Fall 2008
CULTURAL QUESTION TIME
With the collaboration of the British Council, Istanbul
12 November 2008
“Nous sommes Orientaux!” declared Claudia Roden to a packed
auditorium of heads of cultural institutions, academics, students and
Turkish TV crews. The Egyptian-born writer, who single-handedly
introduced the British public to Middle Eastern food in 1968, and
revolutionised not only our eating habits but the UK's view of the
Middle East, joined a prominent line-up at a Cultural Question Time
event in Istanbul. Designed to coincide with the showing of “Lure of
the East: British Orientalist Painting” the aim of the event was to
draw out a lively, contemporary debate about some of the more
controversial issues raised by the exhibition. The formidable panel
included Palestinian musician and broadcaster Reem Kelani; the author
and Turkey Representative of International Crisis Group, Hugh Pope;
international curator Vasif Kortun, and the eminent Turkish historian
Edhem Eldem.
Modelled on the popular BBC TV series, this properly interactive
event was Intercultural Dialogue in action. A scan of the audience
demonstrated that we had succeeded in attracting an ethnically and
religiously diverse audience - both young and old - who shared one
ambition: to exchange views. Rosemary Arnott, British Council Director
Turkey and Black Sea set the tone for the event by announcing at the
outset: “I see this exhibition as a unique opportunity - a catalyst -
for a frank discussion about our shared history: points of connection
and areas of conflict." Questions ranging from global identity,
cultural imperialism and the conflict of self-representation, together
with lively responses from the panellists, were deftly chaired by
Andrea Rose, British Council Director of Visual Arts. Acknowledging the
contribution of her fellow countryman Edward Said, Kelani offered a new
and radical view on the subject: “Orientalism is not good or bad per
se. It’s like religion or music. There’s good Orientalism and bad
Orientalism”, whilst Kortun reminded us that the first market for
Orientalist painting was in the Gulf. The event was broadcast on
national TV, ensuring that we reached a huge audience, and participants
have asked for more editions of Cultural Question Time. This is a new
event developed specially for this exhibition, but it clearly has
global possibility and appeal.
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