Past Symposium

In this age of global exchange, people, things, and information are crossing national borders on an unprecedented scale. People of diverse backgrounds are visiting museums around the world, with each person perceiving the art they encounter in different ways. Moreover, the roles of museums are being reevaluated and the definition of “Japanese” art is becoming more inclusive. Narratives of Japanese art are also becoming more nuanced, with many scholars sharing the view that because the arts of Japan are so diverse and complex, they cannot be explained through a few essential characteristics. Generally, we may regard museums as places that create narratives between past and present through physical objects. Curators create exhibitions that are influenced by their respective cultures and environments. Through these exhibitions they interact with diverse audiences. Each curator and visitor creates his or her own narrative of Japanese art, yet none of these narratives is the single “correct” one. Through concrete examples of museum exhibitions and the narratives they create, this symposium will provide an opportunity to better understand the diversity and complexity of Japanese art.

Program

>> Application Form