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The Asian Art Publication Lab (AAPLab) is a Montréal-based research and creation laboratory at the intersection of academia and public culture. Our goal is to act as a bridge between East and West by decolonizing Asian arts through inclusive and critical dialogue. Our goal is to foster Asian arts, with an emphasis on the diaspora, and on relations of arts and technology. We believe that by connecting and reimagining the perceptions of East and West, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive community of artists and arts enthusiasts. To achieve this, we publish and translate books, essays, and stories that showcase the rich diversity of Asian art practice and creation. AAPlab calls for artists and researches to engage with us, offering an in-person and virtual platform for exploring and embodying innovative pan-Asian art projects. AAPLab is a year-round project of Arts East-West, a Québec-based, artist-driven nonprofit organization supporting Asian media arts since 1996. Another distinguished project of Arts East-West is Korean Film Festival Canada, which had its eleventh edition this year.
AAPLab hosts a roundtable discussion called ART-Talks. This gathering brings together artists, researchers, and curators to delve into discussions surrounding Asian media-based artwork. ART-Talks aims to explore and celebrate the diverse landscape of Asian artistic expression.
The International Conference on Asian Diaspora and Migration Narratives stands out as a significant event celebrating Asian arts and exploring the multifaceted experiences of the Asian diaspora. This hybrid symposium integrates film screenings, dynamic discussions, and interactive ART-Talks panels. It provides a platform for diverse perspectives, fostering community and inclusivity.
AAPLab organized the South Korean Women’s Cinema Conference in 2021, a three-day event recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in Korean cinema. This conference featured engaging panels, keynote speeches, filmmaker spotlights, and interactive workshops. It emphasized collaboration, innovation, and appreciation for the remarkable achievements of women in the Korean film industry.
Our Asian Diaspora Book Collective (ADBC) is an online book reading and discussion community on the subject of the Asian diaspora and migration studies through the arts, which includes novels, essays, films, visual works, and round table talks.
ADBC is a project of the Asian Art Publication Lab (AAPLab), which is an Asian arts research and creation laboratory focusing on publications and translations primarily given to East Asian and pan-Asian diasporic arts. This community-based reading group is open to the general public and requires no membership fee. In our vibrant community, we embarked on a journey to enrich Asian public culture and foster a deeper understanding of our identities, casting light on the diverse perspectives within the Asian diaspora. Gathering individuals from different backgrounds, we discovered the power of togetherness, as we immersed ourselves in carefully chosen topics. Through the shared passion for literature, we found joy and connection, forming a collective that embraced the beauty of shared interests.
By encouraging the exploration of Asian stories, we unearthed a wealth of knowledge and understanding. In this safe space, we ventured to meet our neighbours, exchanging ideas and opinions thus enriching our perspectives. As the pages turned, new visions and perceptions emerged, expanding our horizons and igniting a transformative journey of self-discovery.
Join our bi-weekly meetings!
AAPLab is actively involved in publishing and translating books, essays, artwork, and other content related to Asian Canadian and Asian Arts. The aim is to enhance accessibility and promote dialogue, with plans to introduce translation services as part of their ongoing work.
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