How can cross-cultural arts projects cause political trouble? Across the world, international development programmes invest heavily on cross-cultural artistic projects as a form of cultural diplomacy. While appearing innocuous and inherently beneficial to local communities, artistic interventions can also extend colonial hegemony and cultural appropriation.
In this talk Nicholas Rowe shares stories of the intercultural dilemmas that can emerge from artistic exchange. He draws on three decades of cultural work across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. He also introduces the book series Talking Dance, which shares stories of dancers from across the Middle East and South East Asia.
BIO
Nicholas Rowe is an Associate Professor in Dance Studies at the University of Auckland and an Associate Investigator in the ArtsEqual Project, Academy of Finland.
Prior to joining the University, Nicholas lived in Ramallah in the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 2000—2008, working with arts education programmes in refugee camps throughout the West Bank, Gaza Strip and South Lebanon.
A prolific author and graduate of the Australian Ballet School, Nicholas holds a PhD from London Contemporary Dance School, University of Kent at Canterbury.