A Passion for Asia

Book excerpt: In 1955, John D. Rockefeller III convened a committee to respond to post-World War II interest in developing improved understanding of, and relations with, countries in Asia. His family's longstanding interest in Asia had led him to travel in China and Japan after he graduated from university in 1929. The Rockefellers' deeply felt "passion for Asia" led to the founding of the Asia Society in 1956. Today, the need for better understanding of Asian cultures--political, economic, and artistic--is more urgent than ever. This beautifully produced volume reflects in photographs and words the many-sided mission of the Asia Society. Fascinating archival photographs bring the Rockefeller family's travels, philanthropic activities, social occasions, and wonderful domestic interiors to life. Important objects--sculptures, paintings, prints, screens, ceramics--all collected by members of the family, many from the Society's collection and others from museums around the country, are reproduced in full color. The text includes essays by Rockefeller family members; former Asia Society presidents; Peter Johnson, the family historian; Cynthia Altman, curator of Kykuit, the Rockefeller family estate; and Vishakha Desai, president of the Asia Society. SELLING POINTS: Documents the history and beginnings of this leading global organization whose mission of promoting the exchanges of ideas, education, and arts still holds true today Features period photographs of the Rockefeller family on their many travels to Asia and provides insight into how their collection developed 100 colour & 75 b/w illustrations