Asia Forum Arts and Environment Roundtable: Publications

The roundtable was moderated by Annie Jael Kwan and Hammad Nasar and attended by 130 individuals. The session was held on 7th November 2024 at Lahore Museum Auditoriums. Editorial teams of Southeast of Now, Hybrid, and Art Margins, participated in the conversation. They discussed their perspective and the role their publications play in circulating research and writing related to art.

The session explored the evolving nature of publishing, emphasizing the process from conception to the final product. The speakers highlighted the importance of institutional growth, and the need to support emerging scholars. The discussion also addressed challenges in making content more equitable, especially through translation, and examined the impact of online and print formats on readership. 

Below is a summary of the viewpoints shared by the speakers:

Kiran Ahmad and Seher Naveed – Hybrid

The talk was on the role of institutionalization in academic publishing. Seher shared insights into Hybrid, a transdisciplinary journal based at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. The journal’s evolving editorial board addresses themes like conflict, risk, and soil, reflecting its dynamic approach to art, design, and culture. Kiran highlighted the importance of design in the journal’s visual presentation, emphasizing minimalism and context. Overall, the conversation explored how journals navigate the tension between institutional recognition and the flexibility needed to foster innovation and inclusivity, especially in rapidly changing academic landscapes.

Thanavi Chopradit, Eric Goh, and Vera Mey – Southeast of Now: Directions in Contemporary and Modern Art in Asia

Southeast of Now is a peer-reviewed academic journal focused on Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, launched in 2013. Vera shared that the journal emerged from a desire to address the lack of regional art history resources and create a platform for scholarly dialogue beyond traditional Western frameworks. Hosted by In-Press in Singapore, it offers free, open-access content, including peer-reviewed articles, translations, artist pages, and reviews. The speakers shared that the journal prioritizes inclusivity, encouraging younger researchers and artists to contribute. With a growing readership, Southeast of Now continues to evolve, expanding its scope and academic community.

Sven Spieker and Sanjukta Sunderason – Art Margins

Art Margins is an academic journal that focuses on contemporary art practices in global margins, particularly exploring underrepresented perspectives outside Western art histories. The journal publishes academic articles, translations, reviews, and contributions from artists, with an emphasis on marginalized histories and innovative approaches to art theory. The speakers shared that over the years, Art Margins has evolved, especially with the addition of culturally diverse editors who have integrated postcolonial and decolonization discussions into the publication.