FREEDOM IN ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 7

FREEDOM IN ART.

MR. R. O. GROSS' VIEWS.

APPEAL FOR TOLERANCE.

"DON'T PLACE LIMITATIONS."

"When you employ an artist, you will employ him because you like what you have seen of his work; well then, don't spoil it by putting limitations to liis efforts. Give him the job to do, give him the commission and leave him free to carry it out ill his own way. Do not proceed to tell him what to do and how to do it." This exhortation was given to a crowded gathering of the Auckland Society of Arts to-day in a broadcast talk by Mr. R. O. Gross, whom the president, Mr. C. Reginald Ford, introduced as one of New Zealand's bestknown and deservedly appreciated artists in the great field of sculpture. Mr. Gross had been responsible for some most notable work.

"In viewing the general situation, one is struck by the fact that the world is made up of t\vo sections—art critics and artists, by far the greater number being critics, so that if I as an art worker join them and turn a critical eye on life, perhaps I may be forgiven, said Mr. Gross. He considered that the first business of the artist was to please himself, to do his work in such manner that he himself was happy in the result. Unless he did a job which he liked and enjoyed the result was not going to be satisfactory either to himself or anybody else. Again, there was much more chance of all concerned being pleased if the artist was left free and unfettered.

Sympathy and Tolerance. "What all artists need, ancients and modern alike, is sympathy and tolerancp, not only from the critical outside world, hut from one another," said Mr. Gross. "A little more understanding on the part of art critics wouid be helpful. Too often the obvious weakness is seized on and ridiculed, and, like the boy with the frog under the harrows, it may be fun for the critic to send his barbed shafts, but for the artist possibly death, or worse."

Could life be imagined divested of all art effort? asked Mr. Gross. Civilisation and art—what was the difference? It should be the privilege, as well as the duty, of artists consciously to contribute to the happiness, the physical and spiritual well-being of the community. The providing of beauty was the first purpose of art. To build a happy world an attempt must be made to improve the health of the community. The virile world was increasingly appreciating this, and in some countries sculptors had been commissioned to set up ideal sculptures in their stadiums and, indeed, in any place where people congregated. "And, tell it not in Gatli, many of these figures are nude," added Mr. Gross. "Be sure that nothing will get rid of that inferiority complex as quickly as a feeling of personal well-being," continued Mr. Gross. "Are we to leave it to demagogues to exploit these possibilities? I would like to see our own people as eager and anxious to achieve physical perfection. We are to have more leisure in the future, and though there may be doubts as to just how we can adjust ourselves to changed conditions, there can be none as to the need and advantage of being ready with'' some scheme to turn this extended leisure period to the best use. Unless some direction can be given to our young people particularly the results may be most unhappy.

. . . We shall be guilty of a crime if we do not immediately take steps to ensure that the extra leisure shall be spent profitably." He urged the establishment of gymnasia and handcraft schools and the extension of adult education. _ " Different Morality." "I cannot too strongly stress the need to get rid of the idea that art galleries are tilings apart from practical life and that when we do visit them, whether here or abroad, it is something of a venture to do so, requiring a different mentality and — dare I whisper it? — a different morality," Mr. Gross said. "Art, to be a living thing, must be part of our everyday life, not some delicate exotic growth, to be talked of behind closed doors and something to be ashamed of. As far as we can, and as soon as we may, let us give our friends in the country a chance to see and help them to understand works of art." He suggested also the furthering of co-operation between artist and manufacturer.

"Though I neither desire to, nor am I capable of, invading the province of ministers of religion," said Mr. Gross, "I believe there is no better way of serving God or man than by increasing the amount of beauty and making it manifest, a service which I think merits the whole-hearted encouragement and co-operation of all."

Mr. Gross has executed many notable works of sculpture, the most recent being the figures which surmount the presentation gateway to the Auckland Domain at the entrance from Park Road.