Author: Anjum Katyal
Editor(s): Anjum Katyal
Publisher: Seagull Books
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 436
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8170462495
Description
In keeping with the unconventional nature of this volume, which experiments with an alternative way of documenting and presenting case studies of four cultural organisations in Japan, Indonesia, Hong King and India, certain unconventional editorial decisions have been made. This is a collage of many kinds of text: extracts from interviews, letters, email exchanges, essays, articles, newspaper write-ups, reports, diary entries, poetry, reflective pieces, photographs.. This highly unusual book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the theory and practice of cultural activism and cultural exchange, especially within and across Asia.
What, one might ask, constitutes a genuine dialogue? An exchange between two independent voices where exploring the other and exploring the self take place at the same time.
Nineteen men and women, all professionals in the field of culture and the arts, from seven countries across Asia, attempt to engage with four diverse cultural organizations by studying them in their own environments, to better understand their histories, their achievements, and their survival strategies.
The case studies are of: Zuni Icosahedron, a creative arts group in Hong Kong, working in the areas of experimental performance and multimedia presentations, arts collaborations, cultural exchange, arts education and cultural policy; Institute Dayakologi, a community-based group in Pontianak, Indonesia, concerned with revitalizing the culture identity of the indigenous peoples of Kalimantan through participatory research, educational programmes, publications and advocacy; Kyomachiya Saisei Kenkyukai a research association for the regeneration of traditional wooden townhouses (machiya) in Kyoto, Japan; and The Seagull Foundation for the Arts, Calcutta, India, focused on promoting, documenting and disseminating contemporary arts and media.
Each is very different in terms of socio-cultural context, focus of work, role played in its respective community, and day-to-day functioning. This difference and variety have been highlighted in both the text and the design of the volume, which is a collage of extracts from interviews, letters, e-mail exchanges, essays, articles, newspaper write-ups, reports, diary entries, poetry, reflective pieces, and photographs. Many voices engaged in dialogue here, with each other, and with the photographs that open up yet more ways of seeing.
This highly unusual book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the theory and practice of cultural activism and cultural exchange, especially within and across Asia.
Contents
In the Beginning
Conversations in Hong Kong
Tales From Planet Zuni
In the Land of the Dayaks
A Quiet Noon in a Wooden House
Of Matching Frames and Other Tales
Appendix: The Project