Soft Power in Asia: Realizing the Creative Potential of Canada’s Asia Connection

Author(s): Hank Bull

Published: August 02, 2011  

Op-Ed

Asian art is big business. The design of Asian museums by leading world architects, the rapid expansion of arts education in the region, and Asia’s booming art market all signify that Asian countries are driving culture, innovation and creativity. These nations understand that the projection of their cultural values abroad increases their “soft power” that can further their international interests.

Canada needs to do the same. Its “think industries” are an underdeveloped resource for attracting business, building human capital and promoting multi‐lateral cooperation. We could start to promote our think industries by strengthening our cultural connections with Asia.

The convergence of creativity, information technology and globalization has made art a promising career path in Asia. For example, there are approximately one million students enrolled in art and design schools in China. Moreover, competition for admission is stiff: Families camp out over night in hopes of winning a seat for their child at the entrance examinations.

Growing world demand for art has prompted major auction houses to schedule sales of contemporary Asian art in places like Dubai and Hong Kong. In addition, top European and American galleries have opened shop in Beijing and New Delhi. And what’s more, art prices in Asia barely blinked during the recession.

Commercial art fairs and state sponsored international salons bring artists, collectors and scholars together in major Asian cities like Taipei, Guangzhou, Singapore, Sharjah, and Yokohama, among others. These gatherings not only bolster their global significance as capitals of art and learning, but also encourage the kind of pluralistic cultural exchange that builds a sense of global cohesion. In a post‐colonial and multi‐lateral world, art builds understanding and explores the ironies and complexities of communicating across political, economic and linguistic borders.

Canada needs to learn from Asia’s example. We have great artists and talented creative communities, and Canada is a world leader in cultural diversity – this is one country where “multi‐culturalism” cannot be called a failure. The striking renaissance of Canada’s Aboriginal cultures and the excellence of its universities are achievements of which we can be proud.

But we have not fully exploited the tremendous potential of our creative economy, especially with regard to Asia. For Canada to be effective at projecting its interests abroad we should export the values that make this country great. The effect will be not only to make Canada a desirable place with which to do business, but also to encourage our trading partners to believe that pluralism and freedom of expression are qualities that make a nation strong.

There are, however, some signs of progress. Two major exhibitions currently on view ‐ the Terracotta Warriors at the Museum of Fine Arts, and Maharajah at the Art Gallery of Ontario ‐ are increasing Canadians’ understanding of Asian history and culture. These projects, undertaken by some of the largest museums in the country demonstrate Asia’s importance to Canada and pay tacit respect to the concept, recognized by more and more people, that Canada is an Asia‐Pacific country. A number of smaller arts organizations, like the South Asian Arts Centre (SAVAC) in Toronto and the Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Centre A) operate ongoing programs that connect Canada's diverse Asian scene to a global network of contemporary art production.

There are other ways Canada can build a stronger arts connection with Asia. We should fund artistic residencies and exchanges between artists. We should invest in arts education and encourage partnerships between schools. Canada should open cultural centres in Asia and promote them as places that showcase Canada’s artistic excellence. We should invite more Asian artists to exhibit, teach and perform in Canada. And we should enable collaboration between museums and organize international exhibitions of the work of Canadian artists.

The impact of Asian investment, immigration and trade is changing Canada in profound ways. The arts tell a story that makes this change meaningful in human terms, helping people to understand, on both sides of the Pacific, that Canada and Asia have much to share.

Hank Bull is a Senior Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and co‐founder of the Vancouver International Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (Centre A) in 1999 serving as its Executive Director until 2010.