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Rideau Hall, Friday, May 2, 2008
Jean-Daniel and I are delighted to welcome you here to Rideau Hall and to have you join us around this large table, which is an invitation to discussion and to celebration.
Today, we are holding the 24th edition of Art Matters, this time in conjunction with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. Just last week, we were at The Banff Centre for the previous edition.
Welcome to Art Matters/Point des arts, created as a space for dialogue and reflection on the arts and culture.
I am very excited about the theme chosen for the Art Matters forum focusing on the performing arts.
Of all the art forms, the performing arts are perhaps the most “incarnate” of all, in that the medium for creation, its substance, is the body.
This is precisely what we will be exploring today.
The artist uses the body, voice, facial expression, gestures, and movement as a vehicle for self‑expression.
The artist’s entire being—carnal and spiritual—is offered up to the masses, at times at great risk.
We all know that our performing artists share their heart and soul on their lips, in their eyes, at their fingertips or through their feet.
But the stage, the performing arts, have undergone an extraordinary transformation in recent years.
I can’t wait to hear about how your practices have evolved, about new limitations, about the impact of new technologies on your disciplines.
Have your needs grown and, if so, are the means for you to produce and create sufficient?
While the process for creating art has seen some significant changes, one thing remains the same: the stage is still a meeting place.
A meeting between artists and spectators, who come face to face if only for a moment, who connect beyond that moment on stage.
For it is in that moment that the magic of the stage and performance comes alive.
In that space of openness and dialogue created between beings.
In that space that will not be restricted, limited, boxed in.
In that space where anything can happen, where anything is possible.
Thank you for accepting our invitation. Jean-Daniel and I are eager to hear what you have to say, as are all of our partners here.