The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1920-12-03
ART COMBINES !,
WITH COMMERCE
BRITISH MANUFACTURERS EN-.
! LIST ARTISTS SERVICES
= TO MAKE THEIR PRO.
DUCTS ATTRACTIVE &.
OLD TRADITION ABANDONED.
Real Artists Are Becoming More
Practical In The Face OF The
Financial Ravages Of H. c. L.

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are said 20 be keenly appreciative
OF the necessity of better and more
artistic designs for their goods and
to be seeking the greater co-opera-
ton of artists. A movement is I'M
der way TO bring art and commerce
into closer relations, and it is re-
ported that the response of museums
and organizations of artists has been
cordial.
IL this is true and there seems
no reason whatever TO question the
accuracy OF the report-it shows an
altogether new spirit on the part OF
artists. Hitherto their traditional at
titude toward commerce has been OF
aloofness. To call an artist "com-
mercial" has been a mortal insult.
OF course, artistry in modern indus
try is recognized commonplace, and
there are thousands of commercial
artists" whose work is a mighty
factor in business. But artist" is a
much inclusive word, and there is an
implicit distinction between those
who practice "art for arts sake" by
painting pictures solely for the sgra-
tihcation Of the eye and those who
design picturesque advertising, ging-
ham, patterns, bottle labels, bed
spreads, garment fabrics and new
automobile bodies. In short, about
Art with capital A there is an i'm
piled sanctity, and there has been an
unwritten law that it should not be
profaned by too close contact with
commerce. Those who employ their
talent TO boost or beautify the or
binary utilities of life are regarded
by artists" as on a lower plane, as
no more than mere craftsmen" at
the best.
Art will brook no rivals and will
tolerate the presence of no substi-
tutes or near-limitations. When an
artist is considered to have abandon
ed the divine torch by seeking
livelihood making pictures for mag
azines, he is longer esteemed as
an artist" for it is held that he has
become an illustrator" and he is
so designated. For his own delight
he may still paint pictures that COM
mand approval, but his work as an
illustrator, except in rare instances,
is not recognized as real art.
If this distinction arises in the
a much more emphatic distinction IN
the case OF about all lines of artistic
endeavor that are strictly CONNER
cial. In fact, the word commerce"
is regarded by Art with adherence,
except as it may relate to the traf-
hc in Rembrandts, Corots and such.
1t is matter of reproach for an artist
TO become commercial" even i'll the
sense of painting pictures ito SELF
that is, pictures that are deliberately
calculated TO appeal to the popular
taste. In the aristocracy of Art it
seems TO be assumed that the high
est expression of art is that which
very few people like. An artist who
persistently paints pictures that no
body wants is likely to be regarded
by his fellows with great admiration
as a follower of High Ideals. And
yet it is a strange fact that the
greatest artists of all ages have been
those whose ideals seem TO have
coincident TO remarkable degree
with the tastes of the crowd.
Of course, commercial artists" are
and will continue to be cooperating
with commerce to the full extent OF
their ability. 1t would not seem ne
cessary TO stimulate their ambition
in any way. Obviously, this British
movement for a closer union between
Art and Commerce has to do with
artists-those whom for the sake OF
distinction we may call "real ar
lists" In view of their reported en-
thusiasm over the project perhaps it
may be concluded that artists are
becoming more practical. The II.
c. of L. has been sweepingly educat-
i've, and the c. of H. L. has also
sharpened the appreciation of prac-
tical considerations. Even artists like
to drive their own motor-cars, and
a steady job as designer Tor man
ufacturer may supply the gasoline
rather more Celiably than picture
painting for an uncertain public.
Still, it is to be hoped that artists
will not turn TO this new co-opera-
ton with commerce with too much
zest and in too great numbers. The
world will continue to want pictures.
The movement affords needed OPP
portunity for a weeding-out process
in the fields of art. Many good
sign-painter has been lost TO the
world because of the curious deter
mination to pursue Art at all haz-
ards. If the bars are let down by
this new enlightenment society is
bound to gain many capable sign
painters and Bingham designers.
That is one attractive feature
really the only one reported-about
tie Russian Soviet Government. 1t
is attempting to encourage Art by a
process of restraint and elimination.
AS the conditions have been report
ed, there is a Comrnissary OF Pop
ular Enlightenment in Russia, one OF
the branches of which is the Bureau
of the Prolet-Kul, which controls art
and education. AS We understand
the principle of the system, artists
are compelled by the Bolsheviki TO
prove that they are artists. If they
succeed they are duly licensed by
the Government, but otherwise they
are forced into some other line of
activity. If they are good enough
they may become sign-painters, but
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