Into the Modern: The Spread of Middle Eastern and Asian Cultures into Western Communities

This week, I chose to explore the blogosphere looking for stories connecting Western Europe with cultures from the Middle East and Asia. What I found were several articles that talked about different areas of culture, but all of which described the spread of Asian cultures into Europe. Some, like the presence of Vietnamese restaurants in Paris, remind us of the connections these countries once shared in colonial times. Indeed, Paris’ occupation of Vietnam in the mid- to late-19th century contributed greatly to Vietnamese culture, from their food to their economics. We see in Edwards’ blog that the cultural mixing continues as Edwards, a business traveler, takes comfort in the 13th arrondissement and its restaurant offerings. Other areas of Asian influence in Europe have taken form in a different, and extremely creative, way. In London, two art exhibits have recently opened that feature Middle Eastern artists and “the emergence of a global altermodernity.” The exhibits usher in this new form of art with style. It is said that in order to see the entire display would take about twenty-four hours due to the complexity and number of interesting pieces. Shocking works of art are not just about a stationary sculpture; one of the pieces, for example, features local musicians that play politically themed songs on a giant accordion. Both the art exhibits in London and the restaurants in Paris remind us that the effects of globalization are not one-way, although they are certainly held in a more negative light in areas of the world that experience Westernization. What we come to realize is perhaps the countries that do the majority of the influencing can pick and choose what they take from others: in Paris, they take the restaurants and the authentic food, yet they do not recognize the importance of a building in which a controversial political leader once lived. In London, art exhibits make a huge impression. But what does it take to awaken Europeans to the idea of the Middle East? Modernity, a change, and controversy that is displayed directly before their eyes. Below, I have pasted copies of my comments on each of the blogs. The first blog I explore is "Finding Hanoi in Paris" by Erin G. Edwards. The second is Pam Kent’s "In London, Two Exhibits, Each With a Message." Both posts are part of the Globespotters blog of the International Herald Tribune.

"Finding Hanoi in Paris"
Comment

I thoroughly enjoyed your post and share your appreciation for the presence of Asian cultures in Western contexts. It is interesting that you mention the presence of a large Asian community within the Parisian atmosphere. Although your article centers on the Vietnamese culture represented, you also mention that the 13th arrondissement is typically referred to as Chinatown. The grouping together of these two cultures, which are very distinct in their own way, demonstrates a certain disregard by Western societies for the intricacies of Asian culture. It seems that here in the United States as well that there are communities that come together to share their food, their clothing and their music but that become amalgamated with other Asian civilizations. For example, Chinatown in Los Angeles also features one of the better Filipino restaurants in the area. The two cultures are completely different, yet what they have to offer is grouped into one category by Americans – they are Asian countries, not separately the Philippines and China. From what you mentioned about the previous residence of Ho Chi Minh, it causes me to wonder if the French do something similar: do you feel that Europeans pick and choose parts of other cultures that they want to experience and overlook the rest? Ho Chi Minh’s former home, which should be at the very least recognized by a plaque of some sort, remains hidden in the depths of Chinatown. What drives Parisians to want to erase this part of history from their city? It could be that Parisians and Europeans in general are hesitant to acknowledge the presence of someone historically remembered as being the ultimate opposing force to their democratic and capitalistic lifestyle. However, it could also be the fear of their own past: Western cultures fear their contribution to the evil that has taken place in history. We, as victors in previous conflicts, erase evidence of our negative influence, and pit our past selves directly against those whose ideas seem contradictory to our own. As I mentioned before, it seems as if we Westerners make selections as far as what we choose to enjoy from other cultures without actually embracing the culture as a whole.


"In London, Two Exhibitions, Each With a Message"
Comment

I appreciate your post on these exhibits and desperately wish I could get to London to visit them myself. From what you have described in your post, it seems that these works of art are shocking and revolutionary. Furthermore, their presence in the European community is essential to another message: the Middle East has a voice in the international community, and they want us to hear it. You mention in your article the emergence of a new era of art, the era of Altermodernity. The presence of this new era is crucial to understanding the development of international culture over the past few decades. You quote a press release which describes the transition of the global art movements as changing from 20th century Western focused modernism to post-modernism shaped by multiculturalism and finally altermodernism that is “expressed in the language of global culture.” In such a short period of time, it appears that the focus of art and culture is gravitating towards the implementation of global influences to reflect the modern struggles and temperaments of a given community. It is my opinion that in this time of transition in the international community, art is reflective of the cultural effects of political policies that increase relations between countries.

You also mentioned in your post that many of these artists are now currently working in Europe and the United States. In light of the touchy political climate between the United States and the Middle East, how do you feel these artists can make a difference in perhaps changing the attitudes that many Americans have towards their cultures? It would seem, from the perspective of the United States, that many Americans lack a rounded understanding of Middle Eastern cultures and are given only images of war, terrorism, and fear. It is my hope that exhibits like this one can change this perception and help cultures to understand one another better instead of taking from each other only limited amounts of information.