Theme: 11. ‘Pan-Africanism’, ‘Bandung Spirit’, ‘Global South’ Futures and the New World Order

Afro-Asian Solidarities in Arts and Culture III

Roundtable Convenor(s)

• PB

  Peter Bloom

  University of California - Santa Barbara, United States
• EW

  Emily Wilcox

  William & Mary, United States
• LZ

  Ling Zhang

  International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands

Roundtable Chair(s)

• PB

  Peter Bloom

  University of California - Santa Barbara, United States
• LZ

  Ling Zhang

  International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands

Roundtable Participant(s)

• SN

  Sarah Niazi

  International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands
• DC

  Delinda Collier

  School of the Art Institute of Chicago, United States
• TC

  Tings Chak

  Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, China
• CS

  Carolien Stolte

  Leiden University, Netherlands
• FW

  Fang Wan

  Yanshan University, China

Roundtable Abstract:

We propose a Strategic Roundtable discussion that involves eleven (11) participants from three panels that have been organized collaboratively that all consider Afro-Asian Solidarities in Arts and Culture from different perspectives: “Cinema Networks in the Spirit of Bandung (1),” “Negotiating Institutional Spaces and the Axis of Patronage (2),” and “Revolutionary Third Worldism in Writing and Dance (3).” We would like to assemble as a group to synthesize themes and questions that emerge from the three panels to develop a collective approach. We are attentive to questions of “solidarities” through institutional, cinematic, literary, and performative Afro-Asian contexts as addressed in each of the papers. A significant theme involves sub-regional contexts and cultural engagement from an institutional but also a political perspective by which cultural creative activity, labor, and production become codefined. We consider the extent to which contexts for solidarity involve relationships of anti-colonial struggle, national liberation, postcolonial subjecthood, and patronage exist in relation to the nexus of art and culture associated with literature, media, art and  performance. 

The opportunity to hold a Strategic Roundtable in the immediate aftermath of our three panels will allow us to develop a proposal to extend our work together. We are interested in following the suggested format for the Strategic Roundtable such that two co-conveners will direct the discussions in an inclusive and orderly manner while also taking notes regarding the substance of the discussions. As suggested, the co-chairs will summarize the incremental development of the discussion at various intervals during the 3 hour and 30 minute time slot in order to further develop our theme in the framework of a grant (through IIAS, ACLS, or Mellon) culminating in a future workshop resulting in a joint publication project. We are enthusiastic about extending our work together through the opportunities afforded by this important IIAS Africa-Asia, A New Axis of Knowledge Conference (3). 

The three panels include:

Panel 1: Cinema Networks in the Spirit of Bandung
Chaired by Ling Zhang (State University of New York, Purchase College/IIAS Leiden)

Panel 2: Negotiating Institutional Spaces and the Axis of Patronage

Chaired by Peter Bloom (UC Santa Barbara)
Panel 3: Revolutionary Third Worldism in Writing and Dance
Chaired by Emily Wilcox (William & Mary)