Objects of Obsession: Toys and Cuteness as Cultural Phenomenon

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Asia Society Hong Kong Center is excited to launch Objects of Obsession, a new program that features conversations which examine the deeper social, psychological, and cultural meanings embedded in mass media, the creative industries, and pop culture merchandising. In an era where the boundaries between the printed page, digital screen, merchandise shelf, and gallery wall have dissolved, seemingly playful images and objects have emerged as some of the most powerful carriers of emotion and ideology in contemporary life. Far from trivial entertainment, these multimedia forms actively shape collective identity, memory, and belonging across societies.

Each program gathers the voices of local and international scholars, academics, and critics for lively yet rigorous discussions that reveal why the characters we cherish, the toys we queue up for, and the images we share matter deeply – and why engaging them critically is essential to understanding the hidden currents of our time. Join us for the first event in our ongoing series exploring how popular visual culture quietly reshapes the way we imagine and inhabit the world.

Objects of Obsession launches in December with its inaugural panel, Toys and Cuteness as Cultural Phenomenon, timed to coincide with Kasing Lung’s Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then 10th anniversary exhibition on view at Asia Society Hong Kong Center from December 15. 2025 to January 4, 2026. This opening event offers a rare opportunity to examine the global Labubu phenomenon through a critical lens while the works themselves are on display just steps away in our galleries. Scholars Dr. Bin Chen, Dr. Natalie Ngai, and Dr. Tai-lok Lui will first provide short presentations drawn from their research, exploring the sociological implications in mass media, cultural politics, and other creative industries. Afterwards, Hong Kong curator and writer Ingrid Pui Yee Chu will moderate a conversation among the panelists before opening the floor to audience questions.

Event Details
IN-PERSON
Sun 21 Dec 2025
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Miller Theater, Asia Society Hong Kong Center

Rundown
1:45pm Registration
2:00pm Welcome & Introduction
2:10pm Individual Presentations
2:45pm Panel Discussion
3:15pm Q&A Session
3:30pm Event Ends