DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69711#0091
V
WHAT IS MODERN ART?
AS WE have seen, we are realizing more and more
that we are entering a new era, and naturally
those most sensitive to the coming influences
must, in the very nature of things, express them-
selves differently from the past. Some minds are more sen-
sitive to the vibration of a new era than others. These are
the ones which give expression to the things which are to
come, whether it be in art, politics or science. It is there-
fore a great mistake not to open our doors wide to the men
who have seen the vision, and listen to what they have to
say-
It is only natural that the modern artist with his inhe-
rent love of the dynamic force, with his understanding of the
powers of electricity, of the brilliant metal surface of a
dynamo, the beauty to be felt in an engine room with its
powerful steel engines and glossy surface, has little in com-
mon with the art which tries to repeat the past. The mod-
ern artist is abundant with life and he must express life as
he sees it today. That his vision is a disturbing element
to others is no concern of his. His desire is not to seek
fame, but to express himself. He must express himself or
burn up, for the living flame is within him. And it is only
the living flame which carries the torch of art the ages down.
As no candle is lessened by lighting another candle, so no
true art is lessened by a new art springing up. It is the
continuation of art, not the destruction of art. Art is only
destroyed by the imitators, never by the men of vision.
As every nation has its own inherent force which makes
it different from every other nation, so this new expression
73
WHAT IS MODERN ART?
AS WE have seen, we are realizing more and more
that we are entering a new era, and naturally
those most sensitive to the coming influences
must, in the very nature of things, express them-
selves differently from the past. Some minds are more sen-
sitive to the vibration of a new era than others. These are
the ones which give expression to the things which are to
come, whether it be in art, politics or science. It is there-
fore a great mistake not to open our doors wide to the men
who have seen the vision, and listen to what they have to
say-
It is only natural that the modern artist with his inhe-
rent love of the dynamic force, with his understanding of the
powers of electricity, of the brilliant metal surface of a
dynamo, the beauty to be felt in an engine room with its
powerful steel engines and glossy surface, has little in com-
mon with the art which tries to repeat the past. The mod-
ern artist is abundant with life and he must express life as
he sees it today. That his vision is a disturbing element
to others is no concern of his. His desire is not to seek
fame, but to express himself. He must express himself or
burn up, for the living flame is within him. And it is only
the living flame which carries the torch of art the ages down.
As no candle is lessened by lighting another candle, so no
true art is lessened by a new art springing up. It is the
continuation of art, not the destruction of art. Art is only
destroyed by the imitators, never by the men of vision.
As every nation has its own inherent force which makes
it different from every other nation, so this new expression
73