Creative Engagement in Urban Spaces of East Asia with Minna Valjakka

Summary

Art historian Minna Valjakka speaks with Satoko Naito of the University of Turku about her concept of socially engaged creativity, which aims to both broaden and complicate the notion of civic participation through art and creativity. The conversation focuses on her research on protests in Hong Kong as well as various forms of urban hacking and environmental art, highlighting the wide range of protagonists that actively participate in civil discourse and the diverse expressions of their engagement. Dr. Valjakka also shares her approach to on-site fieldwork, stressing the prioritization of respect for the protagonists.

The Nordic Asia Podcast is a collaboration sharing expertise on Asia across the Nordic region, brought to you by the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) based at the University of Copenhagen, along with our academic partners: the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Turku, Asianettverket at the University of Oslo, and the Forum for Asian Studies at Stockholm University.

About NIAS: https://www.nias.ku.dk/

Transcripts of the Nordic Asia Podcasts: https://www.nias.ku.dk/nordic-asia-podcast

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Satoko Naito

Satoko Naito is a docent of Japanese studies at the Centre for East Asian Studies, University of Turku, Finland. Research interests include Japanese literature, cultural history, and gender studies.

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