Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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ART IN SGUTH AMERICA By MARJORIE LUGENBEEL 4 4, SI-IE necessity for closer cooperation between the Americas has stimu- ing between peoples can be achieved, however, on this basis alone. A knowledge of the art and general culture of South American countries is just as important to a full appreciation as is any other phase of civilized life. It is true that the civilizations of the two nations are essentially different: but as modern methods and materials are adopted, the two Americas and their arts are brought closer together. lated the interest of citizens of the United States in the political li ..,' lj and commercial life of South America. No true understand- No one who visits Peru fails to sense the greatness of its past. Though we have no written record of its history, we know that the empire of the Inca Indians was one of the most perfect governments ever established in the world. Their caste system seems strange to us, but it was accepted by them as a natural order. And though this system discouraged among artists the strong individual- ism that is shown in other countries, the culture was enriched by the early inhabitants who drifted into this region from different parts of South America, bringing with them their well-developed arts. The Indians had already generally developed the arts of spinning, weaving, and pottery making. The designs woven into the Peruvian fabrics were con- ventional and largely geometric. Many of the textiles are today rated as the world's best artistically: they are frequently being copied in modern art. Archaeologists have unearthed pottery which shows great skill in work- manship, and beautiful temples which the Indians built to the Sun God. The Inca city of Machu Puchu, rich with palaces, temples, fountains, and terraces, rests upon the crest of a mountain which rises high above a valley. The work shows not only great engineering ability but also astonishing skill in cutting stone. The stones are so closely fitted one can hardly slip a knife blade between them. This architecture is the expression of a people who were governed by a deep feeling for God. Another influence in South American art is that of Spain. This can be found in the street, the old houses, and in the cathedrals. The Spanish con- quest of Peru by Pizarro in 1532 brought about the gradual downfall of the Indian. The Spaniards forced the Indian culture into the background while their own was encouraged. The Indians were enslaved and were very slow to grasp the new culture of the Spanish. Thus two distinct classes were created, one of which was never to arise and throw off the yoke of a conquered people. Today the ancestors of the first Sun Worshippers dress in their brilliant costumes and perform the ancient rituals of their dance. The haunting music that accompanies these dances has a strange quality that is buried in the past. Contemporary South American artists seem to be very busy, vigorous, and eager to learn. This trait is shown especially among the writers, painters, educators, and musicians. The arts are being given an important part of the program in the schools. There are several organizations designed to assist young artists. Amigos del Arte CFriends of Artj has an exhibition gallery open to the young artist who wishes guidance and help along these lines. Alice Blackwell's Some Spanish American Poets shows the direction of their literature. The emperor of Brazil, Don Padro II., did much to encourage the artistic traits of his people. Many promising young men and women as well as the Twenty-seven

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In comparing foreign investments in South America, we find that the United States has the largest amounts. In 1936 a graph showed that the United States controlled thirty-five per cent of Latin American imports. The United Kingdom had about ten per cent, while Germany had fifteen per cent. The rest was divided among smaller countries. According to a discussion of the Chicago Round Table, however, the trade between the United States and Latin America is more important to South America than to us because it makes up forty per cent of her trade as compared to only eighteen per cent of ours. It is, however, very important to us. Latin America produces but few outstanding products which are in demand. The fact that each Latin American country produces a small amount of raw materials, changes and regulates its type of trade. Latin Americans are always looking for countries who need raw materials, and this tends to discourage the idea of Pan-American self-sufficiency. It has been said that we can produce a greater supply of manufactured goods than Latin America can pay for by reciprocity, as we do not need raw materials in such quantities. In l937 Latin American trade with European countries amounted to about fourteen per cent of their total trade. Along with this foreign trade have come many evils. Barter agreements are made with foreign countries. A bartering country buys or orders a large amount of materials, and when South American countries try to reciprocate, they either can't get what they want or the price is extremely high. In other words the bartering country is not able to pay for what is ordered. Our country does not make barter agreements. There is little trade with Asia, although it is believed that some day Japan might give the U. S. some competition in textiles because of Japan's cheap labor. It is believed that a Pan-American trading agency will be established to regulate the trade between the Americas. The new Vice-President of the United States, when he was Secretary of Agriculture, stated that as far as Hitler was concerned those countries who supported him would get the business: those who refused probably would find their export markets closed. Thus in this way Hitler might easily dominate both North and South America. ,He also stated, If the Americas, for example, could consolidate their sales of raw materials through one great inter-American corporation and sell for export only through that agency, they would be in as strong a bargaining position as Germany. The U. S. has a trade with South America amounting to a billion dollars annually. As a result of this second World War, South American surpluses are piling up, and there is a possibility of England's losing her trade with South America. Mr. Wallace stated that we must educate our people engaged in Agriculture to the fact that for a time our buying agricultural products from South America will lower their market, but we must establish a firm and constant trade with South America. Our greatest problem in obtaining this trade is to keep Germany out, at least to the extent of political upsets and disorders, by using trade agreement weapons. Mr. Spenser, also a member of the Chicago Round Table, says, Of course if worst comes to worst, and as a way of saving the Americas, it would be cheaper for America to buy the surpluses and dump them in the ocean. This idea may appear rather radical, but it seems advisable that we should make many serious sacrifices to save our democracy from the totalitarian tyrants. Twenty-six

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unskilled laborers are beginning to play a great and important part in the development of the cultural life of their nation. Heitor Villa-Lobos has been called the most significant twentieth century composer of both Americas. If the bigness of South America has prevented her from completely coordi- nating her creative life, the interesting racial mixtures have, to a certain extent, compensated her with a fascinating richness of color. The dominant national trait expressed in the people's contribution to South American art shows a deep concern in the interpretation of their own lands. The element of mystery seems to be a genuine characteristic, and this fact has often impressed the artists of other countries. From Louisiana and stretching across New Mexico and Arizona to Cali- fornia, there is a cultural background founded upon the influence of South America. To some extent the language, social institutions, customs, and archi- tecture in these states reflect this influence. At the same time in South America there is a trend to the modern in architecture, clothing, music, and techniques in painting, which reveals the influence of movements in the United States. Indeed the Americas have something to give each other. Each has some- thing of great value to contribute to developing a great Pan-American Art. . - 'Ei' .f: - ,,f5lfE33EfLQ , Q , .- , 1 Mk 55 ' V . ,. f,gg5 133 ff 1- 5' fc - , ,V if .W 1-Qgssfififtlllf - at x 'w s- , A' fw Wf'f' fe- -- 3 ' Lorcnc lV1lIiams Twenty-eight