Docomomo Macau, in collaboration with Fundação Rui Cunha, proudly announces the next lecture in its series “Revisiting Modernism and its Impact on Asia.” Architect and researcher Professor Johannes Widodo will present “Reframing Modernism: Grounded Modernities in the Mediterranean of Asia” on Friday, November 7th, 2025, at 6:45 PM, at Fundação Rui Cunha, Av. da Praia Grande, 749, GF, Macau.
This lecture reconsiders the idea of modernism through an Asian perspective, questioning Eurocentric narratives and proposing a reframing that is rooted in local cultural, environmental, and historical contexts. Building on the mAAN Macau Declaration of 2001, which identified Asia as a dynamic source of identity shaped by industrialization, colonization, and exchanges with the West, Professor Widodo suggests a redefinition of Asian modernism and modernity through a subtle linguistic shift — a small “a” for architecture, a small “m” for modernism, and an “s” for plural modernisms. This formulation highlights the multiplicity and grounded character of modern experiences across the continent.
Focusing particularly on Southeast Asia and the surrounding region often described as the “Mediterranean of Asia,” where Macao itself is located, the lecture explores architectural expressions that reveal local interpretations of global influences. These examples show how modern architecture in Asia is not simply a matter of adaptation or imitation but rather a creative synthesis that reflects indigenous values, climatic conditions, and complex socio-political histories.
Through selected case studies, Professor Widodo will illustrate how these grounded modernities exemplify the ingenuity of past generations while offering inspiration for future cultural resilience. Revisiting the principles of the mAAN Declaration, the lecture calls for renewed attention to documenting, conserving, and critically engaging with Asia’s modern architectural heritage, advocating for a pluralistic and inclusive understanding of modernism that recognizes Asia’s diverse and interconnected paths 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.
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