THE ARTIST. It would take too much time. And thank God for that! For good taste is simply a polite pretense by which we cover up our lack of that real sense of beauty which comes only from intimate acquaintance with creative processes. The most cultivated people in the world cannot produce beauty by merely having notions about it. But the most uncultivated people in the world cannot help producing beauty if only they have time to dream as they work--if only they have freedom to let their work become something besides utilitarian.
THE QUESTIONER. You think, then, that education should not concern itself with good taste, but rather with creative effort?
THE QUESTIONER. You say that children are artists already?
THE ARTIST. And that artists are children.
THE QUESTIONER. Then the task of education in respect to them would seem to be easy!
THE ARTIST. No--on the contrary, infinitely hard!
The Artist. I have said that children are artists and that artists are children. The task of education is to help them to _grow up_.
THE ARTIST. And tremendous ones! But if I am to discuss them, you must keep still for a while and let me talk in my own fashion.
--Very well, ladies and gentlemen. Shall we adjourn for lunch, and when we reassemble here give the Artist the platform for half an hour? What is the sentiment of the meeting? The Ayes have it.
Without any further delay, the Artist shall now address you.--Please take the platform, sir!
“My friends! We are gathered here today to consider how to implant in the youthful and innocent minds which are entrusted to our care the beneficent and holy influences of that transcendent miracle which we know as Art. Sacred and mysterious subject that it is, we approach it with bated--”
Wait! wait! There is some mistake here, I am sure. Just a moment!--
“We approach with bated breath these austere and sacred--”
Usher, will you please throw this fellow out! He is not the man we were listening to this morning--he is a rank impostor, who has disguised himself as an artist in order to befuddle our deliberations with mystagogical cant. If you will pull off that false beard, I think you will find that he is a well-known Chautauqua lecturer.... Aha, I thought so!--Shame on you! And now get out of here as quickly as you can!--Ah, there comes the real Artist--late, as usual. What have you to say for yourself?