AAS-in-Asia Call for Proposals

Dear friends,

I would like to attend the AAS-in-Asia conference in Korea - am planning on presenting my work on Cambodian royal ballet performers/dancers in the West.

I look at the role of Cambodian dance in Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy in the West. It looks into the unique political context of Cambodia following its independence from France, arguably the period where Khmer dance performances became an integral part of Cambodia's modern politics and diplomatic affairs. It explores the dynamic relationship between dance and politics from Sihanouk's rise to power in 1953 up until 1970 and examines the role of dance in articulating Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy and interrogates how Cambodian dance incorporated Cambodia's changing political interests, ideology and expressions. More specifically, this project traces the performances of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia to the United States, Europe, and the Soviet Union and examines their role as cultural ambassadors for Cambodia. It also investigates how Cambodian political leaders such as Sihanouk leveraged traditional Khmer dances in forging foreign relations with the West amidst Cold War tensions. Finally, it probes into the reception and perceptions of the 'Western' audience and scrutinizes how these imaginaries reinforce or challenge their Cold War interests. 

I could fit in panels on cultural cold war in Asia; or Asian dance and politics; or post-colonial Cambodia...

Do let me know if you're keen to collaborate!

Looking forward!

Darlene

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Darlene Machell Espena
Assistant Professor
Singapore Management University
darlenee@smu.edu.sg
------------------------------

Dear Dr. Darlene Machell Espena,

I am so excited about your project in Cambodian Royal Ballet because my research focuses on Chinese classical dance and Chinese ballet. I am interested in attending the AAS-in-Asia conference in Korea with one of my papers. My area of study is the hybridity between Chinese classical dance and ballet in post-socialist China from the 1980s to the present. I draw upon postcolonial theory and the idea of Chineseness to examine the hybrid training and choreography at Beijing Dance Academy.

By looking at the role dance plays in cultural and political exchanges, I think our papers can be fitted together in a panel. I am not sure if we could propose an individual panel or if we wait for collaborations. 

Looking forward to hearing from you and others.

Best,

Ziying




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Ziying Cui
Temple University
tug14614@temple.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2022 04:03 AM
From: Darlene Machell Espena
Subject: Looking for panel/panel members

Dear friends,

I would like to attend the AAS-in-Asia conference in Korea - am planning on presenting my work on Cambodian royal ballet performers/dancers in the West.

I look at the role of Cambodian dance in Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy in the West. It looks into the unique political context of Cambodia following its independence from France, arguably the period where Khmer dance performances became an integral part of Cambodia's modern politics and diplomatic affairs. It explores the dynamic relationship between dance and politics from Sihanouk's rise to power in 1953 up until 1970 and examines the role of dance in articulating Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy and interrogates how Cambodian dance incorporated Cambodia's changing political interests, ideology and expressions. More specifically, this project traces the performances of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia to the United States, Europe, and the Soviet Union and examines their role as cultural ambassadors for Cambodia. It also investigates how Cambodian political leaders such as Sihanouk leveraged traditional Khmer dances in forging foreign relations with the West amidst Cold War tensions. Finally, it probes into the reception and perceptions of the 'Western' audience and scrutinizes how these imaginaries reinforce or challenge their Cold War interests. 

I could fit in panels on cultural cold war in Asia; or Asian dance and politics; or post-colonial Cambodia...

Do let me know if you're keen to collaborate!

Looking forward!

Darlene

------------------------------
Darlene Machell Espena
Assistant Professor
Singapore Management University
darlenee@smu.edu.sg
------------------------------

Dear Dr. Darlene Machell Espena,

My name is Jason Pan. I'm a graduate student that specializes in the field of Classical Chinese Dance in Fei Tian College, New York. My thesis is "The Relationship and Etymology of Traditional Chinese Dance, Martial Arts, and its Implications in Modern Day China". I believe my thesis resonates with your topic and would like to work with you.

I spent last 12 years studying and practicing Classical Chinese dance and have gained in-depth understanding of this art form. I hope to help the revival of traditional culture in Asia, and to achieve this, I hope to explore the duality in Chinese culture, which in turn influenced the whole Asian hemisphere.

If you also deem my field of research relatable to your own, I would like to join in your panel for discussion as well. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Jason Pan
Fei Tian College, New York

------------------------------
Jason Pan
jasonpan8507@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2022 04:03 AM
From: Darlene Machell Espena
Subject: Looking for panel/panel members

Dear friends,

I would like to attend the AAS-in-Asia conference in Korea - am planning on presenting my work on Cambodian royal ballet performers/dancers in the West.

I look at the role of Cambodian dance in Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy in the West. It looks into the unique political context of Cambodia following its independence from France, arguably the period where Khmer dance performances became an integral part of Cambodia's modern politics and diplomatic affairs. It explores the dynamic relationship between dance and politics from Sihanouk's rise to power in 1953 up until 1970 and examines the role of dance in articulating Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy and interrogates how Cambodian dance incorporated Cambodia's changing political interests, ideology and expressions. More specifically, this project traces the performances of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia to the United States, Europe, and the Soviet Union and examines their role as cultural ambassadors for Cambodia. It also investigates how Cambodian political leaders such as Sihanouk leveraged traditional Khmer dances in forging foreign relations with the West amidst Cold War tensions. Finally, it probes into the reception and perceptions of the 'Western' audience and scrutinizes how these imaginaries reinforce or challenge their Cold War interests. 

I could fit in panels on cultural cold war in Asia; or Asian dance and politics; or post-colonial Cambodia...

Do let me know if you're keen to collaborate!

Looking forward!

Darlene

------------------------------
Darlene Machell Espena
Assistant Professor
Singapore Management University
darlenee@smu.edu.sg
------------------------------

Hi,

My name is Benjamin Lee, a grad school student in the field of Classical Chinese Dance in Fei Tian College, New York. My thesis features the connection between classical Chinese scriptures and harmony between different social groups, which I find quite resonating with your topic. 

If you also deem my field of research as relatable to your own, I would like to join in your panel for discussion as well. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

------------------------------
Benjamin Lee
Usanefeir@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-27-2022 04:03 AM
From: Darlene Machell Espena
Subject: Looking for panel/panel members

Dear friends,

I would like to attend the AAS-in-Asia conference in Korea - am planning on presenting my work on Cambodian royal ballet performers/dancers in the West.

I look at the role of Cambodian dance in Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy in the West. It looks into the unique political context of Cambodia following its independence from France, arguably the period where Khmer dance performances became an integral part of Cambodia's modern politics and diplomatic affairs. It explores the dynamic relationship between dance and politics from Sihanouk's rise to power in 1953 up until 1970 and examines the role of dance in articulating Cambodia's Cold War diplomacy and interrogates how Cambodian dance incorporated Cambodia's changing political interests, ideology and expressions. More specifically, this project traces the performances of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia to the United States, Europe, and the Soviet Union and examines their role as cultural ambassadors for Cambodia. It also investigates how Cambodian political leaders such as Sihanouk leveraged traditional Khmer dances in forging foreign relations with the West amidst Cold War tensions. Finally, it probes into the reception and perceptions of the 'Western' audience and scrutinizes how these imaginaries reinforce or challenge their Cold War interests. 

I could fit in panels on cultural cold war in Asia; or Asian dance and politics; or post-colonial Cambodia...

Do let me know if you're keen to collaborate!

Looking forward!

Darlene

------------------------------
Darlene Machell Espena
Assistant Professor
Singapore Management University
darlenee@smu.edu.sg
------------------------------