Revisiting Modernism and its Impact on Asia – 2025.11.07

The Rui Cunha Foundation and the Docomomo Research Center of Macau host, on Friday, Novembe 7 at 6:30pm, a talk entitled “Reframing Modernism: Grounded Modernities in the Mediterranean of Asia”

This talk revisits the concept of modernism through an Asian lens, challenging the dominant Eurocentric narratives and proposing a reframing rooted in local cultural and environmental contexts. Drawing from the mAAN Macau Declaration of 2001, which affirmed Asia as a dynamic source of identity shaped by industrialization, colonization, and sustained interaction with the West, the lecture redefines Asian modernism and modernity with a deliberate shift in emphasis: a small “a” for architecture, a small “m” for modernism, and an “s” for plural modernisms. This linguistic repositioning reflects the multiplicity and grounded nature of modern experiences across Asia.

Focusing on Southeast Asia and the region surrounding the “Mediterranean Sea of Asia,” where Macao is situated, the talk highlights architectural expressions that embody local responses to global influences. These grounded modernities are not mere adaptations but creative syntheses that reflect indigenous values, climatic conditions, and socio-political histories. Through selected case studies, the lecture illustrates how modern architecture in Asia is a testament to the ingenuity of past generations and a foundation for future cultural resilience.

By revisiting the principles laid out in the mAAN Declaration, the talk advocates for a renewed commitment to documenting, conserving, and critically engaging with Asia’s modern architectural heritage. It calls for a pluralistic understanding of modernism—one that is inclusive, context-sensitive, and reflective of Asia’s rich and complex trajectories toward modernity.

Dr Johannes WIDODO

A professor at the National University of Singapore, teaching at the MA Architectural Conservation Program. Affiliations: mAAN (modern Asian Architecture Network) founder executive, AAHM (Asian Academy for Heritage Management) executive committee, UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation jury, ICOMOS ISC member, ICOMOS National Committee (Indonesia and Singapore) founder, DoCoMoMo (Macau and Singapore) founder, iNTA (International Network of Tropical Architecture) founder & executive, TCHS (The Circle for Human Sustainability) member, and SEACHA (South East Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance) founder and advisory board member.