The tragic death of British contemporary art showcasing

The British Council, the ambassador of British Contemporary art with a presence in many countries, is opting for a major revamp. As part of the revamp, the council is planning to cut down on the media and arts section that holds over 60 shows a year in many countries across the globe. While this move is in line with the shift of focus towards more realistic and scientific goals it has not gone down well with the media industry.

More than 100 British artists including big names like Tracey Emin, David Hockney and Damien Hirst have joined forces to make a written condemnation of the move. The Guardian announced the major shakeup of the British Council yesterday. Comments have been hurled on both sides.

The condemning letter says that the artists are "especially concerned" about the demise of the British council's visual arts section, while the British Council said "People are commenting on something when they haven't seen the final picture."

The British council spokeswoman also added “We'll retain specialist expertise across sectors and we're undergoing extensive consultation over the next couple of months with key people from the sector. Essentially all we have at the moment is some internal restructuring.”

The condemning letter also stated "Why, without any consultation, does the British Council seem intent on abandoning the best proven means of conducting cultural relations through the arts? The department's programme of over 60 shows a year... would be an inexplicable and, indeed, tragic loss. These exhibitions... represent Britain in the best possible light."

The British Council arts group claims on its website that it "brings the best of UK arts to the rest of the world".  It also says that its existence is to “build mutually beneficial cultural and educational relationships between the United Kingdom and other countries, and increase appreciation of the United Kingdom's creative ideas and achievements".

Rachel Whiteread, artist says “It's appalling really, considering the amount the British Council has done over the years for highlighting British contemporary art all over the world and helping it have an enormous reputation”.

The director of arts for the British council, Venu Dhupa, spoke to the Guardian and said "What I'm trying to do...is making sure that the arts are a strategic transformation force, because that's when they are at their most powerful."

Other signatories to the letter also include Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota, Gilbert & George, Joanna Lumley, Melvyn Bragg and Antony Gormley.

All one can do now is to let the British council have its way and see how it fares on the art and entertainment front as a result of these “radical changes”.