11th International Conference of Asian Scholars (ICAS 11) July 14–19, 2019, Leiden

Successful Outcome
TPF-organized textile panels were held on July 18 in the beautiful pavilion of the Volkenkunde Museum. Eleven distinguished scholars presented works on different issues related to the theme, "Fibres, Loom, and Technique." Both speakers and attendants came from local areas as well as abroad, from as far as the Philippines and Indonesia. According to Philippe Peycam, Director of International Institute of Asian Studies (the organizing body of ICAS), one of the biggest contingents of ICAS attendees was the textile crowd. This tells us that we are doing something right!

Full program

Malika Kraamer, Christine Giuntini, Analyn Salvador-Amores, and Linda S. McIntosh

 
Perfect Partnership
TPF also collaborated with the Textile Research Centre Leiden (TRC). The Centre organized and served as the local host for many textile lectures/ workshops that run alongside ICAS. All classes, including two TPF-sponsored workshops, were over-subscribed. In addition to contributing to the academic content for the ICAS and TRC programs, TPF also co-sponsored a public reception at the TRC and hosted a close gathering for the invited textile scholars.

Textile Analysis Workshop at the Textile Research Centre, taught by Sandra Sardjono

 
Next Steps
ICAS provides a perfect international platform for textile study. This biannual conference takes place in different countries, thus opening up an opportunity to engage scholars and audience worldwide. Our next steps are: first, we want to share the outcome of this meeting in Leiden by publishing a book with the same theme as that of the textile panels. What book format and which publisher are still under discussion. Second, we aim to repeat this year's success in the next ICAS, which will take place in Kyoto. Thus, our task this coming year is to find a local institution in Kyoto with whom we can partner and plan another stimulating week of textile studies for ICAS 12 in 2021.