Summary

Asialink Arts Forum 2001:

Special Projects

Summary

Key Issues and Strategies:

1. Person to person rather than culture to culture

Innovative arts projects begin with talented individuals making contact and thrive with plenty of communication and interaction. Thinking in terms of cultures and nations can obscure the more fundamental operating basis for all art people. It is important to:

Make the right guanxi (connections)
Work with talented people who understand your aims and want to work with you
Maintain ongoing relationships with people and organisations in China
Make the most of the Chinese diaspora in Australia

2. Shared stories and diverse methods of story telling

The kinds of narratives being shared need to accessible to both sides if the art form is going succeed in touching people's hearts and minds.

Find shared stories or themes both sides can relate to
Consider diverse methods and forms of story telling from traditional to experimental

3. Cultural understanding rather than cultural exchange

While presenting arts and culture between nations is beneficial, it is preferable to aim for greater understanding of the history, motifs, languages and narratives behind different arts practices. It is therefore important to know and understand:

The audience, the artworks and artists for any project or idea
Different artistic traditions and complex techniques
How to access networks and contacts and the issues involved with sharing them
Constraints and possibilities in each country and for both sides to experience these
Different financial systems and expectations

4. ‘Very big, China’

The sheer size of China and the diversity of cultures it contains, as well as its resulting political might should never be underestimated. It is important to remember that:

"China" includes areas such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Maccau
Regional cities and provinces may be far more welcoming and rewarding - don't focus only on Beijing and Shanghai.
Diverse cultural practices and ethnic groups exist across China
Work with government institutions and organisations and others outside the system.

5. The Long March - ie Rome wasn't built in a day

Make sure there is time to meet, learn, improvise, develop and document your contacts, projects and outcomes.

For further information, please contact:

Alison Carroll
Manager, Arts Program
Email: a.carroll@asialink.unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 61-3-9349 1899
Fax: 61-3- 9347 1768