Art and Literature

Ai Weiwei Rockin' Out
by Griffin Cote

Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, has announced that he is producing a rock album, to debut in about three weeks; this is not his first attempt at music – he created a parody of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” late last year. Like his parody, this music will most likely be aimed at the Chinese government, as it is inspired by his imprisonment for alleged tax evasion, and includes songs about the activist Chen Guangcheng and government internet blocks. Ai Weiwei is famous for his architecture and sculptures, which include the Bird’s Nest Stadium and exhibits across Europe and America, many of which reflect his critical views of the Chinese government.  

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News

A Billion Dreams Against One

by Sam Medley

 

In the first week of 2013, the notoriously liberal Southern Weekly of Guangdong Province planned to publish their annual New Year's Greeting. Before publishing, the newspaper had to submit a draft to the local propaganda authorities for approval. In the early hours of January first, the editors were called in to revise the greeting on the grounds that it was too inflammatory. The original 2,000 word version was cut to 1,000. The title “China's Dream, the Dream of Constitutionalism” was changed to the more appealing “We Are Closer to Our Dream Than Ever Before.” It became obvious that the dreams of the people are second place to the dream of the government. But what are these dreams? What exactly do the revisions say about hopes for China's future?

The original unedited version calls for constitutionalism, strict observance of the nation's constitution on all levels. No more favoritism. No more class-ism. No more corruption. The greeting demands justice. It references the nightmare of the Cultural Revolution, the embarrassment of British Colonial rule, and the cruelty emanating from every possible direction:

“At one time, people were distanced from benevolence, righteousness, and the ways of heaven.      They were distanced from the commitment to freedom.”

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Centreterm

Buddha in the Big City:

Religion and Modernization in Shanghai and Bangkok

Instructors:

Dr. Chris Paskewich, Government

Dr. Kyle David Anderson, Chinese     

              

Course Description and Objectives:

A voyage abroad to investigate how China and Thailand's rich religious and cultural pasts are being shared with an increasingly postindustrial present.  Students will study and recreate layouts of Shanghai and Bangkok, including religious landmarks, parks, waterways, modern architecture, etc., and follow the daily rituals of local monks, lay people and tourists that reshape and complicate the purposes of these Asian mega-cities.  We will also explore spaces outside the city centers that are crucial to the definition of the urban area: rural temples and monasteries, plantations, slums, westernized satellite malls, beaches, etc.  Special focus will be placed on how China and Thailand are adapting traditional Buddhist practices, socio-political structures and spaces to the radical demands of national development and globalization in the 21^st century.  

20 DAY ITINERARY:
China: Shanghai

Thailand: Bangkok-Chiang Mai

Required Texts:

·     Shahid Yusuf, Postindustrial East Asian Cities.  ISBN: 9780821356227

·     Yoshiko Ashiwa.  Making Religion, Making the State.  

    ISBN: 9780804758420

·     Donald K. Swearer, The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia.  

    ISBN: 978-1438432502

·      Ross King.  Reading Bangkok.  ISBN: 9781438432502

Assignments and Grading:

·      Field Journal for Individual Mapping Projects                         25%

·      Opening Exam (on Yusuf, Swearer)                                             25%

·      Presentations                                                                                  15%

·      Reading quizzes (on King and Ashiwa)                                       10%

·      Research paper                                                                               25%

JAN3              Depart Lexington for Shanghai          

4                      Arrive in Shanghai—Welcome dinner at Sapar Uyghur Restaurant

5                      The Bund and Pudong—East-West Architectural Fusion

6                      Nanshi (the Old City) and Buddhist Temple Visits

7                      The People’s Square and Museum Visits

8                      The Boulevards: Nanjing and Huaihai Lu

9                      European Satellite Cities

10                    Fengjing Old Town

11                    Depart for Bangkok—tour of Khao San Road

11                    Temples visits—Wat Arun, Wat Mahathat, Wat Pho

12                    Temples visits—Wat Saket, Wat Traimit, Wat Sutat

13                    Overnight stay at Monastery Wat Ambhavan

14                    Commercial districts—Chidlom, Sukhumvit, Ratchaprasong

15                    Day trip—Ko Samet National Park

16                    Government and museums visits—Grand Palace, National Museum

17                    Depart for Chiang Mai (train)

18                    Temple visits—Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Umong, Wat Gate

19                    Doi Inthanon National Park

20                    Return to Bangkok

JAN21            Return to Lexington

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