Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art at Shangri La
Honolulu, HI
Deadline: 7 June 2010

CURATOR OF ISLAMIC ARTS
DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION FOR ISLAMIC ART at SHANGRI LA
The mission of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art is to promote the study and understanding of Islamic arts and cultures. Shangri La is the Foundation’s center for Islamic arts and cultures, which is housed in the former Honolulu residence of philanthropist and collector Doris Duke (1912 – 1993).

The Collection
Shangri La was built between 1936 – 1938 as Doris Duke’s private estate and to house her growing collection of Islamic art. The collection is comprised of approximately 3,500 objects ranging from pre-Islamic material to early 20th century commissions, in a wide variety of media. The collection is particularly strong in material from the 17th through 20th centuries, and in ceramic tiles and vessels. It additionally includes household furnishings, clothing, archives, and a small working library. A significant portion of the collection is integrated into the historic architecture.

The Position
The Curator of Islamic Arts has primary responsibility for the research and interpretation of the collection, and will provide the vision for and manage collections-based activities that support the organization’s mission, including:
On-site, travelling and Web-based exhibitions
Print and Web-based publications
Collections-based public programs and symposia
Visiting scholar and artist programs
Conservation of Shangri La’s art and architecture

The Curator will work closely with the Programs Manager and Collections Manager, conservators and a variety of consultants; participate in meetings of the DDFIA Board and Advisory Council; and develop strong relationships with other museums and academic institutions. S/he will be active in the field of Islamic arts and culture, represent the Foundation at conferences and symposia, and stay abreast of and contribute to current research and developments in the field.

Qualifications
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Islamic Art, or have equivalent work experience. S/he will exhibit the capacity to employ an interdisciplinary approach to his/her work and to develop innovative programs that reflect current research and engage diverse audiences. Proven success at providing leadership, building supportive relationships and working as a team player is essential. S/he must demonstrate curatorial and conservation knowledge as well as advanced research and computer skills; familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) is desired. A working knowledge of Arabic and/or Persian is also desired.

Candidates at various levels of experience and expertise will be considered; compensation will be commensurate with experience.

While the position is envisioned as full-time, more flexible part-time or seasonal schedules may be feasible.

The Curator will report to the Executive Director of Shangri La and be a member of the leadership team charged with implementing the strategic plan to strengthen Shangri La as a center for Islamic arts and cultures.

For further information on Shangri La and its Collections, visit: www.shangrilahawaii.org.

How to Apply
To be considered for this position, forward your resume and cover letter via e-mail to SLCurator.hr@ddcf.org. Indicate your interest in this position, your salary requirements, and whether or not you are currently eligible to work in the United States.

Applications will be accepted beginning May 1, 2010, and ending June 7, 2010.
All candidates will receive a response.

No Phone Calls Please
Do Not Apply in Person

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Research Program Seminar on Politics
Tuesday, 4 May at 12:00 pm in John A. Burns Hall, Room 3012 (3rd floor)
Presented by Baladas Ghoshal, Visiting Fellow in East-West Center

For centuries Islam in Southeast Asia was renowned for its adaptability to local practices and tolerance of other religions. Over the past three decades, however, fundamentalists have tried to homogenize Islam, introducing new tensions. More than any other factor, what has fueled conflicts and divided Muslims and others in otherwise tolerant and harmonious plural societies like Malaysia, Indonesia and some other countries of Southeast Asia, is the slow but steady process of the transformation of Islam in the region, from a syncretic and inclusive Islam to a puritanical and exclusivist one under the influence of ideas, norms, practices, and finances flowing from the Arab world. The “Islam of the desert” has made inroads across the Indian Ocean. This process of homogenization and regimentation – a process I would like to call the “Arabization” of Islam – puts greater emphasis on rituals and codes of conduct than on substance, through the Wahhabi and Salafi creeds, a rigidly puritanical branch of Islam exported from, and subsidized by, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The internationalization of Islam drew Southeast Asian Muslims to the desert and brought the desert to them. Such “globalization of political Islam” could threaten stability throughout Southeast Asia and the world. Unfortunately, too many proponents of any form of fundamentalism rely on it as a tool, not for inspiring spirituality, but for acquiring economic or political power.

BALADAS GHOSHAL is currently a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi and an honorary Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. He is a former Professor of Southeast Asia and South-West Pacific Studies and Chairman of the Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. A leading expert on Indonesian politics and society, Professor Ghoshal has published extensively on Indonesian politics, ASEAN and regional security issues, South Asian regional security and political developments. He received his Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

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Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific Program (MSAP)
Two (2) Graduate Assistant Positions (Ref#85073; Ref#000GA09)

Pending position clearance and availability of funds
Starting August 16, 2010 to May 13, 2011 for academic year 2010-2011
Salary Information: Half-time, $1,198.50 per month plus tuition waiver and medical benefits
Contact: Paul Rausch, Associate Director
Closing Date: May 17, 2010
apply now

Duties and Responsibilities:
* Initiate, develop, and coordinate overall activities for the Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific Program (MSAP) across departments on campus.

* Plan and organize public lectures, distinguished speaker events, film screenings and co-sponsorship of events with themes related to Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific. This includes serving as program liaison for visitors to UH.

* Assist in the development of affiliations with other educational, professional, and community organizations with a shared interest in Muslim Asia and the Pacific.

* Create, edit, and distribute the program’s weekly email newsletter (primary tool of awareness-building). Manage content and updates for the program website. Add content and archive materials on the program Facebook page. Photograph and record talks and lectures and produce podcasts for inclusion on the MSIAP web site. Many aspects of the job involve a constant monitoring and archiving of potential resources and producing well-written news and curriculum items.

* Handle day-to-day management of program activities and information including scheduling and attending meetings, and archiving resources. Assist with report writing, grant writing, and program’s fiscal documents.

* Work closely with the staff/coordinators of the Center for East Asian Studies, the Center for Pacific Islands Studies, Center for Philippine Studies, Center for South Asian Studies, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies to create course materials/programs on Islam in Asia/Pacific.

Minimum Qualifications:
* Full-time, classified graduate student in good standing; familiar with the Muslim world and sensitive to Muslim cultural concerns.
* Background in Asian/Pacific studies or a humanities/language related discipline with a primary focus on an Asia/Pacific region including, but not limited to religion/anthropology/sociology/social work/political science/theater/music.
* Experience with word processing, database development, spreadsheets, and Powerpoint/Keynote.
* Accomplished Mac user for a Mac equipped office. Possess a keen sense of and passion for good design; able to use camera and recording equipment.
* Good English writing skills, ability to organize, attention to detail, and ability to work in a team, but with minimum supervision.

Desirable Qualifications:
* Knowledge of an Asian language used in Muslim Asia/Pacific and/or Arabic.
* Website development skills using Expression Engine, experienced in the use of Apple publication software Pages, skilled in the use of Constant Contact email marketing and survey tool.
* Skilled in recording and editing sound files for podcasting, skilled in shooting and editing film for web streaming, knowledgeable in the use of social networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
* Possess good public speaking skills.

To Apply:
Submit cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications, your resume and names and contact information (including email and addresses) of 3 professional references to rausch @hawaii.edu via email attachment. Electronic submissions are preferred. If available, include a sample of your web design work (a URL is sufficient) with your application.

Address:
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Center for Southeast Asian Studies
1890 East West Road, Moore 405
Honolulu, HI 96822
Inquiries:
Paul Rausch; 808-956-2688; rausch@hawaii.edu

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Saturday, 8 May from 5:00-7:30pm at Shangri La, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Honolulu, HI
Co-Sponsored by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, PERMIAS, the University of Hawai’i Department of Dance and Drama, and the University of Hawai’i Music Department

5:00-5:30pm Open House
5:30-6:30pm Performance
6:30-7:30pm Dinner

Ticket price: $50/person – VISA, MC, and check are accepted. Reservations required. Seating is limited.

Celebrate the dance and musical traditions of Islamic Southeast Asia as performed by students and scholars from the University of Hawai’i and members of Hawaii’s Southeast Asian community in a special evening at Shangri La.

Van service to Shangri La will begin at 4:45pm from the Kapiolani Community College, Parking Lot B, 4303 Diamond Head Rd.
Please note there is no parking at Shangri La or in the surrounding neighborhood.

RSVP by Friday, 30 April 2010 via shangrilaevents@ddcf.org or +1 808 792 5503

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Student Assistants
Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific Program

Minimum Hours Per Week – 15 / Maximum Hours Per Week – 20
Student may be able to work up to 40 hours per week pending available funds. Positions to begin on or around April 12 and end on July 30.
Salary: $17.20/hr.
Contact: Paul Rausch, Associate Director
Note: Log-in to SECE website and check job# 96106-A6 then follow the application instructions; PLEASE NOTE SHORT DEADLINE IN JOB POSTING

Duties and Responsibilities:
* Initiate, develop, and coordinate overall activities for the Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific Program (MSIAP) across departments on campus.
* Plan and organize public lectures, distinguished speaker events, film screenings and co-sponsorship of events with themes.
* Initiate, develop, and coordinate overall activities for the Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific Program (MSIAP) across departments on campus.
* Plan and organize public lectures, distinguished speaker events, film screenings and co-sponsorship of events with themes related to Muslim Societies in Asia and the Pacific. This includes serving as program liaison for visitors to UH.
* Assist in the development of affiliations with other educational, professional, and community organizations with a shared interest in Muslim Asia and the Pacific.
* Create, edit, and distribute the program’s weekly email newsletter (primary tool of awareness-building). Manage content and updates for the program website. Add content and archive materials on the program Facebook page. Photograph and record talks and lectures and produce podcasts for inclusion on the MSIAP web site. Many aspects of the job involve a constant monitoring and archiving of potential resources and producing well-written news and curriculum items.
* Handle day-to-day management of program activities and information including scheduling and attending meetings, and archiving resources. Assist with report writing, grant writing, and program’s fiscal documents.
* Work closely with the staff/coordinators of the Center for East Asian Studies, the Center for Pacific Islands Studies, Center for Philippine Studies, Center for South Asian Studies, and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies to create course materials/programs on Islam in Asia/Pacific.

Minimum Qualifications:
* Full-time, classified graduate student in good standing; familiar with the Muslim world and sensitive to Muslim cultural concerns.
* Background in Asian/Pacific studies or a humanities/language related discipline with a primary focus on an Asia/Pacific region including, but not limited to religion/anthropology/sociology/social work/political science/theater/music.
* Experience with word processing, database development, spreadsheets, and Powerpoint/Keynote.
* Accomplished Mac user for a Mac equipped office. Possess a keen sense of and passion for good design; able to use camera and recording equipment.
* Good English writing skills, ability to organize, attention to detail, and ability to work in a team, but with minimum supervision.

Desirable Qualifications:
* Knowledge of an Asian language used in Muslim Asia/Pacific and/or Arabic.
* Website development skills using Expression Engine, experienced in the use of Apple publication software Pages, skilled in the use of Constant Contact email marketing and survey tool.
* Skilled in recording and editing sound files for podcasting, skilled in shooting and editing film for web streaming, knowledgeable in the use of social networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
* Possess good public speaking skills.

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The Institute for Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) offers special publication packages for only USD$50 on topics like Ageing, Environment and Gender. For more information or to place your order, please fax to 65 67756259 or pubsunit@iseas.edu.sg. Each book in these themed publication packages ranges from $30 to $40 individually so this special offer provides an excellent bargain on key titles in Southeast Asian scholarship today.

Ageing includes:
- Older Persons in Southeast Asia: An Emerging Asset
- Ageing and Long-term Care: National and Policies in the Asia-Pacific
- Ageing in Southeast and East Asia: Family, Social Protection and Policy Challenges

Environment includes:
- Working with Nature Against Poverty
- Governance, Politics and the Environment: A Singapore Study
- Managing Natural Wealth: Environment and Development in Malaysia
- Clean, Green and Blue: Singapore’s Journey Towards Environmental and Water Sustainability

Gender includes:
- Gender Trends in Southeast Asia: Women Now, Women in the Future
- Muslim/Non-Muslim Marriage: Political and Cultural Contestations in Southeast Asia
- Gender and Natural Resource Management: Livelihoods, Mobility and Interventions

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The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is proud to announce Saiful Umam as the winner of the 2010 SEA Graduate Paper Prize, awarded to the best Southeast Asian-related graduate paper presented at the 21st Annual SPAS Graduate Conference.  A Ph.D candidate in History, Saiful was recognized this afternoon for his presentation on “Localizing Islamic Orthodoxy in Northern Coastal Java in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries: The Case of Muhammad Salih Darat.”  Arguing that “localization” of Islam could also be a means of encouraging orthodoxy, his paper explored the way in which a noted Muslim scholar presented his teachings in pegon (Javanese using Arabic script) in order to make the basic tenets of the faith more comprehensible to ordinary people. Regarding Saiful as an exciting and innovative new scholar, CSEAS wishes him the best in his endeavors and looks forward to his future work in the field of Southeast Asian Studies.

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Most people know Yasmin Ahmad as a critically acclaimed filmmaker – but what about Yasmin Ahmad the poet? Keeping with this week’s Valentine theme, CSEAS presents Ahmad’s poem, When you planted a kiss in the valley of my shoulder, from the late artist’s blog.

When you planted a kiss in the valley of my shoulder,
my lips were parted, but I was not speaking;
my eyes were closed, but I was never more awake;
I stopped breathing, but I was never more alive.

Today,
somewhere along the face of the earth,
rocks are descending and ships are dying.
Hungry fires roar through the gaping mouths
of concrete dragons.
The plains are grazed by poisoned cattle
and the sky is black and choking with greed.

But tonight,
in a sleepy flat in Klang Valley,
for one brief moment,
every clock and every watch in every room
stopped moving.
I smelled distant jasmine and tuberoses.
My tongue was laced with the aftertaste
of honey and almonds
and long lost hopes.
And in that brief, translucent moment,
the dead and wrinkled skin of my past
fell in a heap at my feet.

For once,
the arrows of time missed me,
the breath of angels embraced me,
when you kissed me
in the valley of my shoulder.

more poems | Yasmin the Storyteller (2004 – 2008) | Yasmin the Filmmaker (2008 – 2009) | Book – Yasmin Ahmad’s Films (Matahari 2009)

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Presented by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, UHM and the East-West Center (EWC) Arts Program
Curated by Mohamed Effendy bin Abdul Hamid, Emiko Stock, and Michael Schuster
20 January – 28 March 2010, East-West Center Gallery, Honolulu, HI

This exhibition illustrates visual aspects of Cham culture and how the Cham have preserved their identity through ritual and religious practices, art and architecture, writing and language, and everyday life experiences. Join us this week for the following free events at the EWC Gallery:

1:00-4:30 p.m., Friday, 22 January 2010
Cham Symposium: Cham culture and history will be discussed by six Southeast Asian scholars from Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Hawai’i

2:00-3:30 p.m., Sunday, 24 January 2010
Opening Festivities including reception and walk-throughs by the curators

12:00-1:00 p.m., Monday, 25 January 2010
Visual presentation by visiting curator Emiko Stock, Cambodia, ”Visualizing Cham Diversity in Cambodia”

2:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, 7 February 2010
Visual presentation by UHM Assistant Professor of Art Dr. Paul Lavy, “An Introduction to Ancient Cham Sculpture and Architecture”

more info | calendar of events | view photos from event – NEW

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Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Korean Studies Auditorium 7:00 PM

Following the runaway success of the Islamic themed film Ayat Ayat Cinta (screened at our Fall 2008 series) comes Perempuan Berkalung Sorban, based on the novel by Abidah el Khalieqy (2001).

The film stars the popular Revalina S. Temat, who plays Anissa, the daughter of the leader of a conservative Islamic boarding school (pesantren) in East Java.

Struggling to balance the spiritual self with the opportunities available to women in the contemporary world, Annisa rebels against the teachings she receives at the school and questions a life that seems to treat women unfairly.

The music soundtrack is graced by the voice of Malaysian diva Siti Nurhaliza.

IMDB Website | Movie Review Square | Download Poster

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