In this speech he expounds on the responsibility of art to promote that which is good in humankind. The following opening remarks by Dr. Pak were made at the First Annual International Conference of the Arts in Paris, France, on August 21, 1987. Honorable chairpersons, members of the executive advisory board, conference participants, and distinguished guests. On behalf of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, the founder of Artists Association International, please accept a most heartfelt and sincere welcome to Paris and the first International Conference of the Arts. Paris, the City of Lights, is the birthplace of yet another artistic endeavor and, as is the case with many artistic endeavors, this International Conference of the Arts is very special to its creator.
Art is inherently passionate, informative, and provocative.
The early cavemen never could have known to what extent their drawings would yield insight into the lives of early men. From prehistoric times to the present, art has offered mankind a vehicle through which to express his passions-from his sacred ideals to his greatest apprehensions and fears. Art is powerful and visionary, possessing within itself the ability to calm the soul one moment and instigate riots in another. In the 20th century, art continues to mirror man and his quest for ideals, recording our path as it has done for centuries. Art reveals that mankind asks more questions than provides answers, as artists often challenge the existing norms of society.