IIAS Working Paper Series IV

Asian and African Performing Arts

In June 1996 the International Institute for Asian Studies is planning to publish the proceedings of the International Seminar on Asian and African Performing Arts which was held on the occasion of the opening of the Nonnensteeg Building on 10-12 May 1995.
The volume is edited by Dr Clara Brakel and will be published in the IIAS Working Paper Series IV. As a result of the innovative set-up of the Seminar, the volume contains contributions from a number of internationally renowned scholars covering a rich variety of topics, ranging from South Indian martial arts to the performance kabuki theatre in Hawai'i.
The variety of topics is matched by the variety in approaches to the subject. The theme of the Seminar, emphasizing the role of the performer as an (inter)cultural transmitter, forms the central issue in most contributions. Some authors focus on the intercultural aspects of dramatic performances, others highlight their function as cultural interpretations of social ideals and processes. Another issue is the question of how the changing channels for transmission of the arts affect the structure and function of dramatic performances. Great attention is paid to contextual influences on the performance and several contributions discuss how actors are dependent on their relationships with audiences and patrons.
The volume concludes with the announcement of two audacious, new audio-visual productions on South Indian ritual drama, which formed an exciting contribution to the audio-visual section of the seminar.