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| The US cultural delegates, including Eric Fischl (L 1), Charles "Lil Buck" Riley (L 5) and Damian Woetzel (L 6) and , attends a press conference for the opening of the U.S.-China Forum on the Arts and Culture, kicking off on November 17, 2011. [China.org.cn] |
China: Arriving in Beijing to represent the best of America's values, writer Mark Danner expected the cultural exchange more meaningful than the usual songs and stories, but a stage for the two people to "express their souls." Danner was one of 16 U.S. cultural delegates that included other A-listers like Hollywood star Meryl Streep, sinologist Jonathan Spence and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The group attended events in Beijing on Nov. 16-19 to promote cultural understanding between China and the U.S. A writer and journalist known for his investigative reports, Danner said he hardly believed cultural exchange was merely a decoration in bilateral relations. On the contrary, he said it played a significant role in encouraging people to display their individuality."Cultural traditions play a role not only in arts and music, in pop and fashion, it plays a role in how a country acts on the world stage," he said. Speaking before a flock of reporters in the National Grand Theater on Nov. 17, Danner relayed an anecdote about recognizing artwork at a distance. He said even before people can get close enough to have a clear view of a painting in a museum or gallery, they can sometimes immediately identify its artist. "That is because you are in a sense seeing the artist's soul," Danner said. "And the tour (of the American delegation) left an opportunity (for more people) to do so." Read Full: US-China exchange sets high goals - China.org.cn
