Encounters with Southeast Asian Modernism: Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Singapore, and Yangon

Symposium with contributions from Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Singapur und Yangon

Date: 30. August 2019, 15.30 Uhr
Location: TAK at Aufbau Haus, Prinzenstraße 85 F, 10969 Berlin

Encounters with Southeast Asian Modernism sheds light on the history, significance and future of modernism in selected cities of Southeast Asia in the context of the Bauhaus centenary 2019. In many countries of Southeast Asia, the mid-20th century likewise marked the start of a new era as former colonies gained their independence. Young states such as Burma (today Myanmar), Indonesia, Cambodia and Singapore were faced with the task to establish themselves as new nations and defining their own postcolonial identity in an international context. Their efforts often included the use of architecture and urban planning to express this new beginning.

With partners in Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Singapore and Yangon, Encounters explores the impact of modernism at the crossroads between globalization, local conditions, and the search for an own identity, starting with this period of upheaval that accompanied the transition to independence after colonial times:

– How did local modernisms emerge in Southeast Asia, what role did international discourse play in their development, and what concepts do they offer today?

– What promises can be found in the architectural concepts, what values and ideas underlie them, and what narratives are inscribed in the design?

– How do architecture and urban design that developed from modernist concepts reach beyond the local context to impact the broader, global discourse?

With contributions by:

Avianti Armand, Architect, Avianti Armand Studio, curator,
architectural scholar, Jakarta, Indonesia
Puay-Peng Ho, Professor, Head of Department of Architecture, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore
Sereypagna Pen, Architect, urban researcher, Executive Director of The Vann Molyvann Project, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Pwint, Professor, Deputy Head of Department of Architecture, Yangon Technical University, Myanmar
farid rakun, Artist, researcher and instigator, ruangrupa, Jakarta, Indonesia
Setiadi Sopandi, Architect, Indra Tata Adilaras Architects, curator, architectural scholar, Jakarta, Indonesia
Shirley Surya, Curator for Design and Architecture, M+ museum for visual culture, Hong Kong
Lyno Vuth, Artist, curator, Artistic Director of Sa Sa Art Projects, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Johannes Widodo, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore
Win Thant Win Shwin, Architect, planner, lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Mandalay Technological University, Myanmar

Moderation:
Ute Meta Bauer, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Art, Professor at the
School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Eduard Kögel, Curator, architectural scholar, lecturer, Berlin

Venue:
TAK at Aufbau Haus
Prinzenstraße 85 F
10969 Berlin

After the symposium you are invited to join the reception in the courtyard of the TAK.

We are looking forward to your participation!

Event information:
The symposium will be held in English.
Admission is free. Please register until 28 August.
Contact for further information and registration:
mail@seam-encounters.net

More information on the project: www.seam-encounters.net

Encounters with Southeast Asian Modernism is funded by the German Foreign Office as part of the 100 Years of Bauhaus program.

stadtkultur international is project partner.