By Design and Modernity in Asia: National Identity and Transnational Exchange 1945-1990

Addressing histories of modernism, the discourse of modernity and modernisation processes in national and transnational contexts, this book examines different designs for and meanings of ‘modern living' across 20th-century Asia. Design and Modernity in Asia contributes to the fast-growing body of literature on postcolonial modernism and non-Western global design history, with particular focus is on post-civil war and postcolonial years in Asia. The book develops methodological approaches to studying Asian modern design history and explores how marginalised individuals and groups encountered or experienced modernity. Most previous research on modernism and modernity in Asia has focused on certain geographical pockets and within particular national boundaries such as China, India and Japan. This book expands the discourse of modernism to include geographical areas or countries in Asia that have been under-explored in scholarly debates such as Bangladesh, Iran, Korea and Turkey. The newly unearthed histories complement and challenge the existing paradigm of modernism debates. Developed from extensive primary research and a great variety of case studies, each chapter in this book illuminates commonalities and particularities of the trajectories of modernism, and their translation and manifestation in Asian living. Review A show with something to say, and a stylish way of saying it. --The Stage (on High Rise Estate of Mind) If there were thousands more like Murray who managed to breakthrough from a working class background to the mainstream Arts, the landscape would be very different to what it is today. --Breaking the Fourth Wall Its dramatic authenticity is pitch perfect. --Exeunt About the Author <b>Conrad Murray</b> is an artist, performer, beatboxer and rapper from Mitcham, South West London. He is a qualified and experienced secondary school teacher, the artistic director of the Battersea Arts Centres Beatbox Academy, co-artistic director of the hip hop theatre company Beats and Elements and associate artist at BAC. His shows include <i>No Milk for the Foxes </i>(Camden Peoples Theatre 2015);<i> DenMarked </i>(BAC 2016); <i>Frankenstein </i>(BAC 2018); <i>High Rise eState of Mind </i>(BAC/CPT 2019). He is currently musical director and composer on <i>Crongton Knights </i>(Pilot Theatre), director on <i>Pied Piper: Silent City </i>(BAC), and composer and musical director for <i>Mrs Noah </i>(Headlong); he is also working with the BBC on a screen adaptation of <i>Frankenstein </i>to be screened on BBC4 in March 2020. He was awarded the Off Westend and Total Theatre Awards for <i>Frankenstein.</i>