Guido Garaycochea
(1961 born in Lima, Peru)
Totem
Mixed media on canvas 2004, 86 x 152 cm

Art opens up new perspectives

Dialogue, comprehension, communication – these concepts are key to international cooperation. Mutual understanding, awareness of partner countries’ values and norms and sensitivity to other cultures can determine the success or failure of cooperative ventures. Art has always been an important medium of intercultural exchange. Dialogue through art and about art teaches us a great deal about different cultures and awakens interest in other people and countries.

Since 1996 the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH (German Technical Cooperation) has organised a major annual exhibition of contemporary art, including paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculpture. All the works on display are by artists living in countries where GTZ operates. The exhibitions provide a glimpse of other cultures, stimulate discussion and foster communication with artists. They also provide a forum for artists to present their work to a public outside their home countries.

GTZ’s art exhibitions also enrich its organisational culture by stimulating dialogue among the staff – because art generates enthusiasm. It opens people’s eyes to the many different facets of life and enables new perspectives to unfold.

GTZ is continually adding to its art collection by purchasing artworks from each year’s exhibition. The collection now comprises some 100 pictures and sculptures from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Download

• Kunst in der GTZ - Art at GTZ
  Dialog, Verständigung, Kommunikation: Kunst eröffnet neue Perspektiven
  Dialogue, comprehension, communication: Art opens up new perspectives
  GTZ 2007, 88 Seiten/pages
  de-en-Kunst-in-der-GTZ-Katalog.pdf, 3.60 MB (German/English)