Asian American Sound

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Welcome to the world of Asian American Sound. Step into our virtual exhibit that explores the rich tapestry of sonic expressions within the Asian American experience. As we embark on this auditory journey, we invite you to dive into the melodies that traverse generations, echoing the triumphs, challenges, and vibrant traditions of Asian Americans. This collaborative project brings together a myriad of perspectives, shedding light on the unique and often overlooked narratives that unfold through sound. From traditional music, to podcasts, to contemporary fusion, our exhibit strives to capture the essence of Asian American identity through the lens of sonic expression. We attempt to unpack the layers of history, migration, and intersectionality embedded in the harmonies and dissonances. 


Important Concepts

  • A racial stereotype that categorizes Asian Americans as a monolithically hardworking and high-achieving racial minority group; often used to discredit the claims of systematic racism made by other racially minoritized populations, especially African Americans

  • How the media portrays groups of individuals with different characteristics. It refers to how some aspects such as gender, age, physical abilities, age, or race are presented to society. As technology continues to advance in modern society, we can see the impact that the media has on creating and cultivating certain stereotypes about Asian Americans.

  • The process through which diverse cultural elements blend and interact, giving rise to new and unique cultural forms. This phenomenon occurs when different cultural traditions, practices, and influences come into contact and mutually influence each other, leading to the creation of hybrid cultural expressions. It is often associated with globalization and the increased interconnectedness of societies worldwide. Cultural hybridization highlights the capacity of societies to creatively blend and synthesize diverse cultural elements, contributing to the richness and diversity of global cultural landscapes.

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Adain

Adain’s exhibit explores problems facing queer Asian women, including racial fetishization, the Minority Stress Theory, and the perpetual foreigner stereotype, through the lens of Rina Sawayama’s debut album, SAWAYAMA. This section will also highlight the importance of social support networks as it contributes to the buffer hypothesis.

Angelina

Angelina’s exhibit explores the complex issues surrounding Southeastern Asian Americans, such as model minority myth and intergenerational trauma, referencing the Vietnamese American singer keshi and his album skeletons. The significance of proper media representation is also emphasized in this section as one possible solution to ending the generational cycle of grief and trauma.

Eunice

 Eunice’s exhibit explores the effect of stereotypes on the Asian American males experience through a podcast called “Discussing Different Asian Male Stereotypes” on Spotify (also available on Apple podcast). The main discussion is based around how these stereotypes were perpetuated through media since the post-colonial times, affecting how Asian American males are viewed even in today’s society.

Daniel

Daniel’s exhibit explores the intersection of traditional and contemporary music, through the dynamic world of artists and creators who are redefining the soundscape. Discover the unique fusion of East and West, tradition and innovation with a spotlight the diverse talents associated with 88Rising. From groundbreaking collaborations to the evolution of musical genres, this section celebrates the cultural fusion that shapes the distinctive and progressive voices within Asian American sound.

References

  1. OiYan Poon et al., “A Critical Review of the Model Minority Myth in Selected Literature on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Higher Education,” Review of Educational Research 86, no. 2 (June 2016): 469–502, https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654315612205.

  2. TeletonUSA, “What Is Media Representation?,” Children’s Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), March 9, 2023, https://critusa.org/what-is-media-representation/#:~:text=Media%20representation%20refers%20to%20how,race%2C%20are%20presented%20to%20society.

  3. Fatih Fuat Tuncer, “Discussing Globalization and Cultural Hybridization,” Universal Journal of History and Culture 5, no. 2 (October 4, 2023): 85–103, https://doi.org/10.52613/ujhc.1279438.

Photo References

  1. Collage of Asian American artists by AAMV Fest, via https://asamnews.com/2021/02/09/aamv-fest-spotlights-up-and-coming-asian-american-music-artists/

  2. Album art of skeletons, via https://genius.com/albums/Keshi/Skeletons

  3. Album art of SAWAYAMA, via https://music.apple.com/us/album/sawayama/1493469433

  4. Album art of Head in the Clouds, via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_in_the_Clouds_%28album%29

  5. Cover for an episode of The AM Podcast, via https://open.spotify.com/episode/04I4BQDrYAtJgPPLKiYOfH?si=1451c09f8298466d&nd=1&dlsi=a0fd01f654694a0d

  6. Photograph by Hendrik Schneider, via https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/48909/1/six-things-that-inspired-rina-sawayama-debut-album