Archivi dei tag: culture

Art in the Time of War

During the tumultuous days of the Second World War, Kenneth Clark, the esteemed director of the National Gallery in London, was moved by an unexpected plea. While perusing the daily newspaper, he stumbled upon an article addressed to him. It contained a heartfelt letter from a reader, imploring him to reopen the museum’s doors, which had been shut due to the relentless German bombing.

The inherent danger to the priceless artworks was undeniable, yet Clark was struck by the poignant request. “It is precisely because of the war that we need to see beautiful things,” he mused, reflecting on the power of art to uplift spirits during dark times.

The challenge was formidable. Like many other museums, the National Gallery had cleared its exhibition halls, sending its precious collection to safety in an abandoned mine in Wales. This measure proved wise, as nine bombs had struck the National Gallery building since 1940, rendering a full reopening out of the question. Nevertheless, Clark was determined to provide solace to the war-weary Londoners.

In an unprecedented move, Clark introduced the “Picture of the Month” initiative. Each month, one masterpiece was transported back to the National Gallery under the strictest security protocols. This covert operation ensured that the artwork faced no risk. Two vigilant assistants stood by, ready to evacuate the painting at the slightest hint of danger. Every night, the piece was secured in an underground vault.

To Clark’s amazement, the public embraced this initiative with enthusiasm. Month after month, despite the ongoing war, Londoners flocked to the gallery to catch a glimpse of masterpieces by Titian, Velázquez, Renoir, and other luminaries. These artworks, shuttling back and forth, provided a much-needed balm for the city’s collective soul. As the letter’s author aptly put it, “It’s risky but worth it!”

This inspiring story begs the question: Do you agree that artworks are good for morale?

Why Art Matters in Times of Crisis

Art has always played a crucial role in human history, especially during times of crisis. The “Picture of the Month” initiative during WWII is a testament to this enduring truth. Here are a few reasons why art remains vital, even in the direst circumstances:

  1. Emotional Respite: Art provides an escape, offering a moment of peace and beauty amidst chaos.
  2. Cultural Continuity: It reminds us of our shared heritage and the enduring nature of human creativity.
  3. Inspiration and Hope: Art can inspire resilience and hope, showcasing humanity’s ability to create and appreciate beauty, even in dark times.

The Legacy of Kenneth Clark’s Decision

Kenneth Clark’s decision to bring back one artwork at a time was more than a gesture; it was a lifeline for the spirit of Londoners. It highlighted the profound connection between art and the human experience, proving that even in the face of destruction, beauty and culture are indispensable.

So, the next time you visit a museum or gaze upon a beautiful piece of art, remember the courageous decision of Kenneth Clark and the solace it brought to many during the war. Art, indeed, is not just a luxury but a necessity for the human spirit.

Do you have a favorite piece of art that lifts your spirits? Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to my blog, for more articles!

Simply Happy

In her book The Happiness Project, author Gretchen Rubin describes how she dedicated an entire year of her life doing things that can increase her happiness. Although we all aspire to have more time, resources and energy, few of us really take actions to achieve this admirable goal. But there is one simple thing that can bring more happiness into our lives, of which we are all capable, and which has proven being worth: developing and improving our personal relationships.

Your brother-in-law has just been promoted to senior manager. The lady who takes care of your dog when you’re not around has just found her dream job. And you? What has happened to you to make you happier?

According to various psychologists and studies conducted on the subject, neither professional status nor wealth have a more significant impact on our emotional well-being than a fulfilling relationship.

According to a study carried out by the London School of Economics and broadcasted by the BBC, it is indeed close ties that have the greatest impact on our happiness. The study, based on a survey of about 200,000 respondents, examines the impact of various external factors on the overall life satisfaction rate. On a scale of 1 to 10, the findings revealed that doubling your salary has very little influence on your happiness, while meeting a person to whom you feel closely connected, maybe a potential partner, is much more important.

Although the success of your brother-in-law and dog-sitter is more easily measurable (a consequence of a higher position and greater economic freedom), true happiness is feeling connected to others. That being said, it’s not just about romantic relationships. People are happier when they hang out with others who share the same interests, culture, or also sense of humour.

So, if you can’t do what makes you happy 365 days a year, if your career is stuck or if your bank account is almost empty, don’t give up! A conversation with one of your best friend can be the key to your happiness.

Why do not you follow this advice and call one of your friends now?

The Challenges of Communicating Across Cultures

I live and work in an real multicultural environment.

The city where I live is Brussels that hosts about 150 different nationalities. The place I work with is the European Commission where all the 28 European Union nationalities are represented.

Sometimes it is difficult to communicate to each other, as you have to pay much attention to other’s sensitivity, emotions and feelings.

Day after day, I learned that each culture has their own approach to communication. 

I found a very interesting the book of the anthropologist Edward Hall, Beyond Culture. He identified the importance of context in communication and raised the attention on the “invisible” type of communication, by which groups of people understand and interpret the world.

The framework proposed by Hall for approaching intercultural communication is high-context and low-context cultures, which refer to the values cultures place on indirect and direct communication.

It is important to note that no culture is completely high-context or low-context, since all societies contain at least some parts that are both high and low. For example, the United States is a low-context culture while doing business, but during family gatherings tend to be high-context.

Let us see now the main features of the two cultural types.

High-Context Cultures

A high-context culture relies on implicit communication and nonverbal cues. In high-context communication, a message cannot be understood without a great deal of background information. Asian, African, Arab, central European and Latin American cultures are generally considered to be high-context cultures.

With people belonging mainly to high-context cultures, you may encounter the following:

  1. Misunderstanding when exchanging information
  2. Impression of a lack of information
  3. Large amount of information is provided in a non-verbal manner, e.g. gestures, pauses, facial expressions
  4. Emphasis on long term relationships and loyalty
  5. Unwritten rules that are taken for granted but can easily be missed. 

Low-Context Cultures

A low-context culture relies on explicit communication. In low-context communication, more of the information in a message is spelled out and defined. Cultures like the Germans, Scandinavians, Americans and Australians are generally considered to be low-context cultures.

Dealing with people belonging mainly to low-context cultures, you may find the following:

  1. All meaning is explicitly provided in the message itself
  2. Extensive background information and explanations are provided verbally to avoid misunderstandings
  3. People tend to have short-term relationships
  4. People follow rules and standards closely.

To avoid “diplomatic incidents”, I try to pay much attention to my interlocutor languages and “imitate” them using the technique of the mirror, namely, repeating the body language, the type of words they use, how they overall handle the conversation.

What about you? Which culture do you think you belong to? Which technique do you use to better communicate across cultures?