Contemporary art part of cultural identity

As contemporary art gains more and more ground in the Pacific region, some people are concerned that the value and authenticity of cultural identity will diminish.

“Not so,” says Allan Alo, a Samoan choreographer and artistic director of the Oceania Dance Center, a contemporary dance group based in Fiji.

On the contrary, contemporary art takes people back to their identity and culture as the creation of contemporary art forms involves delving into one’s traditional past he says. “To dance contemporary dance, you need to explore your culture and discover your identity.”

Speaking at the symposium, Alo said the depth of contemporary art in the Pacific was often underestimated. “There is more to contemporary art than pure entertainment. It is a tool for communicating powerful messages about social behavior and global challenges,” he says.

Many Pacific Island countries and territories present at the festival are displaying different forms of contemporary art as well as more traditional art forms.

Fiji’s Sailasa Tora, who specializes in traditional Fijian chants known as vucu, says as culture has evolved in the Pacific, musicians have created their own distinctive contemporary Pacific styles. He says each artist has their own unique genetic fingerprint and no matter what art style they produce, the essence of their art remains the same.

“It’s the individual musician who’s important. Even though they may use modern instruments, the celebration of [their identity] comes through the microphone and modern instruments.”

Well-known contemporary bands from around the Pacific including Fiji’s Black Rose, American Samoa’s Siliva Brothers, PNG’s Freelance, Island Fire from Western Samoa and Sharzy from Solomon Islands, have been popular crowd-pullers at the festival.

The festival’s Jam House is one of the main venues for bands and is a popular meeting place for young people.

Merita Leleua, Jam House manager, says the Pacific Island bands that are performing at the festival show the depth of musical talent in the Pacific.

“The common thing that we Pacific people share is music, both traditional and contemporary, and I believe that without both, this festival wouldn’t be complete,” she says.[B][I] (SPC)[/I][/B]