Asian Art Resource Room

The Modern Art Group 90 established

The Modern Art Group 90 (now known as New Zero Art Group) is founded.

The Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center

The Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center is established.

Thawan Duchanee exhibition tours

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual II: Thawan Duchanee is held (Feb. 6–Mar. 25 at Fukuoka Art Museum). The exhibition tours to Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center, Tokyo (Apr. 7–23).

Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center opens with an exhition of Fukuoka Art Museum collection

Narrative Visions in Contemporary ASEAN Art, consisting of the collection of Fukuoka Art Museum, is held from February 12 to 26 as an inaugural exhibition of the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center, Tokyo. Curated by Ushiroshoji Masahiro (Fukuoka Art Museum).

Socialism abondoned

The government shifts from socialism to a multi-party-based political system.

“Political Pop” advocated by Li Xianting

Li Xianting presents a concept of “Political Pop.”

The Artists Village closed

The Artists Village closes its studio in Lorong Gambas after the government repossesses the property for urban development. They move to the Naval Base, but the new space does not allow them to organize public events.

Exhibition of works created in the first ASEAN Symposium on Aesthetics

Tradition, the Source of Inspiration (May 2–Jun. 17 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held. The exhibition tours to the Japan Foundation’s ASEAN Culture Center Gallery (Jun. 23–Jul. 15).

Democratization in progress

The National League for Democracy wins a majority in the elections, but the military government refuses to hand over power.

Event by the Artists Village in Singapore Festival of Arts

The Artists Village holds the C.A.R.E. (Concerned Artists for the Environment) Show at the Festival Fringe of the Singapore Festival of Arts.

The first exhibition of Chinese avant-garde art outside China

Art Chinois: Chine Demain Pour Hier (Jul. 7–31 at Pourriéres, Frace) is held curated by Fei Dawei who lives in France as the first introduction of contemporary Chinese art outside China. Participating artists are Cai Guoqiang, Huang Yongping, Chen Zhen, Yang Jiechang, Gu Wenda, and Yan Peiming.

The Substation founded

The Substation, a non-profit art space, is founded, to support the production of works in a wide variety, such as performance, music, and visual arts.

Museum City Tenjin begins

Museum City Tenjin: Circulation of Sensibility–Visual City, Functioning Art (Sep. 17–Nov. 4 at various locations in Tenjin, Fukuoka) is held. The participation of Cai Guoqiang leads the project to organize the Exceptional Passage exhibition held next year. The exhibition continues on a biennial basis between 1992 and 2002 in various locations in Tenjin and Hakata. Each time, Asian artists are invited to participate.

Agnes Arellano solo exhibition

A solo exhibition by a Filipino artist, Agnes Arellano: Myths of Creation and Destruction II: The Temple of the Sun God (Sep. 19–Oct. 28 at Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka), is held.

Tan Chin Kuan solo exhibition

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual IV Tan Chinkuan: Malaysia—Stage-Art of Tragedy (Dec. 11–Feb. 11 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held and tours to the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery (Mar. 7–21, 1991).

Exhition of two Singaporean artists

The New Generation in Contemporary Singaporean Art (Dec. 13–26 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery, Tokyo) is held. Participating artists are Baet Yeok Kuan and Lim Poh Teck.

Exhibition of Indonesia print tours in Japan

Contemporary Indonesian Prints (Feb. 9–24 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery, Tokyo) is held and tours to Hakodate Museum of Art, Hokkaido (Nov. 11–Dec 8). Curated by Setiawan Sabana (Bandung Institute of Technology, printmaker),

Cai Guoqiang solo exhibition at P3

Primeval Fireball: The Project for Projects Cai Guoqiang (Feb. 26–Apr. 20 at P3 art and environment, Tokyo) is held.

Exhition of three Chinese artists

Asian New Wave: China, Fang Zhongming, Cai Guoqiang, Wang Xinping (Mar. 11–23 at Tokyo Gallery) is held.

Edgar Talusan Fernandez solo exhibition

Edgar Talusan Fernandez: Contemporary Art of the Philippines (Jul. 9–21 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery, Tokyo) is held.

Large-scale exhibition of five Chinese artists gives Japanese art world a great impact

Exceptional Passage: Chinese Avant-garde Artists (Aug. 29–Sep. 29 at the Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka, and Sep. 1–30 at Kashii former train yard, Fukuoka) is held, organized by the Museum City Project, curated by Fei Dawei. The exhibition becomes the first full-scale exhibition of Chinese contemporary art, including large outdoor installation, in Japan and has a nationwide impact.

Tang Da Wu solo exhibition, the first introduction of performance artist by FAM

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual V Tang Da Wu [Tang Dawu] is held (Sep. 10–Nov. 10 at Fukuoka Art Museum), as the museum’s first solo exhibition of a performance artist.

Two Koreas join the United Nations

South and North Korea join the United Nations.

Montien Boonma solo exhibition

Contemporary Thai Artist—Montien Boonma: The Pagoda & Cosmos Drawn with Earth (Oct. 16–Nov. 3 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery, Tokyo) is held and tours to Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka (Jan. 3–26, 1992).

Kim Jeong-il’s Misulron (Theory of Art).

Kim Jeong-il publishes Misulron (Theory of Art).

Soviet Union collapses

The Soviet Union collapses.

Shahzia Sikander starts innovating traditional miniatures

Shahzia Sikander graduates from the National College of Arts, Lahore, and starts innovating traditional miniature art through applying contemporary themes and styles.

Mongolian People’s Republic established

A new constitution is established, and the Mongolian People’s Republic is born. The socialist system in which the state purchased artwork is dismantled.

Exhibition of Malaysian artists

Today’s Malaysia Seen through Art: Contemporary Malaysian Art is held (Mar. 18–Apr. 5 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Center Gallery, Tokyo) .

The Space exhibition with local and international artists

The Artists Village and National Arts Council jointly organize The Space, a Fringe Festival visual arts event for the Singapore Festival of Arts (May 31–Jun. 21 at the Hong Bee Warehouse). Forty local artists and twenty international artists participate in the event.

Exhibition of oil paintings from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in 1935

The Reorganization of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts in 1935: Westen-style Painting of the Era in Japa, Korea, and Taiwan is held (Aug. 14–Oct. 6 at Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum).

South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with mainland China

South Korea establishes diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and cuts ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The first large-scale exhibition of Southeast Asian contemporary art by the Japan Foundation

New Art from Southeast Asia 1992 is held. After the exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space Exhibition Gallery (Sep. 15–25), it tours to Fukuoka Art Museum (Sep. 29–Oct. 18), Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (Oct. 31–Nov. 29), and Kirin Plaza Osaka (Dec. 2–13). The exhibition becomes the first large-scale exhibition of contemporary art from the Southeast Asia by the Japan Foundation.

Exhibition in public spaces

Artists, including Navin Rawanchaikul, teachers, and art students organize the Art Festivals: Temples and Cemeteries, which is later known as the first exhibition of Chaing Mai Social Installation. The festival consist of installations, performances, talks, and participatory events. Experimental public arts and cultural events take place in the public spaces of the city for three months.

East Village artists’ community establishe

Artists including Zhang Huan and Ma Liuming found an artist’s community, which later becomes “East Village” in a Beijing suburb.

Cai Guoqiang solo exhibtion

Cai Guoqiang’s solo exhibtion, Long Mai: The Dragon Meridian is held(Jan. 22–Mar. 20 at P3 art and environment).

The first large-scale introduction of Chinese avant-garde art at an European art museum

China Avant-Garde (Jan. 30–May 16 at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin) is held. The exhibition tours to the Kunsthal Rotterdam, the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, and the Kunsthallen Brandts Klædefabrik (Denmark), becoming the first large-scale exhibition of Chinese contemporary art.

The first historical survey of Chinese avant-garde art

China’s New Art, Post-1989 (Jan. 31–Feb. 14 at Hong Kong City Hall, Pao Galleries, and Hong Kong Arts Centre) is held. The exhibition introduces artworks crated after the second Tiananmen Square Incident. Works of cynical realism and political pop receive attention. The exhibition tours to Taipei, Sidney, London, Vancouver, and five cities in the United States, including Eugene.

Cai Guoqiang’s project to extend the Great Wall

Cai Guoqiang conducts the Project to Extend the Great Wall of China by 10,000 Meters.

Rasheed Araeen solo exhibition, the first solo show of Europe-based Asian artist in Fukuoka

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual VI Rasheed Araeen: Strife and/or Structure is held (Feb. 2–Mar. 28 at Fukuoka Art Museum) .

Performance Art Festival begins

The first edition of the performance festivals organized by Shimoda Seiji. From 1995 onward, it continues today as Nippon Internatioanl Performance Art Festival.

Art and Asia Pacific begins publication.

The magazine, Art and Asia Pacific, begins publication.

Chinese paintings presented at Venice Biennale

Avant-garde Chinese paintings, including that of Fang Lijun, Wang Guangyi, and Ding Yi, are exhibited at the 45th Venice Biennale.

Exhibition of Singaporean and Japanese artists

Facing the Infinite Space: Contemporary Paintings from Singapore and Japan (Jul. 6–25 at the Japan Foundation ASEAN Culture Gallery, Tokyo) is held.

National University of Arts and Culture opens in Yangon

National University of Arts and Culture, Yangon, is founded.

Asia Pacific Triennale begins

The 1st Asia Pacific Triennale of Contemporary Art (Sep. 17–Dec. 5 at Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane) is held. 34 of 76 participating artists are selected from Southeast Asia.

Kingdom of Cambodia re-established

Transition from the Republic of Kampuchea to the Kingdom of Cambodia occurs, and Norodom Sihanouk becomes the king again.

Exhibition of Chinese contemporary art

Special Exhibition Chinese Contemporary Art Today is held (Jul. 4–Aug. 5, Tokyo Gallery).

Retrospective of Stars group

The Rise of Chinese Contemporary Art: 15 Years of the Xin Xin Group (Nov. 29–Dec 18. at Tokyo Gallery) is held.

Exhibition of Thai and Japanese artists

Beyond the Border: Contemporary Thai/Japanese Art Exhibition (Dec. 9–16 at P3 Art and Environment, Tokyo) is held and tours to Art Gallery, Faculty of Painting Sculpture and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University, Bangkok (Feb. 14–27, 1994).

Josef Ng’s performance causes controversy and the proscription of performance art begins

At the exhibition, The Artists’ General Assembly, at the 5th Passage Gallery, Josef Ng shaves his pubic hair in protest of the antigay operations. The performance creates a controversy and leads to the proscription of performance art in Singapore.

The first retrospective of People’s Art by a national institution

15 Years of Korean Minjoong Art 1980–1994 (Feb. 5–Mar. 16 at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gwacheon) is held. This is the first exhibition of Minjung Art (People’s Art) by the national institution.

Dhruva Mistry solo exhibition

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual VII Dhruva Mistry (Feb. 8–Mar. 27 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held.

The first exhibiiton of Asian American artists by the Asia Society

Asia/America: Identities in Contemporary Asian American Art (Feb. 16–Jun. 26 at Asia Society Galleries, New York) is held. The exhibition is curated by Margo Machida and tours to six cities in the United States. The participating artists include Hanh Thi Pham, Zarina, Manuel Ocampo, and Tseng Kwong Chi.

Cai Guoqiang solo exhibition in Iwaki

Cai Guoqiang: From the Pan-Pacific (Mar. 6–31 at Iwaki City Art Museum) is held.

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts opens

Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts opens.

Zhang Huan’s performance at a public toilet

Zhang Huan conducts the performance, 12 Square Metres, at East Village.

Vietnam joins ASEAN

Vietnam joins ASEAN.

Three-part exhibition of Asian Art

Creativity in Asian Art Now, Part I Contemporary Folk Art, Part II Contemporary Painting and Sculpture in Asia (Sep. 7–Nov. 13 at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art) is held, under the program of the 12th Asian Games held in Hiroshima. Cai Guoqiang, Anish Kapoor, Tang Dawu, and Yook Keunbyung participate in the Part III Asian Installation Work (Sep. 18–Nov. 6).

The 4th Asian Art Show tours from Fukuoka to Tokyo etc., attracts natiowide media attention, comprises “Asian art boom”

The 4th Asian Art Show, Fukuoka: Realism as an Attitude is held from September 10 to October 16, commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the Fukuoka Art Museum, with the special exhibition Rickshaw Painting Traffic Art in Bangladesh. The workshops are held during the show. The exhibition tours to the Hakone Open-Air Museum (Jan 1.–Feb. 12, 1995), the Akita Integrated Life Cultural Hall Atorion Art Gallery (Feb. 17–Mar. 21), and the Setagaya Art Museum (Apr. 5–May 14). The exhibition introduces politically oriented works produced in China and Southeast Asian countries around 1990, along with installations and performances through artist-in-residence workshops. Partly because the exhibition tours to Tokyo, the exhibition causes a nationwide impact. Together with the exhibitions at Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and symposiums by the Japan Foundation, the exhibition is said to form the “Asian Art Boom.”

Cai Guo-Qiang solo exhibition

Chaos: Cai Guo-Qiang (Sep 20–Nov 3 at Setagaya Art Museum, Tokyo) is held.

The first symposium of Asian contemporary art by the Japan Foundation

Contemporary Art Symposium 1994: The Potential of Asian Thought (Oct. 14–15 at the Japan Foundation Conference Hall) is held.

The first exhibition of exchanges among Chinese, South Korean, and Japanese artists

The ’94 Beijing, International Com-Art Show: is held at Art Museum of Capital Normal University (Oct. 25–31). It is the first culture exchange exhibition by artists from China, South Korea, and Japan. In 1995, the exhibition tours to the Gyeonggi Arts Center, Korea, then to Kirin Plaza, Osaka (Jul. 20–Aug.3), and Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo (Aug. 23–Sept. 5).

Exhibition of Asian artists on “Happiness”

Visions of Happiness: Ten Asian Contemporary Artists (Feb. 25–Mar. 26 at the Japan Foundation Forum) is held, curated by Shimizu Toshio.

Mokoh solo exhibition

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual VIII Mokoh: Peeping into 〈Paradise〉 (Mar. 13–Apr. 23 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held.

Exhibition of Korean artists in Venice Biennale

Tiger’s Tail: Fifteen Korean Contemporary Artists for Venice is held at the 34th Venice Biennale (Jun. 12–Oct. 14), and Jheon Soochen receives an award.

Exhibition of South Korean artists on “Mind”

Territory of Mind: Korean Art of 1990’s (Jul. 29–Oct. 10 at the Contemporary Art Gallery, Art Tower Mito) is held.

Kim Young-Jin (Youngjin) solo exhibition

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual IX Kim Young-Jin (Sep. 5–Nov. 5 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held.

Gwangju Biennale begins

The 1st Gwangju Biennale: Beyond the Borders is held, featuring 660 artists from 58 countries. The artistic director is Lee Yongwoo, and the curator for Asian artists is Oh Gwangsu.

Exhibition of development of Modernism in Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand

Asian Modernism: Diverse Development in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand (Oct. 28–Dec. 3 at Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo) is held. The exhibition tours to the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the National Gallery, Bangkok, and Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa (Art Exhibition Hall of the Departement of Education and Culture), Indonesia.

The 3rd Chiang Mai Social Installation joined by Japanese and Singaporean artists

The 3rd Chiang Mai Social Installation (Nov. 19–Feb. 19, 1996) is held. Participating artists include Yamaide Jun’ya, Nakamura Masato, Sone Yutaka, Fuji Hiroshi, Amanda Heng, and Lee Wen.

Exhibition of paintings from Batuan, Bali

Images of Power: Balinese Paintings Made for Gregory Bateson and Margaret Mead (Dec. 5–Jan. 21, 1996, at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held.

Magazine Art India begins publication.

The art news magazine, Art India, begins publication.

Art space Para Site opens

Para Site, an independent art space, opens.

Singapore Art Museum opens

The Singapore Art Museum opens with two exhibitions, Modernity and Beyond: Themes in Southeast Asian Art and Channels and Confluences: A History of Singapore Art (Jan 21–Apr 20).

Asia Edge exhibition in Japan

Asia Edge 1996 (Jan. 26–Feb. 2 at P3 art and environment) is held.

Shanghai Biennale begins

The Shanghai Biennale (Mar 18–Apr 7 at Shanghai Art Museum) is held.

Exhibition of photography from Hong Kong

New Images from Hong Kong (May 31–Jul. 14 at Tower Gallery, Yokohama) is held and tours to Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka (Nov. 17–Dec. 8).

Exhibition of Korean art in 1990s

An Aspect of Korean Art in the 1990s (Sep. 25–Nov. 17 at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo) is held and tours to the National Museum of Art, Osaka (Dec. 5–Jan. 26).

The first exhibiiton of Asian contemporary Art in New York

Contemporary Art in Asia: Traditions/Tensions (Oct. 3–Dec. 23) is held in three venues in New York City: the Grey Art Gallery, the Queens Museum of Art, and the Asia Society Galleries. The exhibition is curated by Thai curator Apinan Poshyananda and is the first large-scale Asian contemporary art exhibition in the U.S. It further tours to Canada, Australia, and Taiwan.

Exhibition of East Asian art on myth of fite

Origin and Myth of Fire: New Art from Japan, China and Korea (Oct. 12–Dec. 8 at the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama) is held.

Fang Lijun solo exhibition

Fang Lijun: Human Images in an Uncertain Age (Nov. 2–Dec. 1 at Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo) is held.

Exhibition of Asian artists on water

Aqua Asia: Asian Art Exhibition (Dec. 6–20 at the International Conference Center, Rinku Gate Tower Building, Osaka) is held.

International workshop with artists from Pakistan and the 4th Asian Art Show

Lahore International Art Education Workshop (Dec. 8–22 at the National College of Arts, Lahore) is held. Nilofar Akmut organizes the event and invites Fuji Hiroshi and Lee Wen, whom she met at The 4th Asian Art Show, Fukuoka.

Khoj Workshop begins

Khoj starts the International Artist Workshop.

Hanh Thi Pham solo exhibition (the last edition of Asian Artist Today)

Asian Artist Today Fukuoka Annual X Hanh Thi Pham, Vietnam × America: Her Body in Revolt (Feb. 4–Mar. 30 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held and becomes the last in the series.

Women’s Art Exchange Exhibition ”Womanifesto”

Womanifesto: An International Women’s Art Exchange Exhibition is held at Concrete House (Bangkok) and Baan Chao Phraya (Nonthaburi). Advisors are Somporn Rodboon, Jantawipa Apisuk, and Chumpol Apisuk.

Exhibition of Chinese artists

Immutability and Fashion: Chinese Contemporary Art in the Midst of Changing Surroundings is held at Kirin Art Space Harajuku (Mar 8–Apr 19), Kirin Plaza Osaka (May 9–Jun 8), and Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium Fukuoka (Aug 30–Oct 5).

Exhibition of Chinese artists

Chinese Contemporary Art 1997 (Apr. 5–Jul. 27 at Watarium Art Museum, Tokyo) is held. Zhang Huan presents a performance.

Exhibition of Southeast Asian artists

Art in Southeast Asia 1997: Glimpses into the Future　(Apr. 12–Jun. 1) is held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, co-organized by the Japan Foundation. The exhibition tours to Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art (Aug. 2–Sep. 15).

The first exhibition of historical developments of modern art from five countries of Southeast Asia

The Birth of Modern Art in Southeast Asia: Artists and Movements (May 9–Jun. 8 at Fukuoka Art Museum) is held. The exhibition is the first large-scale exhibition in Japan that introduces modern art from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The exhibition tours to Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum (Jun. 17–Jul. 13), Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art (Jul. 19–Aug. 31), and Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Sep. 6–Oct. 12).

Art school for crafts established in Bhutan

The Trashiyangtse Institute of Zorig Chusum (Art School for Thirteen Crafts) is established by the National Technical Training Authority.

Cai Guoqiang conducts an explosion project in anti-documenta exhibition

A Project group Stoffwechsel organizes Encountering the Others in Kassel, Germany (Jun. 20–Sep. 28). Cai Guoqiang participates with the explosion project.

Currency crisis in Asia

The Asian financial crisis occurs, starting from Thailand, causing a series of currency devaluations in Indonesia, South Korea, and other Asian countries.

Hong Kong returned to China

Hong Kong is returned to China, ending over 150 years of British rule.

Laos and Myanmar join ASEAN

Laos and Myanmar join ASEAN.

Exhibition of Indonesia realistic paintings

The Mutation: Painstaking Realism in Indonesian Contemporary Painting (Aug. 24–Sep. 7 at the Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo) is held.

Urban style Asian art exhibition international tour

Cities on the Move (Nov 26–Jan. 18, 1998, at the Vienna Secession), a major traveling exhibition curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Hou Hanru, is held and tours to New York, Bordeaux, Humlebaek (Denmark), London, Bangkok, and Helsinki. The exhibition involves 150 artists, architects, and urban designers, becoming the first event to feature the impact of the spread globalism and hyper-urbanization.

Group Open Circle formed

Tushar Joag and Sharmila Samant found the Open Circle. Archana Hande and Shilpa Gupta join later. The group organizes various street actions and art festivals.

Selasar Senaryo Art Space opens

The Selasar Senaryo Art Space opens in Bandung.

Voluntary Artists Studio founded

The Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu (VAST) is founded, providing art education, workshops, and exhibitions.

Busan Museum of Art opens

The Busan Museum of Art opens.

Anti-Suharto demonstration

Students begin a sit-in at the parliament building, demanding Suharto’s resignation.

President Suharto resigns

President Sukarno resigns, and Habibie becomes the third president.

Taipei Biennial begins to invite international artists

Taipei Biennial: Site of Desire (Jun. 3–Sep. 6 at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum) is held. Starting in 1998, the biennial begins inviting international artists.

Reformasi movement advances

Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is dismissed, and the Reformasi (reform) movement advances.

Serial exhibition of Taiwanese artists

Contemporary Taiwanese Art Exhibition: The New Identity is held at Mitsubishi-Jisho Artium, Fukuoka. Part 1 (Aug. 27–Sep. 15) features Lee Mingsheng, Mei Dean-E, and Yao Juichung; Part 2 (Sep. 18–Oct. 4) features Hou Chunming and Chen Chienpei; and Part 3 (Oct. 8–25) features Chu Chiahua and Wang Junjieh. The exhibitions are organized by MOMA Contemporary.

Exhibition of Chinese art

Inside Out: New Chinese Art is held (Sept. 15– Jan. 3, 1999) at Asia Society and P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center (present-day MoMA PS1) in New York. The exhibition tours to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Asian Art Museum, as well as the Museo de Art Contemporañeo in Monterrey and Tacoma Art Museum, Mexico, and other museums.

Exhibition of Indian art

Private Mythology: Contemporary Art from India (Oct. 17–Nov. 29 at Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo) is held.Vivan Sundaram.

The 1st Asian Artists Exchange on Performance Art

Asiatopia: Performance Art in the Park, The 1st Asian Artists Exchange on Performance Art, 1998 / Jaxpa ’98, Oct. 20–26.

Group Taring Padi formed

Taring Padi is formed by approximately 25 members with various backgrounds, including activists, students, art practitioners, and self-taught artists. Upon their founding, they release their manifesto, “Five Cultural Evils.”

Alternative Space Loop opens

The Alternative Space Loop opens in Seoul.

Cambodia joins ASEAN

Cambodia joins ASEAN.

MARA University of Technology established

Institut Teknologi MARA becomes Universiti Teknologi MARA (The MARA University of Technology).

The National Art Gallery, Maldives

The National Art Gallery opens.

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum opens with the first Fukuoka Triennale

The 1st Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale 1999, Communication: Channels for Hope (Mar. 6–Jun. 6) is held as an inaugural exhibition of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum.

Exhibition of early oil paintings in East Asia

Oil Painting in the East Asia: Its Awakening and Development is held at Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art (Apr. 10–May 23) and tours to Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art (May 29–Jul. 11), Tokushima Modern Art Museum (Jul. 17–Aug. 29), Utsunomiya Museum of Art (Sept. 12–Oct. 20), and Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Oct. 30–Dec. 19).

Exhibition of abstract art by Asian American artists

Asian Traditions/Modern Expressions: Asian American Artists and Abstraction, 1945–1970 is held at Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (Apr. 11–May 30) and tours to Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (Jul. 17–Aug. 22) and Akita Senshu Museum of Art (Sep. 4–Oct. 11).

The “yansu yishu” (kitsch art) appears

Ouh La La Kitsch, at TEDA Contemporary Art Museum, Tianjin, curated by Liao Wen and Li Xianting. The term “yansu yishu” (kitsch art) first appears in this exhibition.

National Museum opens

National Museum Indonesia opens.

Chinese artists in Venice Biennale

In The 48th Venice Biennale, Cai Guoqiang wins the International Prize with his work, Venice’s Rent Collection Courtyard. Huang Yongping representing France, Ma Liuming and Zhang Huang participate in the Biennale,

Exhibition of Korean woman artists

Women’s Art Festival 99: Patjis on Parade (Sep. 4–27 at Seoul Arts Center) is held. Participating artists include Song Hyunsook, Jung Jung-yeob, Lee Bul, and Yun Suknam.

The 2nd Bangkok Asian Performance Art Festival

AsiatopiaⅡ/1999: The 2nd Bangkok Asian Performance Art Festival (Nov. 20–21)