DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.13852#0050
THE ART CENTRE.
l9
become international in spite of their native lands, or the local laws that
too often would hold them back in cruel chains of limitation. The bird in
the air is free to fly from the North to the South, from the East to the West,
and may build its nest, and fulfil its little life, and sing its song in all parts
of the world. Nothing but climate hampers its freedom. The creative artist
will and must have the same liberty. His voice, if appealing and inspiring,
belongs to the whole world. The colour and form he can give, if animating
and uplifting, are eagerly sought for and prized by all mankind. More and
more, as the world's population increases and spreads, the true artist must
include and uplift the whole human race by strong ideals. His conceptions
must be based on the great human needs that are common to all, and thus
his task becomes more elevating and broader in its scope.
The creation of ideals and the truthful portrayal of grand aspirations
and searchings after nobler things constitute mans highest mission. Art and
science together search for truths which elevate and animate life. The aim
of each, though theoretically different, is practically the same; they both strive
to create. The scientist, in controlling hidden energies, producing motor
power, destroying disease, generating light, and endeavouring to reveal the
unseen universe, raises man upon a securer plane of existence, and enables
him to interpret divine truth more logically and comprehensively. The artist
by seeking a higher presentment of beauty and form, creates emblems of all
human activities; with delicate lines and majestic grandeur he blends the
material and the divine in a symbol of animated purity; and by composing
symphonies that uplift the soul through the magic of their rhythm, unites the
sympathies of humanity into an ideal undying harmony.
Therefore it seems needless to go into philosophical detail in order to
explain the priceless value of works of art in relation to human progress, or
to dwell upon their technical or moral worth. Yet it may be said that all
true works of art, as well as all great achievements in science, are, by virtue
of their excellence and their power of appeal, becoming international property.
The former besides their actual technical and aesthetic qualities, represent the
history of man's evolution. His ideals and religion, his social ambitions and
culture at different epochs can all be clearly traced by means of the leading
art productions of the time, — productions which are now of inestimable
historic value. Notwithstanding the fact that most nations have their own
art centre and national gallery, as well as schools, the creation of an interna-
tional centre would meet an ever increasing need : that of collecting the best
works of art in a common permanent centre, whence after being duly accepted
the masterpieces might be distributed, in order to secure the advancement
of art along grander and broader lines.
International exhibitions prove how rapidly the art of all nations may
be collected and diffused again throughout the world. They have already
gone far towards uniting the artist and the art of one nation with those of
l9
become international in spite of their native lands, or the local laws that
too often would hold them back in cruel chains of limitation. The bird in
the air is free to fly from the North to the South, from the East to the West,
and may build its nest, and fulfil its little life, and sing its song in all parts
of the world. Nothing but climate hampers its freedom. The creative artist
will and must have the same liberty. His voice, if appealing and inspiring,
belongs to the whole world. The colour and form he can give, if animating
and uplifting, are eagerly sought for and prized by all mankind. More and
more, as the world's population increases and spreads, the true artist must
include and uplift the whole human race by strong ideals. His conceptions
must be based on the great human needs that are common to all, and thus
his task becomes more elevating and broader in its scope.
The creation of ideals and the truthful portrayal of grand aspirations
and searchings after nobler things constitute mans highest mission. Art and
science together search for truths which elevate and animate life. The aim
of each, though theoretically different, is practically the same; they both strive
to create. The scientist, in controlling hidden energies, producing motor
power, destroying disease, generating light, and endeavouring to reveal the
unseen universe, raises man upon a securer plane of existence, and enables
him to interpret divine truth more logically and comprehensively. The artist
by seeking a higher presentment of beauty and form, creates emblems of all
human activities; with delicate lines and majestic grandeur he blends the
material and the divine in a symbol of animated purity; and by composing
symphonies that uplift the soul through the magic of their rhythm, unites the
sympathies of humanity into an ideal undying harmony.
Therefore it seems needless to go into philosophical detail in order to
explain the priceless value of works of art in relation to human progress, or
to dwell upon their technical or moral worth. Yet it may be said that all
true works of art, as well as all great achievements in science, are, by virtue
of their excellence and their power of appeal, becoming international property.
The former besides their actual technical and aesthetic qualities, represent the
history of man's evolution. His ideals and religion, his social ambitions and
culture at different epochs can all be clearly traced by means of the leading
art productions of the time, — productions which are now of inestimable
historic value. Notwithstanding the fact that most nations have their own
art centre and national gallery, as well as schools, the creation of an interna-
tional centre would meet an ever increasing need : that of collecting the best
works of art in a common permanent centre, whence after being duly accepted
the masterpieces might be distributed, in order to secure the advancement
of art along grander and broader lines.
International exhibitions prove how rapidly the art of all nations may
be collected and diffused again throughout the world. They have already
gone far towards uniting the artist and the art of one nation with those of