Evening star., 1935-06-09

CULIURAb unueItdhHk VI Nast
n significance will be launched
II this Summer, when the pre-
4 \ liminary part Of the Arts and
Craft Exhibit of the Three
Americas opens at Mexico City. con-
currently with the August convention
Of the Progressive Education Associa-
ton
Sponsored by a group of prominent
intellectual leaders, the plan for q
cultural exhibit of the Americas has
been in preparation for several
months. Eventually, it will include q
number OF phases. the range in time
reaching from the most ancient ex-
amples Of early sculpture, frescOes and
ceremonial implements Of the indig-
enous cultures to the most recent in
stances of racial and national express
sion.
In aiming to give dynamic picture
of the cultural evolution OF the Amer
icas, a major portion Of the exhibi-
tion would naturally deal. as the an
nouncement Of the plan indicates,
with the cycle Of Indian culture as 1t
has and does manifest itself from
Alaska, through the United States and
down to Central and South America.
Similarly, the past and present aspects
of Negro art would be shown first In
their purest racial essence, and then
in their mingling and impacts with the
Indian and white races. And, thirdly,
there would be presented the most sig
nificant expressions Of the conquering
white races, the Spanish influx to
South and Central America, and the
outstanding contacts of the white colo
nizers in North America.
Exhibit Director Sails.
For the time being, however, the
directors OF the plan are concentrat-
ing on the setting up Of a preliminary
exhibit of modern arts and crafts,
which can be developed more easily
than the ancient historical material.
It is thb preliminary exhibit. con-
fined to the United States. Mexico and
Central America, that they hope to
have ready next August at the Mex
ican capital. To make the necessary
arrangements for this first attempt,
and also to establish contacts and Or
ganize cooperating committees in the
various countries for the larger plan,
Miss Margaret Naumburg, director OF
the exhibit, has sailed for Mexico and
Central America.
While in Washington, contracting
the diplomatic representatives Of the
Latin American countries she Is to
visit, Miss Naumburg explained briefly
the aims of the cultural project she is
endeavoring to carry out. "The set
ting up of an arts and crafts exhibi-
tion of the three Americas" she
stated, may be regarded as the best
Introductory step to bringing the
races and nations of the two conti-
nents into deeper sympathy and use
full understanding. It's primary pur-
pose is to draw together culturally all
the countries Of South and Central
America with Canada and the United
States. Arts and crafts are selected
as the focal point for bringing about
the first steps in a truer understand
ing, because it does not challenge
either political, religious or national
opinions. 1t touches rather on the
creative core of all living peoples, of
all climes and races, Of yesterday, to-
day and tomorrow. We have at least
arrived at such a vantage point in our
present civilization that we can agree
on the importance to all countries of
encouraging the creative urge of man,
as expressed in the arts. It is wise,
therefore. to begin here to increase
the mutual appreciation, sympathy
and tolerance between race ard race.