A • UNITED ARTS SOCIETY
'[To the Editoi of THE Si2ciiCat:]
Sni,—During the period of my association with the Camaro Ballet Society-from its 'inception until the achievement of its artistic, zenith—it was, frequently borne, in upon me that in England artists and art-lovers of the various }dada do'not associate with each other unless driven to, do so by some particidar profeSsional consideration, and that voluntary or spontaneous intereoiuse:,betiveen, say, musicians, painteis and dancers, is, rare enough to 'lie conspicuous when it does actually occur: In this.country artists dwell Within -groups constituted by indiViduals who practise the same art. . In certain other landS, in.which this kind of Segregation dins not prevail, "artistic results in the* domain of such Compre- hensive arts as opera and ballet are on`a considerablY higher levet and fOr reasons that should he alfOgether ObVious. If a music-drama of either kind is decorated by a gifted "painte:r and the singers or dancers, as the case May be, who participate in' the' production are not accessible to the aesthetic appeal of the' scenic Or costume design, the artistic 'success of the en- - seinble must' necessarily be, handicapped. Similarly, if a painter is"aske& tO undertake designs and is 'incapable of an adequate appreciatiOn of the music which is provided for his inspiration, the result will inevitably leave much to be desired.
Illtistration of this hick 'in our artistic life need not by any means be confined to the eiamples mentioned. It is generally conceded that in the film world there has been nothing as yet to approach the degree of artistic perfection evinced in the achievement of the now world-famous Walt Disney. In that instance, it is clear, we have an individual who must have profited immensely by asioeiatiOri with artists of all kinds, for he manifestly Combines in his artistic make-up the appre- ciation of music, design, colour, movement and filnieraft, and such appreciation 'ha's served to produce an artistic whole which is generally- admitted to be beyond criticism. Apply, then, an equipMent of this high order to the production of opera or of ballet and,,the resultant success would surely sur-
pass that of a preceding effort. - '
It seems safe to assume that a great (I* can be accom-
plished in this direction by the promotion ofa requisite artistic intercourse -between artists' and art-lovers of one kind and another. How is the necessary association between such artists to be promoted ?
.It -has seemed to a number of art-kivers who have for some time been in conference on the subject, that a step towards such national artistic betterment could be brought about by a Society which would exist tolftirther this aim, and which would frame a season's programme devised for the single purpose Of. enticing artists . and amateurs of one kind into the company of those of another. It is surely, not idle to hope ,that by such means as this mostof , the painters, sculptors, writers, musicians, antors, dancers— and film-craftsmen who represent art in England would become,in the proverbial sense, " fuller " artists, and that the degree of their artistic achievement would be immeasurably enhanced. The United Arts Society, now being formed, will adopt this aim, and it is earnestly hoped that everyone who professes any interest in the art of thiS country will afford to the Society their wholehearted support.—I a m, Sit; &c.,
M. MONTAOLT-NATIIAN.
Previous page
