MoMA's Cold War Exhibitions in Southeast Asia: Local Appropriation and Agency
In Afterall Journal 51, Kathleen Ditzig analyzes the ways in which Southeast Asian figures utilized MoMA's exhibitions to further local interests during the Cold War. In 1962, Priscilla Taylor from the National Library of Singapore sought MoMA's 'Visionary Architecture' for a UN seminar. Curated by Arthur Drexler, this exhibition included Kiyonori Kikutake's Marine City. Although the US Information Agency found it unhelpful, the exhibition ran from 18 March to 9 April 1963, alongside 'Housing in Singapore,' drawing 7,368 attendees. Minister Sinnathamby Rajaratnam connected the showcased projects to public housing, aligning with the People's Action Party's goals. Earlier, in 1957, 'Recent American Prints in Colours' was displayed in Manila, raising concerns for MoMA's Porter McCray regarding identification. Ditzig contends these instances highlight local agency in cultural exchanges.
Key facts
- Priscilla Taylor requested MoMA's 'Visionary Architecture' exhibition on 20 October 1962.
- The exhibition was curated by Arthur Drexler and featured speculative projects.
- USIA deemed the exhibition not 'useful' but it was shown with Singapore government funding.
- 'Visionary Architecture' was presented from 18 March to 9 April 1963.
- It was shown alongside 'Housing in Singapore' funded by the Housing Development Board.
- 7,368 visitors attended the exhibition at the National Library Singapore.
- Minister Sinnathamby Rajaratnam spoke at the opening linking the exhibitions.
- In 1957, 'Recent American Prints in Colours' was included in the First Southeast Asia Art Conference and Competition in Manila.
- Porter McCray expressed concern about MoMA's identification in the Manila exhibition.
- The essay argues that Southeast Asians appropriated MoMA exhibitions for local purposes.
Entities
Artists
- Priscilla Taylor
- Rene d'Harnoncourt
- Arthur Drexler
- Kiyonori Kikutake
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Sinnathamby Rajaratnam
- Lee Kuan Yew
- Walter Lieberman
- Porter McCray
- Kathleen Ditzig
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- National Library of Singapore
- United Service Information Service (USIS)
- United Nations
- United Service Information Agency (USIA)
- Housing Development Board (HBD)
- People's Action Party (PAP)
- Art Association of the Philippines (AAP)
- Afterall Journal
Locations
- Singapore
- New York
- Manila
- Philippines
- Southeast Asia
- Selegie
- Queenstown
- Washington
- United States
- Australia
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Malaya
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Sources
- Afterall —