After Superflat: Nuclear War (Introduction)

Course Description

Summary

Conducted through research that focuses on the development of Japanese subcultures in the Post World War II period, this course poses various critical inquiries about the effects of nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on contemporary global consumer society, visual culture and the production of art. We will also bring into focus the trauma revisited up on Japanese citizens and creators by the recent nuclear disaster of Fukushima. Research projects will be focused on the cultural and socio-political underpinnings of manga, anime, film, consumer goods, and fashion etc. This is a cross-disciplinary studio art class. 

This 2000-level class is for students who have not taken the previous After Superflat class but are interested in learning the socio-political framework and specificities of Japanese culture from 1945 to today through readings on the history of Japanese subcultures, Japanese art theories and movements that were developed during the post war period.