In her insightful essay, while a student at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Svetlana Bagaudinova looked into the intriguing interdependency between artistic expression and the diplomatic process. During medieval times, royalty used to dispatch painters/ambassadors to make portraits of suitable brides. Thus, the bridal portrait was an essential attribute for royal matchmaking. Ambassadorial gifts (in the form of armory and other precious items) were not only part of diplomatic protocol and etiquette, but also served as an instrument of persuasion and even seduction.

Artistic creation was employed to record diplomatic history. Pictures featured historic events from an international relations angle, with scenes of victorious battles or unshakable military spirit.

During the Cold War, the exchange of artists, musicians and famous ballet dancers created indispensable bridges of understanding and promoted mutual dialogue between the Russian and American people.

Author: Svetlana Bagaudinova 

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The site examines the impact of globalisation and modernisation upon culture. It also looks at how foreign policies can encourage understanding, and tracks the development of cultural diplomacy, trade agreements and other policies that have an impact on globalisation. It further offers extensive information on forthcoming conferences, NGO’s and so on.  In short, a range of useful links can be found.

Source: The Center for Art and Culture

Despite the harsh living conditions, art has been thriving. The sanctions on Iraq have hit hard since 1990. Before the embargo, artists painted for the sake of art (3 to 4 painting per year) and often chose not to sell them. Today’s artist can produce up to 20 paintings because of the need to support his family. But this does not occur at the expense of the quality of the work.

During these strenuous times, Iraqi artists have become more agile and dexterous in experimenting with various techniques and styles. Art is a tradition in Iraq where paintings have quite a modern inspiration, falling somewhere inbetween the abstract and the figurative. Private galleries have tried to avoid dealing with state ordered propaganda style paintings.

Source: BBC News

A floral exhibition sponsored and patronaged by the wives of the foreign ambassadors to Seoul . . . It is believed that this semi-annual flower exhibition is an important part of cultural exchange between nations. Like music, floral arts do not require the expression of one’s ideas verbally. Flower displays are part of the practice of diplomacy and are embedded in various diplomatic protocols.

Source: Korea Now

The 4th International Gwangju Biennale has welcomed more than 200 international artists to participate under the theme of “Pause”. The director of the Biennale describes it “as a dynamic stop, something more relating to calming, openness and at the same time actively inventing a new future”.

This kind of international exhibition must be a challenging chance for citizens and artists to review their environment and their way of life. Outside the main exhibition space the visitors are invited to view a disused railway station and consider notions of “public art and the city”.

Source: BBC News