This course examines gender and the production, reception, and interpretation of art in Japan, its diaspora, and global contexts. Organized thematically, it spans from the premodern period to the present day, examining the gendering of materials and genres, the imposition of Euro-American and modern gender norms on premodern and non-Western artists and artifacts, and the construction of gender within specific cultural, historical, and political contexts. Students will have an opportunity to research the work of women, gender minorities, and underrepresented groups to reconsider traditional art historical narratives. The course also delves into Buddhist and non-binary conceptions of gender, national and transnational subjectivities, modern masculinities, and feminist art practices. Alongside art analysis, discussions will incorporate historical context and theoretical readings from various cultures and disciplines.
HAA 186K