Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia

Conference | Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia

5 December - 6 December 2024

Thursday 5 December (16:30-18:30)

Friday 6 December (10:00-19:00)

Lecture Theatre, Faculty of History, University of Oxford, 41-47 George St, Oxford OX1 2BE

Free but registration required.

Register here to join the conference on Thursday 5 December only

Register here to join the conference on Friday 6 December only.

Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia aims to explore the multifaceted intersections of art, gender and activism in East Asia, in particular, China, Japan and Korea.

In recent years, the intersection of gender, art and activism has emerged as a dynamic field of enquiry, providing a platform for critical discussions on the complexities of social justice and equality. Unruly Visions: Art, Activism and Intersectionality in East Asia aims to explore and unpack the multifaceted dimensions of this intersection in the East Asian context, in particular, China, Japan and Korea. By adopting a translocal perspective, the conference seeks to bridge shared intersectional conditions across East Asia while acknowledging the importance of context-specific histories that shape the experiences of diverse communities.

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Key Perspectives: 

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• Socially Engaged Art and Activism: Exploring the transformative intersection of art and activism, this theme focuses on practices that actively engage with and contribute to social change. How do artists and activists in East Asia employ creative strategies to challenge existing power structures, promote inclusivity and amplify marginalised voices?
• Context-Specific Histories: Understanding the local histories and socio-political contexts is crucial for comprehending the diverse challenges faced by individuals and communities in East Asia. This theme invites contributions that delve into the historical roots of gender-based discrimination, the evolution of feminist and LGBTQ+ movements, and the role of art in challenging or perpetuating societal norms. 
• Ecology as Intersectionality: Recognising that the more-than-human ecology is multi-layered and interconnected, this theme encourages a nuanced exploration of ecology as it intersects with gender, art and activism in East Asia. How do factors such as race, class, sexuality and disability intersect with ecology in shaping lived experiences?
• Translocal Perspective: This theme invites scholars, artists and activists to examine the commonalities and shared struggles that traverse national and regional boundaries in East Asia. How do translocal dynamics influence the articulation of gender identities, artistic expressions and activist initiatives?

The conference will feature keynote lectures, panel discussions and artistic presentations. We invite abstract submissions from established and emerging scholars, artists and activists across disciplines and backgrounds working at the intersection of gender, art and activism in East Asia. This inclusive format aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration, creating a space for meaningful exchange and the generation of new insights.​

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The conference aims to contribute to the scholarly discourse on gender, art and activism in East Asia, fostering a deeper understanding of translocal and intersectional struggles. By bringing together diverse voices, the event seeks to inspire collaborative initiatives, amplify marginalised perspectives, and catalyse positive social change in the region and beyond. 

Schedule:

Thursday, 5 December 2024

16:30–17:00 Welcome & Opening Remarks

17:00–18:30 [Keynote Lecture] Professor Meiqin Wang (University of California, Northridge)

Respondent: Maximilian Langefeld (University of Oxford)​​

19:00–21:00 Dinner (Invited speakers and funders only)

Friday, 6 December 2024

10:00–10:30 Tea & Coffee

10:30–12:00 [Panel 1] Gender, Art and Activism in Japan 

Moderator: Natsuko Odate (Art Commons Tokyo / Yoshiko Isshiki Office,Tokyo)

Multiple Spirits (Mai Endo & Mika Maruyama) 

Patricia Lenz (University of Zurich)

Kanako Tajima (Columbia University)

12:00–13:30 Lunch​

13:30–15:00 [Panel 2] Ecology and Gender

Moderator: Xinyue Liu (University of Oxford)​

Jihyeong Lee (Freie Universität Berlin)

Di Liu (University of Cambridge)

Yuzhuo Wang (Communication University of China/University of Leeds)

15:00–15:30 Tea & Coffee

15:30–17:00 [Panel 3] Unruly Visions in Practice

Moderator: Jason Waite (University of Helsinki)​

Whiskey Chow (Artist, London)

Aya Momose (Artist, Tokyo)

Eunseon Park (Listen to the City, Seoul)​

17:00–17:30 Break

17:30–19:00 [Keynote Lecture] Professor Ming Tiampo (Carleton University)​​

Respondent: Haeju Kim (Singapore Art Museum)

If you've any further questions, please contact: unrulyvisions@gmail.com

Organisers: Minji Chun (History of Art, University of Oxford), Maximilian Langefeld (History of Art, University of Oxford), Xinyue Liu (The Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford), Dr Jason Waite (Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki)

Funders: Japan House London, National Center for Art Research, Japan, Center for Interdisciplinary Scientific Awareness and Research, Ulsan National Institute of Science & Technology, The Ruskin School of Art, TORCH, Association for Art History, St Catherine’s College, Oxford