Evening star., 1941-02-16

and left are objects-bowls, q pipe,
articles of utility. In one of these
cases examples of old work in silver
are shown and In the other that
made under the inspiration Of
these old craftsmen by no less
gifted silversmiths of today.
This exhibition has overf1owed
from the hall into the art reading
room, where more paintings are to
be seen and also pottery and bas-
kets. There is much to delight the
eye as we'll as stir admiration.
White House Foreword.
In connection with the exhibition
in New York a book on the Indian
Art of the United States has taken
the place of catalogue, illustrating
many of the exhibits-some in color
and commenting upon them-a
book which in itself is a valuable
contribution to knowledge in this
field. The foreword to this book
was written by Mrs. Roosevelt from
the White House and is as follows:
AT this time, when America is
reviewing its cultural resources, this
book and the exhibit on which it is
based open up to us age-old sources
of ideas and forms that have never
been fully appreciated. In apprais-
ing the Indians past and present
achievements, We realize not only
that his heritage constitutes part of
the artistic and spiritual wealth of
this country, but also that the
Indian people of today have con-
tribution to make toward the
America of the future.
In dealing with Indian art o.
the United States We find that its
sources reach far beyond our bor-
ders, both to the north and to the
south. Hemisphere exchanges of
ideas is as old as man on this con-
tinent. Long before Columbus tribes
now settled in Arizona brought ira
ditions TO this country that were
formed in Alaska and Canada, In
dian traders from the foot of the
Rocky Mountains exchanged goods
and ideas with the great civiliza-
tions 1000 miles south of the Rio
Grande. Belated thought and forms
that are truly American are found
from the Andes to the Mississippi
Valley.
I'VE acknowledge here a cultural
debt not only to the Indians of the
United States but to the Indians
of both Americas"
In this connection mention should
be made of the collection of Indian
art long since assembled by the Ma
tional Museum and the series of
engaging and scholarly publications
on the several arts of the Indians
published by this same institution
Also attention should be drawn to
the murals painted by Indians of
today on or for the walls Of the
eighth floor recreation room and
the basement cafeteria in the In
terror Department, which are in the
best Indian tradition and at the
same time modern in style as we'll
as effective
VIC 1ldNC AliONti w II @IOlll
these present-day Indians and their
predecessors. Their conception of
art brings it into very close rela-
ton with life, and they recognize,
as many of other races do not, the
interdependence of artistic merit
and good workmanship. The tribal
arts of the Indians, Furthermore,
are all regional, but naturally so,
for as each tribe has its own char
acteristics so their expression as
we'll as conception differs Art after
all is precious flower, which must
grow naturally, without continuous
uprooting for contemplation of its
roots.
Rarely has a more engaging and
thought-provoking exhibition been
held here in Washington than this
Happily, it will continue through
March,