1 August 2008

New Asian Imaginations

NAFA Symposium 2008

1st & 2nd August 2008
Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA Campus 3

Asia has experienced an explosive growth in artistic productions, particularly in the form of art biennales and art festivals, which are widely regarded as important platforms for a new voice in Asian imaginings. They draw from diverse cultural inspirations, values and identities. This Asian phenomenon has the potential to be of crucial relevance in the 21st century. However, is there really a potential for a new Asian voice, thought and content, fuelled by a drive to create a new universal language in imaginings? Indeed, is there a need to redefine the arts on Asian terms?

In conjunction with NAFA’s 70th anniversary celebrations, the Academy will be organising an international symposium titled "New Asian Imaginations” on Friday, 1st August and Saturday, 2nd August 2008 at the Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA Campus 3 (151 Bencoolen Street). The symposium will focus on the dynamic artistic developments taking place particularly in Southeast Asia, within the larger context of Asia. It will provide a platform for international scholars to exchange their views and develop the discourse on the contribution of Southeast Asian arts to the confidence of new imaginings through voice, thought and content. The symposium will also seek to stimulate further debates on the future of these explorations.

Mr Choo Thiam Siew, NAFA President said: “The symposium will anchor NAFA’s position as the pioneer and eminent institution, as well as the flagship, in Southeast Asian arts research and teaching. We are honoured to have Professor Wang Gungwu and Professor Michael Sullivan preside the event as Guest of Honour and as Keynote Speaker respectively, and we are indebted to the panel leads - prominent personalities from the international, regional and local creative arts scene, who will share their insights at the two-day event. With the audience make-up of academia/scholars, luminaries, our faculty and students, as well as supporters in the arts fraternity, we hope to ignite lively debates and allow for knowledge building through the interactions.”

Professor Wang Gungwu is the Chairman of East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, while Professor Michael Sullivan is Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and Fellow Emeritus at St Catherine’s College, Oxford University.

Foremost, authoritative experts will be leading panel discussions on topics including “New Trends in the Role of the Arts”, “Re-examining Definitions”, “Southeast Asian Heritage”, “Potential of Asian Voice/Thought or Content”, “Asian Arts Explorations/Experiments” and “New Imaginings”. Please refer to the annex for details on the panel sessions.

In addition, NAFA will be producing a publication on the symposium proceedings. The publication will be available for sale at the event. Copies will be distributed to key academic institutions for their collections.

Please refer to the following annexes for more information:

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Media Contact

For media interviews or further assisntance, please contact:

Ms Karen Loh
Manager (Media Relations)
Corporate Relations Department
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
DID: 6512 4017
Email: phhloh@nafa.edu.sg