AMERICA AND ART

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 1, 23 March 1927, Page 19

AMERICA AND ART

EVOLUTION IN TASTE | Edgar Allan Poe, the American literary genius, had a poor opinion of the art and literature of his native land. He went so far even as to describe American literature as a great perambulating humbug, and others since have been just as critical of the art of that country. But, judging from what Mile. Cecil Sorel (the famous French actress) said when she returned to Paris, a new day is dawning. “How New York has changed in the three years since I was last there! ” she exclaimed. “And let me say right now that it is entirely wrong to think Americans do not appreciate the best in art. I played some of our finest French plays—‘Maitresse du Roi’ and •La Lame " aux Camelias’—and they loved them.” Mile. Sorel was radiantly happy over the triumphs of her American visit. France’s unofficial ambassador was eager to discuss -what she called American theatrical taste. “Public taste in America has certainly evolved since the days when Mounet-Sully played great tragedies before empty seats,” she said. “The Americans are people of action with a strong desire to dream. They repose like an infant after the efforts of a Titan and desire only pieces which have rhythm with their own lives. Movement —that is what they want. The cinema has done much to cultivate this, but American existence is movement, movement, movement, and art must naturally respond to the tempo of the people.” Mile. Sorel praised New York art sales and brought with her several pieces of Italian Renaissance furniture which, as she explained, have now returned to the continent of their birth.