Sao Paulo, Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Hello and welcome to Art Matters, a forum for dialogue and reflection on culture.

This will be the first Art Matters we hold outside of Canada, and we are proud that it is taking place here in Brazil, a country renowned for the originality of its creative spirits. 

My husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, and I are thrilled to welcome artists, designers, thinkers, and researchers from Brazil and Canada who will examine the relationship between art and new technologies.

I have been to Brazil once before. I came in 1992 as a journalist with Canada’s public television network to cover the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

I remember having the very distinct impression of being immersed in a fascinating world of culture and ideas the entire time I was here.

I am extremely happy to once again find myself in Brazil, this time as Governor General of Canada. I am delighted that the artistic and cultural effervescence that so fascinated me last time is still intact and I am excited to celebrate it with you today.

Despite the thousands of kilometres that separate them, Canada and Brazil have a lot in common.

Both a part of the Americas, our countries have a wealth of young people and a vast diversity of cultures. They are countries that welcome people from all over the world, countries that are open to emerging trends.

It is not surprising, then, that both countries have entered the world of new technologies with a similar spirit of adventure and innovation.

Both countries are trying to push the boundaries of these new virtual worlds. Both believe that these worlds must first and foremost be spaces for expression, creation and experimentation, thereby encouraging daring and contributing to the advancement of humanity.

New technologies are transforming our societies and forcing them to evolve at an accelerated rate. It is imperative that we take a moment to stop and think about how they are affecting the way we live in, see and shape the world.

A Canadian artist and philosopher, Hervé Fischer, wrote that progress is not a mountain that rises up before us; it is not something we can photograph or measure. Nor should we attempt to use technology to scale it. Progress is in the eyes and commitment of those who climb the mountain.

It is the vision and unique point of view of our artists that allow us to progress and evolve. For them, everything is a source of creation.

We must hope that new technologies increase our ability to celebrate the diversity that characterizes our two countries and the world.

This in turn will result in more fulfilled individuals and societies.

Thank you. May your discussions be fruitful.