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Art in Embassy Reception

Remarks by Ambassador Klosson
Embassy Residence
April 15, 2004

Good evening, my wife Boni and I would like to welcome you to our home, the Residence of the United States Ambassador to Cyprus. Tonight we are celebrating art and expression, and I am very glad that you could join us in this celebration.

One of the privileges of being an ambassador is the opportunity to participate in the Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program. Boni and I were, of course, familiar with the program, and we jumped at the chance to take part in it, since we knew it would give us an opportunity to live with and showcase some extraordinary works of contemporary American art.

Established by the U. S. Department of State in 1964, the ART In Embassies Program is conceptually a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in the public rooms of approximately 180 American diplomatic residences worldwide. These exhibitions, with art loaned from galleries, museums, individual artists, and corporate and private collections, play an important role in American public diplomacy. They provide international audiences like you with a sense of the quality, scope, and diversity of American art and culture through the accomplishments of some of America’s most important citizens, our artists.

Part of the fun in participating in the Art in Embassies experience came from the fact that Boni and I were able to choose the artwork that you see in the house tonight. We wanted our pieces to reflect the depth, dynamics and vitality of the American contemporary art scene today, so we looked at pieces by artists from cities around the United States and by those who are working in a variety of media. Walking around the house tonight you will see pieces done in oil, encaustic wax, polyurethane and painted galvanized steel. You’ll find that we’ve put together a meeting of the traditional with newer, more nontraditional approaches to medium, concept and texture. One of our other criteria in selecting artwork was that we wanted pieces that would complement the rich artistic traditions of Cyprus.

As an art lover, I couldn’t ask for a better posting than Cyprus. Many of you are aware of the U.S. Embassy’s Brushstrokes Across Cultures series, which unites the best Cypriot artists from both sides of the island.  We were very pleased to host Brushworks V last year and to enjoy these fine works in our home for several months until the art we are now displaying was installed.

Whenever we can, Boni and I take advantage of the exciting artistic scene here. From classical music concerts by the Pharos Trust foundation in the south to folk music concerts at Bellapais Abbey in the north; from February’s first ever bi-communal ceramics exhibition at Ledra Palace to March’s series of modern dance performances in the old city that featured Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot dancers collaborating for the first time, there are strong creative forces at work in Cyprus, and you are to be commended for working so hard to support the arts and to bring them to Cypriot audiences.

Similarly, the U.S. Embassy tries to give back, too. We were very lucky several weeks ago to host American mezzo soprano and Metropolitan opera star Denyce Graves as part of the State Department’s Cultureconnect Program. And back in February we hosted the Apple Hill Chamber Players from the American state of New Hampshire. Whatever artists the U.S. Embassy brings to Cyprus, we always make sure that there is a bi-communal aspect to their programming here. For as I said at the beginning of my remarks, we’re here to celebrate art and expression. And it’s clear to me that in Cyprus, as in other places around the globe, art has been able to achieve things that politicians cannot always deliver. You see it time and again on the island, art bridges cultural differences-- dance, painting, music, theatre-- they speak to us in ways that transcend language, religion, history and conflict.  Art unites people, creates new friendships and heals divisions. Not long ago, I was at a concert for Cyprus’s bi-communal youth ensemble. And it was a moving night for me-- the music those youngsters played was beautiful, and it was even more beautiful when I stopped and thought about the friendships that had been formed as those clarinetists, flutists and violinists sat down together night after night to practice, to work and play as one, to trust each other on stage.

In this time of great hope for Cyprus, I want us to let art stretch our imaginations.  These artists speak to us through their work.  Whether it’s the Cypriot artists of Brushstrokes, the other dynamic activities I mentioned earlier or the American artists represented tonight, let us dare to dream with these artists that the human soul is capable of great and courageous thoughts and acts.  Let us allow these artists to inspire us, to inspire Cypriots, to inspire our leaders so that the right course for Cyprus will be found.

I hope you enjoy what you see tonight. I hope it provokes discussions and causes you to view the world a little differently-- if only briefly. Thank you for coming tonight to share the Art in Embassies experience with us.