‘Modernity's Cultural Politics: China in Context’ is a two-day conference that considers the formations and functions of cultural production, in representing and intervening ethico-politically into the ongoing projects of modernity, particularly when modernities intersect with processes of globalization. The conference will focus on the incomplete projects of Chinese modernities, through panels on critical theory, contemporary art, film and documentary, media and the public sphere, with invited speakers from Asia, the US and the UK.

Topics include, but are not limited to: the intellectual legacy of post-Tienanmen modern critical theory; the politics of postwar and contemporary art in traditional and experimental media, as they are affected by postcoloniality, globalisation, feminism and the cultural revolution; the ways in which film – commercial film, auteur film, and documentary – imagine modern politics and publics, and reflect/resist the logic of capital; the conditions of modern media in an age of intellectual property and social media, as significant forces in how culture intervenes into the tumultuous processes of modernity, and the modern nation’s struggle for self-definition.

SPEAKERS / CHAIRS include: Tani E. Barlow, Una Chung (Sarah Lawrence College), Harriet Evans (University of Westminster), Paul Gladston (University of Nottingham at Ningbo, China), Joan Kee (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Peter Osborne (Middlesex University), Adele Tan (Courtauld Institute of Art), Tsering Topgyal (London School of Economics), Wang Chaohua (Academica Sinica, Taiwan), Winnie Wong (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Xin Xin (University of Westminster, China Media Centre) Zhang Xudong (New York University), Zhang Yingjin (University of San Diego), Soyoung Yoon (Purchase College, Stanford University)

DETAILS

DATE/TIME: 23 October 2009 (1pm - 6pm) – 24 October 2009 (10 am - 6pm)
VENUE: Kenneth Clark Lecture Theatre, The Courtauld Institute of Art, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN (Nearest tube stations: Temple / Charing Cross)
COST & BOOKING: £25 (£15 concessions and/or students; free for Courtauld students, but pre-booking is required). Please send a cheque made payable to ‘Courtauld Institute of Art’ to: Research Forum Events Coordinator, The Courtauld Institute of Art Research Forum, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN, clearly stating that you wish to book for the ‘Modernity’s Cultural Politics: China conference'. Or call 020 7848 2785/2909 to make a credit card booking. Or, for further information, send an email to ResearchForumEvents@courtauld.ac.uk
ORGANISERS: Dr. Julian Stallabrass & Jeannine Tang (Courtauld Institute of Art)
SUPPORTED BY: LCACE (London Centre for Arts and Cultural Exchange) and the British Academy