aspects of the important role that art has played in the life of
mankind.

When a proper perspective has been reached it becomes in-
deed very strange that art should be so inadequately evaluated.
But again this may be easily explained in a somewhat different
manner. In addition to lack of opportunity for contact, condi-
tions present in modern social organization have worked
against understanding. The complexity and fast tempo of
modern civilization have, in fact, tended to prevent an under-
standing of art. Preoccupation with insistent and seemingly
unending demands in earning a living and providing primary
comforts has crowded out nearly all avenues of contact with
art, leaving many without much hope of ever comprehending
it. In that dilemma the usual outcome has been a separation
of the two--a regarding of art as a mysterious and esoteric
experience to be indulged in when occasion afforded. Visiting
an art gallery, attending a lecture, witnessing a drama, or
auditing a recital have come to be infrequent, almost awesome
experiences associated vaguely with the 'nobler' aspirations.
The more the separation has become manifest, the more diffi-
cult it has become for the individual to obtain a proper
perspective. Dealers in art objects have probably not contrib-
uted greatly in efforts to dispel the atmosphere of mystery.
Even those who work directly with art have been at times con-
fused, inadequately comprehending its past and feeling un-
certain regarding its present and future.

Looking back over the long perspective of human develop-
ment the present-day attitude seems altogether unnecessary--
indeed, unfortunate!

Art in its broad sense did not appear suddenly in the world.
Art emerged with man. ¹ It served him in ways that are as yet
but dimly perceived.

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