From the time of Charles Freer in the late-19th century to most of the 20th century, “Asian art” was synonymous with pre-modern or traditional arts of Asia. With the arrival of contemporary arts on the scene in the last two decades, accompanied by rapid economic growth of Asian countries, especially China and India, traditional arts are now at risk of being overshadowed by the contemporary art obsessions in popular culture as well as in scholarly communities.

In this illustrated lecture, Dr. Desai, widely recognized as a leader in introducing contemporary Asian arts to American audiences, will focus on the current state of the study of pre-modern arts in China and India, their relevance for contemporary realities, and their future in the rapidly changing societies of Asia.

Dr. Desai is the sixth President and CEO of the Asia Society, a leading global organization committed to strengthening partnerships among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States.

About the series: The Charles Lang Freer Lecture aims to encourage a broad-spectrum dialogue on the arts of Asia in keeping with the larger mandate of the Freer bequest. Through engagement with outstanding speakers from all corners of the art world, the series fosters fresh perspectives on the arts and Asia in the twenty-first century.