WASHINGTON, USA – The short film Carlos Páez Vilaró: Raíces de paz /Roots of Peace, which highlights the artistic, historical and symbolical value of the Mural of the same name hosted at the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC, has been nominated by the National Capital Chapter of the US National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for two Emmy awards. The documentary was nominated in the category of Historical/Cultural Long-Form Content, and directors Michael Skinner and Jon Michael Shink were nominated in the category of Directors Long-Form Format.
OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro said of the nomination: “We are delighted to see the value of this documentary recognized, as it is in turn a recognition of the work of Páez Vilaró and of this transcendent work he created at the OAS. This work of art shines a light on the need for commitment in the fight for racial equality, for more rights for more people. The mural captures with images what our words often cannot. We hope the documentary and their directors win these prestigious awards, but regardless of the outcome, we are excited that, thanks to this documentary, many more people have become aware of this treasure.”
Carlos Páez Vilaró, the Uruguayan painter, potter, sculptor, muralist, writer, composer and builder (1923 – 2014), created the mural “Roots of Peace” in 1965. It runs underneath the OAS campus next to the National Mall in Washington, DC, for a total of 530 feet (160 meters). Humidity in the underground space affected it and the artist repainted it in 1975. In 2001-2002, it was again restored by Spanish artist Roberto Arce.
The documentary on the mural was made possible by the ministry of foreign affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain; the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation; the Permanent Observer Mission of Spain to the OAS; and the OAS AMA | Art Museum of the Americas.
Through the lens of executive producers Michael Skinner and Jon Michael Shink, the film shines a light on Carlos Paez Vilaró’s stunning mural and includes interviews with Ángeles Moreno Bau, Spain’s secretary of state for foreign and global affairs; Carmen Montón Giménez, permanent observer ambassador of Spain to the OAS; Luis Almagro, secretary-general of the OAS; Adriana Ospina, director of the OAS AMA; and Roberto Arce, Conservator and Restorer of Roots of Peace.
Ambassador Montón responded to the nominations by saying that “this nomination reinforces the work that Spanish cultural diplomacy carries out to publicize the culture that unites us with the Americas and Spain. From the Permanent Observer Mission of Spain to the OAS we are very happy, and the nomination already means a reward for our work committed to multilateralism, international cooperation, and solidarity towards the Organization and its member states.”
The AMA serves as the principal instrument of cultural diplomacy of the OAS. AMA’s mission is founded on the notion that the arts are transformative for individuals and communities. This guiding principle promotes the core values of the OAS by providing a space for cultural expression, creativity, innovation, dialog, and learning, while highlighting themes such as democracy, development, human rights, justice, freedom of expression, and innovation. The AMA’s work draws on contemporary art to showcase a constructive vision of the future of the Americas via local and hemispheric cultural exchange.
The Capital Emmy Awards winners will be announced on June 25, 2022.
