Desai also underlined Cai Guoqiang's role in spreading Chinese culture in the U.S. Though he is less famous than Tan Dun in China, the visual artist has already made a splash among New Yorkers. Cai, known for his gunpowder drawings, launched a choreographed fireworks display over Central Park in 2003. In 2006, he became the first Chinese artist to feature his work on the rooftop garden of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Desai says she is pleased that the two artists are involved in the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games, since their participation will add more color to the event.
"I do think it is very important, that it is not just about presenting the traditional part of China in a sort of uncritical way, but also to present some great contemporary thinkers, writers and visual artists. I'm very happy that Cai Guoqiang is one of the artists who is going to help with the early fireworks, because he is an international and global artist, and I think that's very useful. I understand that Tan Dun is going to be one of the advisors for the initial musical performances, and I think featuring those people is very important."
Desai thinks China could make the Olympics more culturally attractive by incorporating more foreign artistic elements into performances.
"I think that it would be quite important if China had also worked to present world arts - not just China's own art, but actually creating a kind of cultural Olympics of world artists coming together, because it is only a kind of role that China can play as a globally important player, and that is to be part of the international community of artists."
A native of India, Desai holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Mumbai and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Asian Art History from the University of Michigan. Before joining the Asia Society in 1990, Desai was a curator at The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
(CRI March 30, 2008)