Art as Cultural Diplomacy
Introduction
Cultural Diplomacy in Practice (CDP) is the application and implementation of the theory of cultural diplomacy, including all models that have been practiced throughout history by individual, community, state or institutional actors in order to facilitate and improve relations between disparate cultures. These models include for example cultural exchange programs, international delegations (e.g., American jazz ambassadors) and sports competitions. These examples have the unique ability to affect intercultural and interfaith understanding and promote reconciliation.In today’s increasingly globalized and interdependent world, it is more necessary than ever to improve and develop current methods as well as to inspire new models. In light of these developments, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy has created the Cultural Diplomacy in Practice (CDP) department to improve traditional modes of intercultural interaction and to stoke the creation of new tactics in different settings and cultural contexts around the world.
Marc Bogaerts - Choreographer Director
Head of Program - Cultural Diplomacy in Practice
He went on to excel at boxing and middle distance running; he later decided to pursue more artistic efforts. Marc Bogaerts began his artistic career at the Royal Ballet of Flanders. He later became an honorary guest performer with Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown and Laura Dean. He called New York his home for eleven years, while continuing to mesmerize audiences worldwide.
From New York he travelled to Berlin, where he cemented his reputation as a pioneer in cross-disciplinary genres. He achieves this vision through less conventional combinations such as ballet dancers with athletes, circus artists with ballroom dancers, figure skaters with weight lifters, dramatic tension is uniquely created by exploring the boundaries of artistic synergy.
S.P.O.R.T as Cultural Diplomacy
www.BogaertsProductions.net; www.moving-sport.com; www.absolventenshow.de
The recent events of Olympics 2012 displayed the art of sport as the extraordinary physical feat of body movements and are the inspiration for this sports show. The choreography of Marc Bogearts in the show S.P.O.R.T. has turned sport into a dance form – “Spornce”. Pole vaulting, gymnastics, boxing, discuss throwing, juggling, sprinting have all taken on new forms when set to music – coupled with the Marc Bogearts trademark aerial choreography sport will never be seen in its former light again. The pulsating music is the backdrop to the flexing, swinging, balancing, and juggling, which makes this show so dynamic and ground- breaking.This show is the culmination of a five year training program at the Berlin School of Artists, which brings the “highs” and “lows” the differences and commonality of life as well as the emotions experienced, when watching “the best of the best” perform against each other through performing art.Once again, this breath-taking display of sporty body contortions used as a dance form – is another excellent Marc Bogearts “pushing the boundaries of the ordinary, into the extraordinary” – production.
