This is the first analysis that defines a space for Asian modernity without direct reference to Euroamerica. Based on John Clark's extensive primary research using vernacular written and interview materials in Chinese and Thai, Asian Modernities also develops theoretical perspectives on genealogies of modernity, and the twin phenomena of globalisation and transnational artistic identity. This highly illustrated book combines institutional examination with a close attention to art works and to the way artists have positioned themselves through them at home and abroad.' —from the back cover
With forewords by Yin Shuangxi and Apinan Poshyananda. Includes bibliographical references and index.
Onsite
English
2010
287
9780909952389
2
monograph
Introduction
Research intentions and outline
Research development
Underlying theoretical issues
Modernities
Application of evolutionary theories
Comparing universes
Further implications of evolutionary models
Biological and cultural sign-systems
The artwork
Mixed genealogies
Chapter 1: Style and institutions in China
Preamble to Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Historical discourses in Chinese art
Externality and internality of art discourses
The Chinese arts system
Styles
Function of the outside revisited
– Xin-guohua (neo-traditionalist painting)
– Chinese women artists and women's art
Art and consumer society
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Style and institutions in Thailand
Historical discourses of Thai art
Externality and internality of art discourses
The Thai arts system
Styles
Function of the outside revisited
– Neo-traditionalist painting
– Thai women artists and women's art
Art and consumer society
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Style and institutions in China and Thailand compared
Preamble
Reformulation of the academic
Grandiose horror
Tradition as modernist reference: local and international
Quirky or tendentious objection
The curator's smiles, or tears
Objects of consumption, critical and natural
Implications for hypotheses about modernity in art
Chapter 4: The economy and art
Introduction
China: The economy and the Chinese art world
– The Chinese economy as a whole
– The particular economy of the Chinese art world, including art markets
– The economic domain of the Chinese artist's livelihood
Thailand: The economy and the Thai art world
– The Thai economy as a whole
– The particular economy of the Thai art world, including art markets
– The economic domain of the Thai artist's livelihood
China and Thailand compared
Implications for hypotheses about modernity in art
Chapter 5: Art education and modern art
Introduction
Art school education in China
Art school education in Thailand
China and Thailand compared
Implications for hypotheses about modernity in art
Chapter 6: The public discourse of modernity and art
Introduction
China
– Nationalism
– The project of modernisation and its defects
– Modernity as the property of a cultural and ethical system
– Art as a reflection of a social system
– Periodisation
— Before the 1980s
— The 1980s
— 1989 to 1990
— 1991 to 1992
— 1997
Thailand
– Nationalism
– The project of modernisation and its defects
– Modernity as the property of a cultural and ethical system
– Art as reflection of a social system
– Periodisation
China and Thailand compared
Implications for hypotheses about modernity in art
Chapter 7: The global
Globalism and globalisation
New identities
China
– Globalism and globalisation
– Modernity and post modernity
– New identities
Thailand
– Globalism and globalisation
– Modernity and post modernity
– New identities
China and Thailand compared
Implications for hypotheses about modernity in art
Chapter 8: Conclusion — Are there other modernities in art?
Products and interventions on the national
Endogenous and exogenous
Stylistic discourses
Institutions
Histories, periods
The mapping of modernity
– Explicit state art ideology/Inexplicit state ideology
– Non-art discourse intervention in art/Non-art discourse isolated from art
– Relativised past/Naturalised past
– Developed art-critical discourse/Underdeveloped art-critical discourse
– Art discourse periodisation correlates strongly with politics/Art discourse periodisation correlates weakly with politics
– Style cycling is rapid and exogenously correlated/Style cycling is slow and endogenously correlated
– Privileging of exogenous discourse/De-privileging of exogenous discourse
– Overseas recognition of artwork and artist, privileges artist at home/Overseas recognition of artwork and artist, does not privilege artist at home
– Artists are conscience-bearers as members of professional elite/Artists are decorators as members of craftsmen coterie or ateliers
– Artist affiliates to the transnational/Artist affiliates to the national
– Education of less than 1 fine arts graduate per 100,000 population per annum/Education of more than 1 fine arts graduate per 100,000 population per annum
– High development of art discourses in urban environments/High development of art discourses in rural environments
– Arts practice taught as part of selective education before and at tertiary level/Arts practice taught as part of general education before and at tertiary level
– Large amount of monetary sales for economic capital accumulation/Small amount of monetary sales for cultural capital accumulation
A coda
Asian Modernities: Chinese and Thai Art Compared, 1980 to 1999
What does this mean?
This item is covered by one or more copyrights. It is available for research only or use within Hong Kong’s fair dealing rules. Please do not copy, re-use or reproduce this item without the permission of the copyright holder.