Arts Beat by Glyn Goffin
There are some real fears within our terror-stricken society, but art by Arab-Canadians should not be a source of panic.
Unfortunately, art became one of Canada’s scares as the Canadian Museum of Civilization decided to indefinitely postpone an art show representing 26 young Arab-Canadian artists.
Following the Sept. 11 attack, the museum decided there could be a possible backlash against the artists or a controversy surrounding the exhibit.
Now remember, it’s art not politics.
The origin or roots of an artist shouldn’t impact the integrity of a show.
Luckily, the show called “The Lands Within Me: Expressions by Canadian Artists of Arab Origin,” has now opened.
After the museum decided to cancel the show the controversial decision reached the House of Commons for debate.
First off, the show shouldn’t have been postponed.
The House should have stayed out of the debate because the museum is a politically independent Crown corporation.
The museum made its initial decision and it should never have been put up for political debate.
It’s a sad case when the art world ends up being controlled by the political spectrum.
Canada needs to pride itself in its cultural pluralism. By originally postponing “The Lands Within Me,” that diversity was suppressed.
Canada prides itself on being a cultural mosaic and that is true within the arts community.
Diversity can be explored by viewing the cultural aspects of different countries.
It can be a great learning opportunity for people to view the immigrant experience through art and personal testimony.
This exhibit is a great way for Canadians to learn about fellow Canadians.
In the exhibit there are some graphic images showing the difficult lives and journeys that brought us some of our Canadian-Arab neighbours.
In a time where there is a great deal of needless panic and fear in our society there is no need for a learning experience to be cancelled.
Many decisions surrounding the show were made and not all of them were legitimate.
But it’s great to see poor decisions were reversed and that “The Lands Within Me” is now on display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Hopefully politics will now stay out of art.
Exposure for these young Canadian-Arab artists will help them with their artistic endeavors in their new country.
More importantly, “The Lands Within Me” will give many Canadians exposure to the hardships that brought us our Canadian neighbours of Arab origin..