Ambassador

Ambassador's Speeches

Vernisage 4

Honorable Ministers,

Distinguished Ambassadors and Diplomats,

Honorable Guests

Dear artists

Ladies and Gentlemen:

AKWABA.  Welcome to the American Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire and welcome to the fourth exposition of the Ambassador’s Art in the Atrium program entitled “Convergences”.

The embassy has continuously striven for a closer relationship with Cote d’Ivoire’s artistic community.  In the last few months alone, we have invited a hip-hop artist and an arts management specialist to travel to Cote d’Ivoire to work with Ivoirian musical and visual artists.  I invited Madame Annelies Assard displayed her beautiful quilts in this very hall for several weeks.  And as recently as last weekend, the embassy sponsored the General Assembly of the Federation of Artists and Artisans of Cote d’Ivoire, the FEDARTCI, a group that will work to publicize and commercialize Ivoirian arts.  Today, we are proud to present this exposition in partnership with M. Augustin Kassi and M. Christophe Dadié.  This exceptional exhibit thus represents a continuation of our countries’ artistic partnership.

In past expositions, we sought to underline that we believe in the fundamental unity of Ivorian peoples.  In this exposition, we are espousing the same message : we believe that all hearts in this country beat as one.

This exposition represents different kinds of ‘convergences’ – different ways in which Ivoirian peoples come together.  The first kind of convergence is that of different arts – painting and sculpture – which have been placed side by side to enrich the viewer’s experience.  The second convergence is that of generations.  M. Dadié and M. Kassi represent two generations of artists expressing their perspectives on the world around them.  M. Kassi’s students represent a third generation of artists who are also sharing their perceptions through their works.  Nevertheless, their different styles come together in this hall to create a harmonious, colorful, vibrant exposition.

This exposition also expresses hope for entire peoples coming together.  At the national level, the arts contribute to mutual understanding and reinforce Ivorian unity.  The arts also create international linkages.  Through these works, embassy employees can better appreciate the soul of Cote d’Ivoire.  And through the various art forms presented today, we are reminded of the amity and unity that understanding inspires, at all levels.

Long live Cote d’Ivoire, long live the United States, and long live the friendship between Ivorian and American peoples!