The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-02-19
No, 5. SINCERITY AS A HIGH ART
By Walter A. Dyer

am inclined to think that the average ayman who does
not profess to think in terms Of erudte criticism may occasion
ally be somewhat puzzled by the of the word sincerity
applied to art and letters this painting spoken
as FINISHED but lacking in sincerity of that poem "cude
y fashioned but ringing with the note of genuineness Sin
certy IN this limited use Of the term is that quality in art
which distinguishes the straightforward expression of real
mque to produce artificial effect 1t be best compre
hended if inquire somewhat into the significance Of the
Truth stands at the basis of civilization and social
fabric not always in evidence. We have become
toned to commercial and diplomatic dishonesty. For cen
uries have lied cheated and borne false witness Cen
ue Jew and Jap have waged merry competition in the gen
tie art Of deception And yet for all of that have
lost 1ah IN the fundamental soundness Of truth Our docep
ons have been effective only because of the general conf
dence Christianity built upon TRUTH civilization and COM
merce are based essential integrity Were not for
manknd inherent devotion to the principles Of honesty there
could be credit, dealings between and
comfy between nations would be possible; possessions
would be secure beyond the reach of their owners
no could be trusted with anything Follow the suggestion
out to its ultimate conclusion and you have the negaon of all
Honesty candor Sncerty-they stand at the very ubOunda
tons of this human structure That truth in the abstract
From consideration Of this thought my mind has fol-
lowed trend into intimate and particular matters 1t
to me- it is arcay versus sincerity Artifici9ijfy is the
refinement of wtruh Clever arfice nsidous than
nearly every kind of human activity or nterest-n moral
character in business in manners in dress in art For
cer is as fundamental need of good literature and good art
i as Of good preaching and good fellowship
The true of all forms of art There is a sincerity,
honest conviction of sort expressed in every truly
great poem painting sculpture or piece of music which we
recognize though may be unable explain it, For sin
cery speaks language that appeals directly to the heart
and soul and sometimes passes the understandings The rea-
why many movements rise poradcaly only to de-
cline and die is that they not based any genuine conc
ton thev lack the true and essential element of sincerity
a Architecture Of the arts Home building garden
arts wherein we NAV we'll look for these same elements of
sincerity arficiaty Mere novelty likely to be arti
ca The Renaissance the other hand a period of
artistic Inspiration and expansion based on genuine convc
ton al the creative impulse Sincerity was the ruling motive
in the Wives and work of such architects and craftsmen
lingo Jones' Sir Christopher Wren, Josiah Wedgwood Thomas
Sheraton.
Sincerity indeed is almost synonym for craftsmanship
in the higher meaning Of that word For the spirit of true
thing nearly perfect be made whatever may be
the expenditure of time thought and labor and whatever may
"To draw the thing as he sees it.
For the god of things as they are'
True craftsmanship is the spirit of honesty wrought in real
materials
In the designing and building the decoration and furnish
ing of homes public edces sincerity should be the
broached the subject of building that the word sincere may
have been derived from phrase connected with the builders
trade The eymoogists do appear to be fully agreed
and may refer to the absolute cleanliness and purity
Of wine from which the last vestge of the sealing
nave Oeen removed or 1t may refer to the sculpture stone
carving terra Gotta ornament upon which has been
employed remedy mistake the damage caused
) by the tool of careless workman.
like the latter Interpretation better 1t calls up vision
of those craftsmen and builders Of earlier day with their
sturdy ideals Of honesty and professionalism sincerity.
'In the elder days of art
a Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part,
S For the gods everywhere"
The sincere builder and architect all fakes, all
showy makeshfts all limitations of something worthy
With him the thing shall be just what pretends to be- moth
- ing more and nothing less
But sincerity in building not to be confined merely
honesty of construction. There suber thing than that to
be taken into consideratonan honesty of effort sincerity
of design The design the decoration should express
thing than passing fashion 1t should be the inter
probation of underlying thought should possess
Significance, some artistic meaning it should express some
thing of the character and individuality of those who nhab
it. Otherwise it expresses nothing or the wrong thing;
Copyright Noble Foster IIoggon)