CFP: MLA 2007--Japanese kawai culture 1995-now

Modern Language Association (MLA) 2007 Chicago -- December 27-30
Children's Literature Division

Japanese Kawaii/Cute Children's Culture 1995-Now


Cute, as we now commonly conceive of it, originated
in the U.S. in the late 19th century. Japanese kawaii is a quite
recent import altering and adding to cute in a variety of ways.

Contemporary Japanese artists creating animated feature length films,
children's picture books, video games, characters, and fine art
gallery and museum installations, are both borrowing from and also
changing children's literature and culture. This panel seeks to
explore the uniquely Japanese form of cute, known as kawaii.

In the United States, Asian-American subculture is increasingly
identifying with kawaii, as is the larger American culture (e.g.
Target and other retail stores consistently sell Hello Kitty books
and merchandise, Katamari video games, and Spirited Away DVDs.) This
session invites papers that approach this topic from any angle, but
particularly welcome are scholars taking an Asian-American, post-
colonial or international perspective. Papers might address why
Japanese artists whose kawaii art depicts children or children's
literature references are receiving international recognition and top
auction prices when all other Japanese artists are virtually ignored.

How does this change North American conceptions of multiculturalism?
How and why are countries including Korea, China, France, and the
United States consuming kawaii Japanese artists/products so happily
and then changing these artists/products? How is this proliferation
changing children culture production and conceptions of the child internationally?



Possible artists include Hayao Miyazaki, Takashi Murakami, Yoshitomo
Nara, Chiho Aoshima, Chinatsu Ban, and Aya Takano. Possible
characters include TarePanda, Hello Kitty, Pucca & Garu, MashiMaro,
Cinnamoroll, Burnt Toast, Chibamaru, and Mr. DOB.


Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2007

Please submit abstracts for a 15-20 minute presentation or 8-10 page
papers along with a short bio and contact information to:

jmmann@english.ufl.edu

**************

Jaimy M. Mann
Department of English
University of Florida
P.O. Box 117310
Gainesville FL 32611-7310
www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jmmann