The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-30
Local Art.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
The art education of community in all
time has been largely Influenced by the
work OF the local artists. This is true not
alone of painting, but of music, sculpture,
architecture and literature. AS to the latter
art is it not true that but for Mr.. Riley
there are those in this community who
would not be interested in poetry or any
branch of literary art? The cult, the
friendship which association with artists
and their local product brings is exceedingly
valuable and is greatly enhanced by the en-
thusiasm which is developed generally ~
local pride. One is better prepared to I'M
derstand the art of other people when he
sees artistic form or expression given to
material and things which Immediately sur
round him. Could the French be the ar
tistic nation which we find them through
the art of Germany? Could the Dutch pro-
duce the work In painting and ceramics
through the channels of the French mind?
Has Wagner made great musicians of the
French people? He has inspired them but
very rarely; indeed he has not led them
to musical expression which has taken
root in and emanated from the traditions
and life of France.
An idea of this kind can be carried to an
extreme. But, broadly speaking, it is true.
We are naturally influenced by everything
which comes to US Our art Is our life.
Housemoving is not architecture. The
Vanderbilts buy the interior of a chateau
Malmaison and bring it to New York. Is
that art? Is it American architecture? Or
is 1t mere transportation?
In self-interest, in the interest of Indian
apolis, we must patronize and encourage
our own artists An artist lives as much on
the encourage cement, kindly feeling and in
terest shown in his work by his own citizens
as he boes by bread. Otherwise he would
not be an artist.
Take the instance of the splendid per-
Torrance by the Symphony Orchestra on
Monday night. This is. q local organiza-
former years? Is it produced because some
one expects to make money out of 1t to get
bread. 1t exists in spite of loss. 1t exists
because of the artistic enthusiasm of few
people, and 1t exists despite the fact that
its leader has poured money into 1t without
stint, without regret, without hope of get
ting it back To that extent those engaged
in this work musical patriots They are
artists in fact or artists by appreciation:
There was a false note in the formation of
the programme of Monday evenings enter
tainment. Here is an organization which
should be encouraged: 1t asks for It,. 1T
asks for appreciation in its efforts. 1t mas
no desire ever to become a money-making
organization. Yet it fails TO encourage the
musicians in its own community 1t brings
a piano soloist from the outside whose work
on Monday evening was certainly not up
to the mark of our local artists. If the
symphony Orchestra is anything It Is local;
and stands for the encouragement of local
art. Why should it discourage local art?
1t might have made selections from our
vocalists who are not inferior or from
other instrumental performers. We wish
artists from all over the world to come TO
us but 1t is not fitting they should come
through this organization, which stands for
local art and wishes to encourage local
artists All" says one, I'VE thought our
soloist would draw: he has reputation.
Is that the spirit of a local organization
which seeks local support? ] think not.
1t is certainly remarkable that within the
same week we should have two such eX-
hibitions of local art as comes through the
Symphony Orchestra and that of William
Fofsyth's exhibition of pictures at IieberS.
The spirit which relates to each IS, or
should be, the same. Mr.. Forsyth especially
Localities his work through the subjects
treated as well as through the method of
his own individuality. Here is work that
belongs TO us il is of our time and our
life No one who knows no artist, will call
into question the character OF this artists
technique He stands I'm the front rank of
of this community to encourage such an
artist. That ia what he lives by. Pictures
like these on the walls of our homes are
like books that are always open, like SYM
phonies which are always expressing them
selves to us Work like this is something
for men and women and children to live
with and grow up to. 1t is a part or nature
herself-the Interpretation of nature by one
who loves II and understands it, This work
stands out as a great teacher. We should
take 1t to ourselves LOUIS Fl. GIBSON.
Indianapolis Nov. 90