Displaced Becomings –The Many Faces of Modern Architecture in Sinophone Asia

I have no nation now but the imagination.
Derek Walcott, The Schooner Flight

The idea was that in [a] society, one that’s incompletely modernized… the temporal dynamics of that society, and of the modernism that it produces, will be much more striking… [I]t is through the experience of time that modern is apprehended.
Fredric Jameson interview with Michael Speaks
Jameson on Jameson: Conversations on Cultural Marxism

Modern architecture was much more than “the International Style,” as proclaimed by the vanguards in 1932. Modern architecture sprang up all over the world, in all political systems, in all geographical regions, in all kinds of conditions specific to each case. In many cases, through the drift and shift of transformation, adaptation, and intervention, modern architecture gained momentum going forward and expanded its foundations both professionally, theoretically, and socially. After all, modernity also indicates battling the preexistent colonialism, imperialism, neocolonialism, as well as institutionalized chauvinism of all kinds. Such is the case with modern architecture in Sinophone Asia, which includes Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong/Macau, Singapore, and some parts of Nusantara, the Southeast Asian archipelago. These are the cases, topics, and areas that the course covers.

The course provides an exploratory study of the histories, theories, ideologies in which the discipline is practiced, as well as currently practicing over time and across cultures and geographies under the umbrella of “modern architecture.” The idea is to call for a [re]discovery of the multiplicity and diversity of modern architecture. The emphasis is on a plural reading and understanding of modern/contemporary architecture through multiple cultural and critical lenses. The lecture discusses significant projects, prominent figures, noteworthy historical moments, and momentous social and political events. The lecture also examines architectural movements and other-isms, as well as offers a glimpse of the recent Grands Projects and the work of the emergent generation.

The course is structured around faculty presentations, guest lectures, and collective discussion. The students will be tasked with completing two assignments. The first is a case study assignment, and the second is a short end-of-the-semester paper on a topic related to the course. There are no prerequisites.