As the old saying goes, it’s a small world. I was reminded just how interconnected our world is – and how long it has been so – when I had the opportunity last weekend to visit the amazing exhibit “The Georgian Avantgarde” currently on display at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow.
This beautiful and thought-provoking exhibition traces the development of the intellectual traditions and artistic style of Modernism through the works of artists who moved freely between cities like Tbilisi, Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Paris in the early decades of the 20th century. It’s a reminder that we’ve always enjoyed exchanging pictures and ideas across long distances, inspiring one another in creative endeavors – even before the age of Instagram.
For me as an Ambassador, the exhibit was yet another example of the immense value of cultural exchange. History shows us that when creative people transcend borders, they become engines of creativity and innovation. That’s why promoting cultural exchange in all its forms has long been a centerpiece of American diplomacy. Such exchanges allow us to find common ground and affirm our shared humanity. Often, they inspire us to build a better, more beautiful world – together.
Check it out – I hope you learn as much as I did, and come away just as inspired.
