HISTORY OF ART IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The course is one of the core educational activities of the Degree Program in Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (Southeast Asia curriculum); it intends to construct and consolidate the student's knowledge of the regional artistic productions. The course aims in fact to offer an overview of the visual history and material culture from the various regions of Southeast Asia, by analyzing artistic and architectural productions that can be traced back to the various historical and political contexts, and religious traditions. At the same time the course intends to demonstrate how the study of the visual productions can constitute a crucial support in the analysis of historical, political, religious and social phenomena, both in ancient and in modern and contemporary periods.

Key objective of the course is a critical approach to the artistic and architectural production of some Southeast Asian regions. The student at the end of the course should master the appropriate vocabulary and be able to identify, describe and critically analyze art objects, sculptures and monuments from the geographical areas treated in relation to their historical, political and religious context. Great importance will be given to the comprehension of the artistic phases and dynamics of patronage, to the evolution of the different regional productions and of their peculiar artistic vocabularies. The course aims especially to examine the symbolic importance and the perception of the work of art and the role of the artistic patronage and production in the political propaganda and in the processes of identity-building by looking also at the modern and contemporary role of the sites analyzed.

None, but a good knowledge of the English language in order to access autonomously to the bibliography is desirable.

This year the course will examine fundamental themes of the visual and material culture of Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Thailand and Cambodia. Through the analysis of a selection of sites and works of art, related to the various cultural and religious contexts within the region, the course aims to trace artistic developments by giving great importance to dynamics of encounter and exchange of artistic vocabularies and techniques. The Buddhist art and architecture, the Hindu structures and their conception in the region will be the main issues addressed. Space will also be given to cultural interaction between the areas analyzed and their exchanges with their neighboring kingdoms. Finally, the topic of the musealization of Southeast Asian art productions will also be explored, as well as the current debate regarding the preservation, musealization and restitution of artworks.

Essential readings:
- Course notes and slides.
- Choice of Italian or English version of:
Alexandra Green, Il Sudest asiatico. Una storia per oggetti, Einaudi Torino 2023
Alexandra Green, Southeast Asia: A History in Objects, The Trustees of the British Museum – Thames & Hudson Ltd, London 2023
- One volume of your choice from:
Marilia Albanese, Angkor. Fasto e splendore dell’impero Khmer, White Star, Vercelli 2002
Marilia Albanese, Angkor. Splendors of the Khmer Civilization, White Star, Vercelli 2002
Nicoletta Celli, Antica Thailandia. Storia e tesori di un’antica civiltà, White Star. Vercelli 2010
- Two articles of your choice from:
Louise Tythacott and Panggah Ardiyansyah (ed. by), Returning Southest Asia’s Past. Objects, Museums, and Restitution, Nuss Press, Singapore 2021.

The complete bibliography for the exam will be provided during the course. A series of scientific writings useful to examine in depth the topics discussed in class and to carry out the assignment will be indicated during the course and uploaded on the university's e-learning platform moodle.unive.it.

During the course, the student will be asked to prepare an in-depth analysis of a topic related to the course contents; it will be presented to the class (teamwork assignment) and by each student during the final examination and evaluated. Assessment will be by means of a final oral examination on the approached themes and of the assigned work; great importance will be given to the students' attendance and active participation to lessons and discussions, the appropriate use of the technical vocabulary and the ability to critically approach the proposed readings.

Frontal classes, complemented by lectures, conferences and the discussion of issues raised during the classes. The course will adopt a thematic approach and will move from the analysis of the visual productions. Through the study of styles, art objects and dynamics of patronage, discussions and a critical approach will be ecouraged.

English

Students are strongly advised to attend classes regularly; whose unable to regularly attend classes are asked to contact the professor at the beginning of the course in order to discuss the examination program.

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