2025 ImaginAsia is hosted and organized by the College of Communication, NCCU, under NCCU Higher Education Sprout Project.
The participatory partner universities include Meiji University, Chulalongkorn University, Mahidol University International College, Silpakorn University, Dhurakij Pundit University, and Chiangmai University.
The event is also in collaboration with the NCCU Art & Culture Center and MoCA TAIPEI.
► Registration Form: https://forms.gle/13dvh3xtS56YGSAp7
特別放映及映後講座
Special Screening & Post-Screening Talk
11/20(Thu), 19:00-21:00
1F Performance Hall, Journalism Building, NCCU
*Film Still Provided by Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT*
《翻轉大地：1974-1976年泰北農民的起義》
Turning the Bhumi: The Uprising of Farmers in the Northern Thai, 1974-1976
Documentary Film｜Thailand｜2024｜53 mins
導演 Director | Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT
主持人 Moderator｜Associate Prof. CHUNG Shefong, College of Communication, National Chengchi University
與談人 Discussant｜Prof. YAMAMOTO Yohei, Meiji University
*The film features both English and Chinese subtitles, and the post-screening discussion will be conducted primarily in English.
*影片提供中英文字幕，映後講座將以英文進行。
This documentary tells the emotional story of northern Thai farmers' struggles between 1974 and 1976, exploring the shifting conditions of their lives and their alliance with the student movement. The farmers, initially fighting against injustices in land management and the royal "Na Jao" rice fields system, united with students to challenge the ruling elite. This grassroots movement sparked a nationwide awareness, but tragedy struck when the farmers' leader was murdered by a collaboration of the ruling class, local capitalists, and right-wing government elements.
Despite this loss, the farmers' resolve strengthened, leading many to join the Communist Party of Thailand. Their struggle evolved into a larger confrontation with the state and capitalism, with many taking up arms and engaging in political education in the forests. By 1980, the introduction of the 66/23 policy forced them to abandon the fight, returning to find their communities changed and their reclaimed land now owned by others. Facing alienation and economic hardship, the farmers clung to their dreams of a just society amidst the trauma of defeat.
Assistant Prof. Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT
Sorayut, an anthropologist and writer based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has dedicated over two decades to serving the Melayu people in Southern Thailand. He has authored numerous books that focus on themes of identity, selfhood, and sensory perception within the contexts of crisis and conflict. His work particularly explores the tensions between ethnic identity and nationalism through both ethnographic and ethnographical non-fiction. In recognition of his contributions, Sorayut received an Honorable Mention in documentary writing from the Office of Basic Education Commission, Ministry of Education, in 2017, as well as Second Best in Documentary Writing from the Seven Book Award in the same year. Some of his non-fiction works are currently being translated into English and Malay. Additionally, he is a columnist specializing in visual culture and serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Media Arts and Design. Currently, Sorayut is engaged in creating ethnographic films and photography projects that examine the intricate connections between public memory and personal experience, particularly in the context of Thai political violence. Sorayut was a Lisa Maskell Fellowship in Germany (2016 - 2018) and Harvard – Yenching Institute visiting scholar, Harvard University (2019 - 2020).
*Film Still Provided by Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT*
11/21(Fri), 10:00-18:00
Digital Art Center, 2F NCCU Art & Culture Center
ImaginAsia Seminar
Schedule
|
10:00-11:00｜Keynote Speech |
|
|
Continental Melodies and Computer Games: Yellow Magic Orchestra and Afro-Asian Futurism (Sponsored by NCCU Excellence 100 Scheme) Professor OHWADA Toshiyuki American Studies, Keio University |
|
|
11:00-12:30｜Research and Creative Work Presentations_I |
|
|
11:00-11:20 Notations in Translation: A Transcultural Perspective on Arts Assistant Professor HSIEH Chieh-Ting College of Communication, National Chengchi University 11:20-11:40 Mimesis — Sound, Fear, and the Glitch of Faith Pimchanok YAEMSIRI, Undergraduate Student, Media Arts & Design Program, Chiangmai University 11:40-12:00 WHOSE HONG KONG? WHOSE SONG? A Semi-Insider's Listening Experience of Hong Kong Identity LI Ho Yu, Undergraduate Student, School of Journalism & Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Exchange Student, College of Communication, NCCU) 12:00-12:30 Discussion |
|
|
12:30-14:00 Lunch Break |
|
|
14:00-15:50｜Research and Creative Work Presentations_II |
|
|
14:00-14:20 Deconstruction and the Reconstruction of the Soul in Contemporary Art: Aesthetic, Ethical, and Existential Dimensions Professor/Director LEE Kuan Lian, MA & PhD Programs in Fine and Applied Arts, Dhurakij Pundit University 14:20-14:40 Rethinking Modern Happiness: D. T. Suzuki and the Practice of Daily Life ITO Riku, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University 14:40-15:00 THANICA Corporate Identity Dr. Saran TANGTRONGSIT, Lecture of the Creative Art Department, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University 15:00-15:20 Everyday Tasting: Why We Taste and How Cooking Teaches Us About Perception HONZAWA Rion, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University 15:20-15:50 Discussion |
|
|
15:50-17:20｜Research and Creative Work Presentations_III |
|
|
15:50-16:10 Between Anthropologist and Artist: Views from Fieldwork Assistant Professor Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT, 16:10-16:30 Digital Stages of Expression: Feminist Perspectives on Short Drama Platforms ZHAI Yujia, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University 16:30-16:50 Women-Made Waves: Pioneering Women in Taiwan Cinema Assistant Professor CHO Ting-Wu College of Communication, National Chengchi University 16:50-17:20 Discussion |
|
|
17:20-18:15｜Screening of Film & Video Art Work |
|
|
17:20-18:15 Ash Associate Professor LEE Chia-Hua, College of Communication, National Chengchi University Art Works Presented by Silpakorn University |
|
Title & Outline of Presentations
|
Research and Creative Work Presentations_I |
|
|
Notations in Translation: A Transcultural Perspective on Arts Assistant Professor HSIEH Chieh-Ting, College of Communication, National Chengchi University This presentation introduces an artistic research project Transnotators, funded by Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (CLAB) and the Taipei Performing Arts Center (TPAC). This project invites musicians, dancers and artists to research different notations in different cultures. In this project, notation is redefined as “de-scription” in the sense of “writing-down.” The notations researched here are therefore not limited to music and dance notations. Rather, they include diagrams, cartographic images, trigrams of yin and yang in Chinese ancient writing Yi, and mysterious images in Taoism. In the sense that these notations not only represent different ways of “writing things down” but also reflect different ways of “thinking” a priori to things, they are also “pre-scription.” Seeing notation as “de-scription” and “pre-scription” that require“translation,” this project opens up a transcultural perspective on arts. |
|
|
Mimesis — Sound, Fear, and the Glitch of Faith Pimchanok YAEMSIRI, Undergraduate Student, Media Arts & Design Program, Chiangmai University Mimesis is a digital sound experiment exploring faith, fear, and perception. It turns Buddhist moral lessons into sound and light where system errors become emotional language between belief, control, and collapse. |
|
|
WHOSE HONG KONG? WHOSE SONG? A Semi-Insider's Listening Experience of Hong Kong Identity LI Ho Yu, Undergraduate Student, School of Journalism & Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Exchange Student, College of Communication, NCCU) This presentation explores the evolution of Hong Kong identity through Cantopop from the unique perspective of a "semi-local"—born in Hong Kong but raised in Mainland China. Through a musical journey analyzing three songs—Beyond's "Hoi Fut Tin Hung" (1993), Kay Tse's "Wedding Card Street" (2008), and Serrini's "True Beauty of Trees" (2021)—the presentation traces this identity from a confident collective (Beyond), through an era of collective loss (Tse), to a new generation's focus on individual self-establishment (Serrini). The presentation concludes that identity is not static or reliant on a shared past. For a "border person," belonging can be a fluid, self-created act of embracing complexity and building an individual future. |
|
|
Research and Creative Work Presentations_II |
|
|
Deconstruction and the Reconstruction of the Soul in Contemporary Art: Aesthetic, Ethical, and Existential Dimensions Professor/Director LEE Kuan Lian, MA & PhD Programs in Fine and Applied Arts, Dhurakij Pundit University This paper investigates how deconstruction and structuralism—sharing common roots in rationalist philosophy—have profoundly shaped the formation of contemporary art. When rationality extends into art, it transforms artistic creation into a system parallel to scientific logic. Drawing on Heidegger’s ontology and Marcuse’s critique of instrumental reason, the study examines how contemporary art can reconstruct its spiritual dimension under the dual influence of deconstructionism and technological rationality. Through a philosophical and historical review, it traces how the artistic “soul,” once central to metaphysical and ethical aesthetics, was gradually eroded by industrialization and the dominance of reason. By analyzing representative works, this research explores how artists reinterpret the notion of the soul in aesthetic, ethical, and existential terms, revealing both the spiritual crisis and creative renewal of the modern subject. Ultimately, the article proposes a redefinition of the “soul” in contemporary art as a space where deconstruction enables regeneration—bridging the tension between rational structure and emotional transcendence. |
|
|
Rethinking Modern Happiness: D. T. Suzuki and the Practice of Daily Life ITO Riku, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University In this presentation, I would like to explore how happiness takes shape in the contemporary society using D. T. Suzuki's perspectives as a guide. |
|
|
THANICA Corporate Identity Dr. Saran TANGTRONGSIT, Lecture of The Creative Art Department, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University THANICA is a modern Thai cosmetic brand inspired by nature and sustainability. Its name echoes the word "Botanica," while the added “H” stands for “THAI,” highlighting its strong local identity. The brand repurposes agricultural waste—such as durian and pomelo peels—into valuable skincare ingredients rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids. These ingredients help reduce cell damage and support healthy skin, with formulations developed in collaboration with experts from Chulalongkorn University. THANICA targets health-conscious individuals aged 25–35 who value safe, sustainable beauty solutions. With prices starting at 490 THB, the brand offers affordable yet premium skincare rooted in environmental responsibility. The brand’s vision is to create sustainable beauty from Thai nature by transforming farm waste into high-quality products. Its mission includes supporting local farmers, promoting eco-friendly production, and inspiring a new generation to embrace sustainable self-care. THANICA’s visual identity reflects its brand personality—natural, minimal, and contemporary. From packaging and social media to uniforms and retail spaces, every touchpoint communicates a blend of elegance and environmental awareness. As a new brand, THANICA stands for more than just skincare—it represents a movement toward conscious consumption, circular beauty, and pride in Thai innovation. |
|
|
Everyday Tasting: Why We Taste and How Cooking Teaches Us About Perception HONZAWA Rion, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University This talk explores why we taste while cooking and how this act reveals our sensory awareness. Seeing tasting as an engagement between body and space, I consider how it can inspire designs that nurture the act of cooking. |
|
|
Research and Creative Work Presentations_III |
|
|
Between Anthropologist and Artist: Views from Fieldwork Assistant Professor Sorayut AIEMUEAYUT, Department of Media Arts and Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Chiang Mai University The convergence between anthropological practice and artistic creation often emerges through shared concerns with aesthetics, emotion, affect, and sensory perception. Anthropology may call this phenomenon the artistic turn, while the arts may refer to it as the ethnographic turn. Though named differently, both reflect a mutual interest in understanding and narrating human experience through diverse media—bridging cultural differences and offering critical perspectives on injustice and entrenched cultural ideologies. This presentation is grounded in these intersections, drawing upon my fieldwork experiences as one who moves between the disciplines of anthropology and art. It focuses particularly on audio-visual ethnography, exploring the lived realities of marginal and voiceless communities in Thailand. Through this lens, I examine the ethical, interpretive, and methodological dimensions of producing media that both documents and intervenes—serving as a bridge between academic inquiry and public engagement. |
|
|
Digital Stages of Expression: Feminist Perspectives on Short Drama Platforms ZHAI Yujia, Post-Graduate Student, Place, Art, Consciousness Program, Meiji University This presentation examines how short drama platforms in China and Japan create digital spaces where gendered perspectives, cultural narratives, and audience participation intersect. Through comparative analysis of short dramas and comment sections, it explores how women express opinions and negotiate identities within algorithm-driven environments. Adopting a media-centered approach, the talk highlights how platform design and participatory culture shape expression and reception, revealing how short video platforms both reflect and reshape gender dynamics in contemporary East Asian digital media cultures. |
|
|
Women-Made Waves: Pioneering Women in Taiwan Cinema Assistant Professor CHO Ting-Wu, College of Communication, National Chengchi University This presentation extends from my curatorial research for the 30th anniversary program of the Women Make Waves International Film Festival, Inventing the Time: 30th Anniversary Special Presentation. It examines the trajectories of women’s filmmaking in Taiwan and their pioneering contributions to the island’s cinematic history. From early involvement in film production during the colonial period to the creative innovations of contemporary independent cinema, women have continually reshaped notions of authorship, representation, and visibility within a male-dominated field. By revisiting key moments across generations—from early industry practitioners and popular actresses to experimental and documentary filmmakers—this study traces how women have negotiated shifting political, cultural, and technological landscapes. Their works employ film as both a mode of personal expression and a form of social intervention, challenging gender hierarchies while reflecting Taiwan’s evolving social imagination. |
|
|
Screening of Film & Video Art Work |
|
|
Ash Short Fiction | Taiwan | 2024｜20mins Associate Professor LEE Chia-Hua, College of Communication, National Chengchi University Zhou Zonghan, determined to avenge his daughter who died in a car accident, brings a sharp blade to the home of Ah Zhi, the perpetrator, on the day of his release from prison. However, an unexpected act by Ah Zhi shakes Zhou Zonghan's resolve for revenge... |
|
|
Art Works Presented by Silpakorn University |
