Art and Diplomacy Powerpoint: Alyssa Abraham

1. Art and Diplomacy • Alyssa Abraham

2. The Power of Art: • Azar Nafisi: “Genuine democracy cannot exist without the freedom to imagine and the right to use imaginative works without any restrictions.” • Joseph Stalin: “If we could control the medium of American motion picture, I would need nothing else to convert the entire world to Communism.”

3. Art is Communication • What is communication? • How do the arts communicate? • Is art a universal language? (Dewey criticism) • If art involves personal interpretation, how can it communicate an intended message? • Is it a problem if there are different messages received?

4. Cultural Diplomacy vs. Art Diplomacy • Definition: cultural diplomacy utilizes exchanges of art, humanities, education, personal engagement, etc. to create friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations among the U.S. and other states (adapted from Fulbright-Hayes) • Diplomacy only executed by diplomats? Or all citizens?

5. Government’s Role? • Art as propaganda or a useful tool? Should art be “used”? • Civilizing mission? Or shared learning? • What level of skill is involved? Should only more experienced artists be sent abroad as U.S. representatives or young artists? • Govt. assumes risk of possible “bad” exchanges that could result from any cultural exchange: —Is spending money on arts worth the risk? —How do you measure the success?

6. Ex. Artistic Censorship and Propaganda: • On Aug. 20th, 2013, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un allegedly executed 12 well-known singers and musicians by firing squad, including his ex-lover. • Arirang Festival: held annually; students taken out of school to train for months to perform dances that highlight regime propaganda • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67T9-43hb5I

7. Even in closed off-North Korea-cultural diplomacy still is occurring: • Annual Spring Arts Friendship Festival hosted American artists, such as Annie Moses Band and Casting Crowns • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERT6Cm7fu-A

8. Who is in control? Who represents US? • Ex: recent anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims • Media first blamed video for attacks on U.S. embassies in 2012: “Islamic world revolts against United States over anti-Islam film.” • President Obama: “I have made it clear that the U.S. government had nothing to do with this video…I know there are some who ask why we don’t just ban such a video. The answer is enshrined in our laws: our Constitution protects the right to practice free speech” (9/25/12).

9. How do you measure success? • David Hasslehoff playing on Berlin Wall: • claims he contributed to bringing down the Berlin Wall and the spread of democracy in 1989 Is this valid? It is hard to measure a feeling, emotion, or change of consciousness • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNpCn0nAlR0

10. Breaking Down Barriers • Need for “reverse flow” • more than a one way exchange of information

11. Ex: Porgy and Bess • American opera,1935 • Began touring with the U.S. State Department from 1952-1956

12. David Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong • Gillespie—led first cultural ambassador tour in 1956 • Brubeck—led first group to play in East Germany under USSR • 1961-1962 musical, The Real Ambassadors, with Louis Armstrong • http://youtu.be/yUgohNKyxak

13. Duke Ellington

14. Martha Graham: cultural ambassador to Asia

15. Toni Blackman • First hip hop ambassador • Speaks out against violence against women • Invisible Women: http://youtu.be/coIkYlzQlNY

16. Not Just the USA using Cultural Diplomacy: • Another example: KPOP or Korean POP WAVE

17. Debbie Allen’s Oman… O Man!

18. Difference in Art Processes Across Cultures: • Ex: Music Lesson: film about students discovering new music techniques through cultural exploration

19. Art and the mediation process: Can the arts solve or prevent conflicts?

20. Check out these exchange programs: Arts Envoy American Music Abroad …And Many More Other Govt. and Non-Govt. Sponsored Orgs!