U.S. Singapore Relations 2003
By Lauren Moriarty, U.S. Senior Official for APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation)
September 6, 2003
On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the APEC Secretariat on the opening of their new building. I also want to thank the Singapore government for their generous support to APEC.
On the occasion of the official opening of this beautiful building, I am delighted to recognize a gift of artwork to the APEC Secretariat from an American artist, Dale Chihuly, one of the world's premier artists working in glass.
It is especially fitting that this gift is the work of an artist from Washington State since Seattle, Washington was the site of the first APEC Leaders Meeting.
Chihuly's work is known throughout the world. It draws on various artistic styles, particularly Native American art. U.S. Pacific Northwest Coast Indian baskets inspired Chihuly to create the beautiful glass baskets being donated today to the APEC Secretariat. In describing his basket series, Chihuly said: "The baskets turned out to be one of the best ideas I have ever had. I had seen some beautiful Indian baskets at the Washington State Historical Society, and I was struck by the grace of the slumped, sagging forms. I wanted to capture this grace in glass."
Today's gift of these beautiful glass baskets is a gift not only from Chihuly Studio but also from FedEx, which contributed to shipping this artwork in time for this opening ceremony.
Thank you.