instructors, lecturers, artist, students (Bachelor and Master Students) and all interested people Translation and Audio and Visual Record During the seminar, the historical overview and cultural debate, both sessions will be translated into Thai which will be beneficial and provide convenient informational digesting atmosphere for Thai students and other participants to share the idea and perceive the information correctly. Audio Visual record will be catered in digital file and published in CD-rom and other printed matter for dissemination afterwards. The Compilation of Printed Matter The discussion and shared thoughts during the seminar will be published and publicized in the book and website of Faculty of Fine Arts. Especially, they will be translated into bilingual format. The Expected Achievement and Benefits 1. Understanding art and cultural fundament in ASEAN region. 2. Perceiving Art potential and art, cultural problems including obstacle experiencing by Asian Countries. 3. Preparing for the possibility in continuous collaboration with equal focusing on art and cultural culminated among Asian. Effectively and directly enhancing art wisdom without indirectly perceiving through western perspective.