– America’s Town Meeting – Does Modern Art Make Sense? – April 1, 1951 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
Does Modern Art Make Sense? A question that makes the rounds every decade or so. Art, like everything else creative, is always moving forward, pushing boundaries, making statements. Because it tends to be larger-than-life and in-your-face, it’s up for scrutiny and criticism more than other form – although Writing and certainly Music were up there in the 1950s.
This discussion program was about art of the brush-stroke. And opinions on where Modernism was heading were pretty deeply divided, if this microcosm of society was any bellwether of public reaction.
Taking part in this discussion is the noted artist Thomas Hart Benton, one of the celebrated “regionalist” painters who was also a vehement anti-modernist. Stuart Davis, who would go on to become known as The Father of Pop Art and a staunch Modernist. And Perry Rathbone, one of America’s leading Museum directors.
And the audience, who asked questions were very much of the “I know what I like” variety. while the artists themselves felt that Art was constantly evolving and whether it was good or not depended largely on the viewer. As Stuart Davis pointed out, there was no way to get around it though. Modern Art was imbedded in our Society and part of every aspect of American life; in Industrial design, Package design, the shape of your car, your house, your clothes and even the music you listen to. All reflected the ideas of Modern Art. Thomas Hart Benton pointed out that Modern Art was reflecting society, but he felt Society was in utter confusion. As for Modern Art being equated with Modern Thought, again Thomas Hart Benton pointed out that Modern thought, like modern society was in utter confusion and that it was, like so much else, busy dividing the world as it had never been divided before.
And so it went – and no doubt, it still does.
For a listen to how the debate went, have a listen to this episode of America’s Town Meeting for April 1, 1951.
