adminOrganisation’s General Assembly and Conference to be held at Victoria Falls from August 24-29
With less than two months left for us to host this momentous world event, art and culture authorities need to collectively and effectively present to the world a broad spectrum of Zimbabwe’s optimum visual and cultural manifestations as a mirror of our socio-cultural milieu.
Art works at their best become points of reference for posterity, the first port of call for civic diplomacy and an indelible hard drive for our collective memory. As a nation we are duty bound to present our best works of art, honestly, compassionately and equitably at this national and international tourism oeuvre. Artists too, should endeavour to produce their best works for the occasion and present the best visual spectrum the nation has to offer.
The global forum facilitated by the UNTWO is an appropriate space, event and platform to showcase the best of local visual content in order to revive and proclaim Zimbabwe’s creative genius to the rest of the world. In this endeavour Zimbabwe’s cultural industries cannot afford a faux pas of presenting mediocre and trivial opportunistic craft work at this auspicious occasion. It is mandatory that original and accomplished world standard artworks are selected. Our artist’s reputations deserve better and need to be upheld.
A concerted and comprehensive collection of art displayed at the UNWTO venue can go a long way in restoring and enhancing our civic image to the world and our cultural legacy as a nation known for its world-class art. Further, the creation and exposition of art is one way of investing in people.
The visual arts have the potential to encourage and stimulate economic growth, social and intellectual enlightenment and spearhead creative enterprise across the nation especially when linked with tourism. We should not allow ourselves to fall short of this potential opportunity to re-engage with the rest of the world vis-à-vis the cultural UNWTO stage.
For far too long there has been a tendency to view visual art in fragmented isolation from education, culture and tourism. The UNTWO proffers a lifetime opportunity to bring the multifarious skills and experience of our creative industry to the forefront of global tourism news. Through the UNWTO 2013, the pendulum of fortune can once again swing in favour of the arts and hopefully yield sustainable economic growth in the field.
Art can serve as a drawcard for tourism.
By channelling art as a diplomatic and cultural face of this nation, Zimbabweans in general, will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the cumulative effects derived in business, and other sectors through Art. Several artists I have interviewed have expressed interest to contribute to giving a face to the UNWTO 2013.
Prominent Harare Polytechnic Art lecturer and world renowned landscape painter Chrispine Mutsadyanga says: “. . . a country’s civilisation is seen and proven through its art work. It is a measure of our identity and cultural sophistication and should be part of any national showcase, such as the forthcoming UNWTO”. Another prominent post-Colonial artist Masimba Hwati says: “If correctly curated, the artworks shown during the course of the UNWTO can bring the nations art directly into the forefront of world culture, and encourage the promotion of cultural tourism in Zimbabwe . . .”
Tourism and hospitality consultant and renowned interior design specialist Michelina Andreucci, who has prepared several promotional materials and events for the occasion, quipped: “. . . time is not on our side, and we need to ensure that the visual arts and design sectors are engaged more robustly with tourism, culture and environmental sectors of Zimbabwe. Art and design are the important cultural phizog of the nation . . .”
A strong tourist infrastructure, with art as its visible anchor, can resurrect, resuscitate and boost Zimbabwe’s tourism economy. Our under-exposed but potentially rich, visual arts and cultural economy needs visionary leadership and administration. The UNWTO can provide a turning point and impetus to achieve strategic transformation in the presentation and consumption of not only the visual arts, but all other arts and cultural activities, and as such restore our cultural flagship to glory.
A concerted and comprehensive exhibition of visual arts displayed at UNWTO 2013 can go a long way to revive and restore our image to the world.
Can we rise to the occasion and give Zimbabwe’s visual arts the new resonance it so rightly deserves during the UNTWO 2013 General Assembly and Conference.
The Zimbabwean tourism mantra “A World of Wonders” should cascade to encompass its world-class visual arts within world tourism and arts circles.
Dr Tony Monda holds a PhD in Post-Modern Art Theory and a Doctorate in Business Administration( DBA) in Post-Colonial Art and Heritage Studies. He holds a Law and Art Diploma from Georgetown University, Washington DC, and worked with WALA (Washington Area Lawyers Association). He also studied law and photography at the Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC, USA. He is a practising artist, art critic, author, designer and corporate image consultant.
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