VZCZCXRO3260
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHROV
DE RUEHKU #4698/01 3580637
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240637Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7949
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 004698 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/PPD (DBENZE), NEA/ARP (BJACKSON), OBO/OM/ART 
(EASH), R 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO XF KU
SUBJECT: ARTISTIC AMBASSADOR LINDA TOUBY DAZZLES KUWAIT, NOVEMBER 
30-DECEMBER 7, 2006 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  Stunning New York abstract expressionist artist Linda 
Touby landed in Kuwait on her first trip to the Middle East on 
November 30, opening a whirlwind week of dynamic cultural 
interaction with a range of Kuwaiti audiences.  Ms. Touby splashed 
onto the Kuwait art scene with a welcoming reception given in her 
honor by the Ambassador on December 2.  Public Affairs staff put 
together a vigorous five-day program of engagement with youth and 
professional audiences for the American Artist Abroad, including 
gallery openings, art exhibits, a field trip with students, and 
lunches with art patrons and members of the ruling family during her 
visit.  Ms. Touby's fascinating displays of her work and energetic 
lectures before hundreds of students on the topic of "The Journey of 
an American Artist" were polished, riveting, and so well-received 
that she continued to make new contacts until just hours before her 
return flight to the U.S. on December 7.  END SUMMARY 
 
¶2.  COMMENT: Embassy highly recommends Posts take advantage of the 
"ART in Embassies" program as a means of reaching a wide variety of 
audiences.  The artist effortlessly used her work to exchange ideas 
on a range of topics with groups of Kuwaitis representing diverse 
social classes, genders, employment sectors, as well as religious 
and political persuasions.  END COMMENT. 
 
Creatively Breaking down Barriers 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  Public Affairs staff arranged a full schedule of speaking, 
social, and press engagements for American painter Linda Touby whose 
weeklong visit to Kuwait November 30 through December 6 is part of 
the Department's ART in Embassies program.  Energetic and charming 
Ms. Touby conducted outreach to hundreds of Kuwaiti youth through 
her popular lectures to art students at the Women's College at 
Kuwait University, the American University of Kuwait, Gulf 
University of Science & Technology, the Universal American School 
and the PAAET College of Basic Education and Interior Design/Arts. 
Local artists were able to learn from Ms. Touby's program and share 
their experiences at several social events, including a visit and 
presentation to artists at the Kuwait Arts Society, a traditional 
diwaniya visit, and a reception held December 2 at the Ambassador's 
residence.  Seven of her paintings in the abstract style have been 
on display at the Ambassador's residence since 2004.  The 
approximately 50 guests included Kuwaiti artists, musicians, media, 
and patrons of the arts as well art students.  The story of the ART 
in Embassies program and Touby's life as an artist in America was 
maximized by press events (coverage below) that included exclusive 
interviews with local press and arts magazines and appearances on 
Kuwait TV.  Detailed photographs of Touby's massive canvasses 
spilled off the edges of her PowerPoint presentation, a vibrant 
backdrop for her interactive lectures. 
 
Multimedia Approach 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  Embassy Public Affairs staff arranged for Touby's message of 
understanding through the arts to reach the Kuwaiti public through 
targeted media appearances.  These included an exclusive interview 
with "Kuwait Review," a local art and literature monthly magazine, 
as well as appearances on two popular television programs.  Ms. 
Touby was interviewed on "Good Morning Kuwait," a morning talk show 
with a loyal professional audience, and she reached out to Kuwaiti 
youth on the trendy evening program "Raikum Shabab" ("Your Opinion 
Youth").  The television appearances included clips of the artist 
framed by her artwork filmed at the Ambassador's residence.  Capping 
off the media outreach were photographs and stories about her tour 
of Kuwait that appeared in the local Arabic- and English-language 
press. 
 
Media coverage: 
 
12/03/06, "Kuwait Times" daily newspaper, p. 23, 1/4 page, 1 photo, 
(circ. 40,000), English 
12/04/06, "Good Morning Kuwait," Kuwait TV, 10 minute segment on the 
ART in Embassies program, talked about her inspiration and insights 
as an artist, and explained the New York art scene. 
12/04/06, "Kuwait Review: Literature, Culture & the Arts" interview 
on Ms. Touby's life as an artist and the importance of art as bridge 
of understanding between different cultures, publication pending 
12/05/06, "Al-Seyassah" daily newspaper, p. 55, 1/4 page, 3 photos, 
(circ. 45,000), Arabic 
12/05/06, "Raikum Shabab" (Youth Opinion) on Al-Rai satellite TV, 
(viewership ~200,000), English and Arabic. 
More than Meets the Eye 
----------------------- 
 
¶5.  Linda Touby's discussion of the historical development of the 
abstract art genre captivated target audiences and individuals 
previously inaccessible to Public Affairs.  Taken with her topic and 
work, one magazine editor, who previously declined Embassy 
invitations, attended three separate occasions on Touby's schedule. 
 
KUWAIT 00004698  002 OF 002 
 
 
This artist's presentations also provided a unique opportunity for 
Public Affairs staff to interface with a conservative Muslim 
audience at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training 
(PAAET).  More than 250 university-level students enthusiastically 
received Touby's remarks and massed around her at the conclusion of 
her lectures, seeking autographs and her contact details.  Her 
infectious spirit and open demeanor, combined with the retelling of 
her fascinating life experiences created a space for dialogue about 
issues beyond art, including a discussion with Kuwaiti students 
about the positive and negative aspects of gender-segregated 
education systems. 
 
Sparking Dialogue through Art 
----------------------------- 
 
¶6.  The "ART in Embassies" program provided a genuine opportunity to 
exchange intellectual ideas and culture.  Bringing an artist of 
Linda Touby's stature and expertise to a variety of venues and 
social groups in Kuwait promotes U.S. social values through 
interaction.  Many of those from conservative backgrounds who 
attended Touby's lectures may not have had the opportunity to view 
her profoundly intense and colorful creations, speak with an 
American artist in person, or consider study or travel in the U.S. 
before meeting her.  This program provided an avenue of approach to 
hundreds of students and art-lovers to a slice of American culture 
that is not present in newspapers, magazines, television, or 
movies. 
 
Building Global Bridges through Art 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  Linda Touby's visit to Kuwait addressed the Embassy MPP goals of 
close ties with allies and friends, continuing outreach to 
conservative Islamic communities, and expanding outreach to youth 
audiences.  This artistic ambassador's outstanding presentations 
encompassed a range of international influences including African, 
Asian, American, and European art forms that have inspired her work. 
 She freely admitted that her experiences during this 
"life-changing" visit had altered her views about Kuwait and would 
certainly inform her future creations, endearing her to all the 
audiences she addressed. 
 
Eager Partners 
-------------- 
 
¶8.  Embassy program partners, such as American University of Kuwait 
(AUK), Gulf University of Science and Technology (GUST), and PAAET 
graciously provided venues, refreshments, and publicity for the 
speaking engagements.  AUK also arranged transportation for Linda 
Touby and art class students to participate in a field trip at the 
Kuwait Science Center.  Post has received a number of requests from 
program partners eager to continue engagement through art and to 
maintain communication with this extremely effective representative 
of American art and culture. 
 
A Picture Perfect Success 
------------------------- 
 
¶9.  Linda Touby's talks carried students on an exhilarating journey 
through her life in the New York art world.  Ms. Touby was so 
popular that each event far exceeded the Embassy's expectations in 
terms of audience size and composition, bringing to life American 
society and values for even a number of religiously conservative 
audiences. 
 
LEBARON