This panel investigates the interrelationships between race and orientalism, geography (real and imagined), and performance/display in early 20th century US. The papers will tie into the 2005 American Studies Association conference theme, "Groundwork: Space and Place in American Culture" in order to consider the ways that the raced and gendered body is performed, and how space itself is embodied, often in racial/ethnic terms. The 2005 ASA conference will take place in Washington, DC on November 3-6.

I am seeking one paper to complete the panel. The other panelists will be focusing on transgressive women who performed exoticism for fame and fortune. One panelist is focusing on white American fantasies about India in the early 20th century, and their effects on race and immigration politics in the US. The other panelist will discuss the perceived differences between Chinese and Japanese identities and performance in the U.S.

Please submit abstract and CV to Jolie Sheffer (e-mail address provided below) by January 15, 2005.