COLLECTION AND CONNECTION: The Giant Panda and The Power of Cute

Pandas are so adorable that it is difficult not to fall in love with them. Undeniably one of the most successful ambassadors that express China’s soft power, their cuteness has an immense hold on us. Beyond that, presenting pandas as gifts conveys notions of guanxi 关系 (connections) and mingming 命名 (naming). Join Dr Cheng Wen-Haur from Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Dr Graeme Smith from Australian National University and Dr Lim Chye Hong from Singapore Art Museum as they shine a spotlight on panda mania, cross-cultural exchanges, and the protection of wildlife.

ABOUT COLLECTION AND CONNECTION

This talk explores the role of gifts in global diplomacy across cultural boundaries. These gifts, exchanged within the context of institutions that acquire, conserve and exhibit the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity, have fascinating stories to tell.