Studio: international art (84.1922)

STUDIO-TALK

Morosov Palace, where I had opportunities Anyone who wishes to study the applica-

of inspecting some really amazing examples tion of these principles to art must go to

of Proletcult art work. a a a the theatre, for the theatre has not only

The "proletcult" problem may be undergone a steady development ever since

stated as follows. The present Russian 1918 as a proletarian institution, but it has

population—a working-class and peasant acted like a plough. It has worked over the

population—contains the raw material of a social surface and brought to light from

new Intelligentsia. The pre-revolution the proletarian soil a large number of

Intelligentsia have disappeared. How can " inspired workers," who are both vision-

this raw material be turned into the finished aries and technicians and have a special

product i The supporters of the new skill in bringing the masses on the stage

regime answer, by education, and by giving where " personalities " have in their

the masses the control of the cultural insti- opinion been too long. a a a

tutions, the Theatre, the Art Galleries, The " Proletcult " movement in the

Museums, Libraries, and so on. Accord- Theatre has destroyed a whole period of

ingly a system of State education has been theatrical activity by cutting out the period

built up aiming to set the working-class between the Italian Commedia dell' Arte

population dreaming of a Communist and the beginning of the War. Plays are

Russia definitely revolutionary in thought now handled as scenarios, in which form

and action, and in all forms of expression, they are handed to the players by the

but peopled by art-craftsmen. Perhaps the director. Gaps are left to be filled in by the

most original point of this system, especially audience, who are thus invited to take part

as it concerns art, is its strong insistence in the action. The general motive of such

upon the value of improvisation united plays is the recasting of Russia in new

with co-operation. It also insists strongly moulds and the destruction of the old ones,

upon the union of art and life. a 0 This motive has served to sweep away

RAG PUPPETS MADE BY PEASANT
CHILDREN IN THE FAMINE DISTRICT
OF RUSSIA, REPRESENTING SATIRICAL
CHARACTERS IN GOGOL'S PLAYS

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