This rich collection of essays offers a multi- and inter-disciplinary discussion of "trans-Asia" approaches from critical theory, historical studies, cultural studies to film studies. In doing so the authors lay down the groundwork for a more inclusive knowledge-production and fruitful transnational collaboration. The authors engage with the implications of "trans-Asia" using a range of empirical cases. At the heart of the book is a desire and attempt to give a grounded understanding of what "trans-Asia" approaches are by examining human mobilities, media culture flows and connections across Asia and beyond in four key aspects: cross-border flows and connections; inter-Asian comparison and referencing; transnational and de-nationalized approaches; and cross-border collaboration.
Jeroen de Kloet is Professor of Globalisation Studies and Director of the Amsterdam Centre for Globalisation Studies at the University of Amsterdam. Yiu Fai Chow is Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Baptist University. Gladys Pak Lei Chong is Assistant Professor of Liberal and Cultural Studies at the Department of Humanities and Creative Writing at Hong Kong Baptist University.
1. Introduction: Towards Trans-Asia: Projects, Possibilities, Paradoxes, Gladys Pak Lei Chong, Yiu Fai Chow and Jeroen de Kloet 2. Trans-Asia as Method: A Collaborative and Dialogic Project in a Globalised World, Koichi Iwabuchi 3. What is the "Trans" in Trans-Asia? Yiu Fai Chow and Jeroen de Kloet 4. Transcending Trans-Asia? Lessons from Trans-Europe, Ien Ang 5. Towards Asian Independence: The Transpacific and Inter-Asian Trajectories of Taraknath Das, Chih-Ming Wang 6. On Exile Trilogy: Trans-Asia Trajectory, Soyoung Kim 7. Asian Theatricalities in the Transpacific: The Hispanophone Transculturation of Nick Rongjun Yu's The Crowd or, Performing the Chinese Cultural Revolution in Peru, Rossella Ferrari 8. Repeating Anime's Creativity Across Asia, Stevie Suan 9. Trans/Asia: A Multi-Mobilities Solution to Identity Politics? Jiyu Zhang 10. Dwellings, Aspirations, and the Good Life: Inter-Referencing Young People in Beijing and Hong Kong, Gladys Pak Lei Chong 11. Coda: Rolling Back Towards a Trans-Asia Future? Yiu Fai Chow, Gladys Pak Lei Chong and Jeroen de Kloet
As the editors state from the outset, the purpose of this collection is to advocate "an intellectual move away from Eurocentric modes of theorizing" (p. xv), explaining further the flaws of Eurocentric theory in the introduction and proposing trans-Asia methodology as a potential substitute. . . Nine essays explore a diversity of what trans-Asia might mean as a theory or practice, ranging from a general recognition of the values of globalization to the ways in which cultural productions and material culture can be employed to transcend a nationalist model of identity to become trans-Asian. . . Scholars of theory and method will likely find this study valuable for its insights. . . Overall, the editors and authors deserve credit for seriously considering trans-Asian alternatives to Eurocentric models for further investigation. In that regard, Trans-Asia as Method achieves its purpose. Summing Up: Recommended. . . Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. * Choice *
