Professor Timon Screech is a professor of the History of Art, writer and scholar with an expertise in early modern Japan. His presentation entitled ‘From the Gate to the Railing: Changing Iconographies of Power in Japan’ focused on the iconography of power in Japan and how it drastically changed during the Meiji Era. Prof. Screech looked specifically at the transition from the monumental gate that hid the shogun’s residence, and consequently the shogun itself, to the railing that, conversely, invited the people to see inside freely. This pivotal change was due to the decision by the Japanese ruling class to reinvent their monarchy, following European examples. Japan's attempt to be in line with the European hegemonic model articulated the common TAD subjects such as cultural difference, transculturation, and hybridity. Fascinatingly was to negotiate how all these diverse cultures perceive the same thing differently, what meanings and definitions they attribute to such visual element and how they treat [it] in terms of use, and most importantly how 'railings' constitute a 'visual marker' of different identities. The topic of the talk was particularly aligned to the TAD group agenda, in particular to concepts such as transculturation, hybridity, and globalisation; in other words, how two or more different cultures interact with each other. Quoting two of the attendees: "Although the topic was specific to Japan, I was interested in how different perspectives consider the complexity of culture and in relation to transculturation. My own research contexts relate to Zimbabwe and South Africa, in which I am using postcolonial concepts such as 'hybridity'. The intersection of our combined themes as a group engaging in critical dialogue led to some interesting and thought-provoking discussions on the challenges involved in the use of cultural references (visual and written), sources, and writing. I found the presentation and discussion that came from it really beneficial." Hayley Mardon, PhD Northumbria "Listening to Professor Timon's presentation regarding the 'railings' in ancient Japan and their developments over the course of different dynasties, in terms of structure, purpose and accordingly their significance and value, encouraged me directly relate to the railings of my own cultures which are Belarusian and Jordanian. This was certainly relevant to my own research study as it deals with T-shirt [s] from around the world, which also considered a visual object subjected to numerous interpretations and capable of negotiating, presenting, and reflecting different notions of identities." Rima Darras, PhD Northumbria The Prof. Screech arguments were clearly explained and accessible to a variegated audience, not only Japanese Studies researchers, as he was happy to give a brief overview about the history of Japan and the peculiarity of the Japanese monarchy. Moreover, his methodology can be used as an example of how to develop a visual culture research in relation to social and political aspects.
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