Cate Blanchett Warns Against “Unthinking Certainty” as She Accepts Japan’s Praemium Imperiale
Cate Blanchett accepted Japan’s Praemium Imperiale for theatre and film at a ceremony in Tokyo, using her remarks to defend doubt as an essential part of creativity. She said uncertainty enables questioning, connection and change, and argued that her own doubts help her listen and find meaning in what remains unsaid.
The lifetime achievement prize covers five arts disciplines and carries an honorarium of 15 million yen, just under US$100,000. Blanchett was among five laureates, alongside artist Jenny Holzer, sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, architect Daniel Libeskind and conductor Herbert Blomstedt; Hillary Clinton also spoke about the importance of supporting the arts as artificial intelligence advances.
In short
- Blanchett received Japan’s Praemium Imperiale in Tokyo.
- She described doubt as a starting point for creative work.
- The award includes 15 million yen, just under US$100,000.
Explained simply
The Praemium Imperiale is an annual Japanese award recognising achievement across five fields: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theatre or film. Its laureates receive an honorarium, and the award is often described as an international counterpart to major arts prizes.
Cate Blanchett is an Australian actor whose work spans film and theatre. The other recipients named this year include artist Jenny Holzer, sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, architect Daniel Libeskind and conductor Herbert Blomstedt; the awards bring attention to the range of artistic work recognised by the prize.
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