The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-03-13

I Mr. . 81
'sMedlsh Artists lset Sure VT Tint
thy Care ia Exhibit Ii 81. slsouiss|
ExpositioSs. s5 II ~ Il Nh

,sWsdlsh Artists Not Sure xst 'rbat,
y THY Care ta EXHIBIT Il eli. slsOuis;
Exp0sition. /!
When the Swedish artists were
called together to discuss the question
or exhlbi ting at the Louisiana Pur-
chase exposition In st. Louis Id 1904
an unexpected and in q measure mex
plicable opposition was disclosed.
About fifty artists were present. Count
s'Wachme ister, president Of the acad-
envy, acting as chairman. Al d
s Prof. Cederstrom opened the meet
ing by statement regarding the pur-
pose for which 1t was called, but with
out expressing his views. The sehti-i
ments Of the Artists appears to have,
been expressed in letter written by
Prof. G. Won Rosen, who was prevent
ed from being present in person
While admitting in q general way that
artists should exhibit as often as pos
sible on the continent Of Europe, he
dissuaded them from participation in
the. st. Louis exposition, the benefits
from which would be very slight. Il
would be a decided loss, he said, to tie.
up their works for several months in
country in which the Judgment re-.
garding the exhibits was of a relative
ly inferior Importance. Especially
would it be true while there were ex-
htbttions in Europe at which there
would be greater benefit in being rep
resented.
Karl Nordstrom remarked that he
could see no reason why there should
be less profit in exhibiting at ST. Louis
than In Europe. There was in Amer
lea considerable interest in art, and
on former occasions it had been shown
that Swedish art had been much en-
couraged there. At the same time, it
was proper to discuss the necessity of
exhibiting at all large expositions.
These are being held every year. In
the group Of artists of which he was a
member there had grown up a tend
ency to refrain from exhibiting at all
possible expositions. Should they par
ticipate, the possible benefits wolfld
be clearly and decidedly revealed.
Dr. Bell, an American who was pres
ent, called attention to the fact that
art works invariably received higher
prices in America than in Europe. and
the opportunities for disposing of them
were better.
Mr.. Nordstrom was quite willing to
concede this, but this was secondary
to the aesthetic interest He had not
great confidence in similar expositions.
Nevertheless he willingly admitted
that the worlds fair managers had
shown themselves to be greatly in
terested and accommodating relative
to Swedish art display.
Prof. Oscar Bjork suggested that a
great deal depended on the government.
Unless proper appropriation was
made 1T would be unnecessary to en-
gage in any preliminary work. A con-
siderable sum of money was necessary
at least 10000 kroner. Several
speakers thought It was useless to
discuss ways and means until it was
quite clear that there should be an art
exhibit from Sweden. The various
groups, it was said, should discuss the
question at length, and then, after the
sentiment had been ascertained there
could bela united movement. Count
Wachtmeister reminded those present
that there should be no delay, for
there was need of deciding the uues-
ton very soon.
Before adjournment DR.. Bell spoke
on some length on the preparations at
the coming exposition. The art pal.
ace was to be $50 feet long and splen.
didly situated. His remarks did NOT
appear to make much impression.