MAKES BO IN ART WORLD
It is not known whether Marshal Tito ever made a serious wieby of art, tried putting ci). to canvas or even whitewashed a wall. Nevertheless, he has now blesscmed cut as Youtoslavia’s leading art critic. How did he pexform the miracle 7? Last week the secret was revealed by Tito himself.
4s ryported by Nasa Stempe,.ceggral orges-o€: thy Jugoslay; pregs, apsocgation, the cogntry’s most eminent journalists ges: into: $he.subject..of abstract. art at a meeting Feb.6. Tito happened to be present, and so the abstractionists, naturally, didn‘t con out ahead. Like Karushchev, who has put a big cross on abstract art, Tito brought powertal logic to bear ageinst them. They “hope t6 cover up their ignorance, “he said, "with & foul gpletch on canvan*.
"J have heard, * said the head of the zovernment, ‘that some people who felt + disturbed by my words (at « previous meeting where he condemned abstract art) asked by what right I criticized the negative manifestations of cultural life. They said: ‘Tito‘’s polities is good, however, he is not competent in the cultural field.’ The porsor. whe eaid this did not understand the nature of the Commmist party, socialism and conmmisn. * @u not only cumpetent in questions of industry and agriculture; I am equally competent ia cultural questions becauge T am the president of the republic and general secretary of the Commmist Leaguel’".
Remarkable as Tito’s talents are in this field, they have not taken him as far as they did in the case of Stalin, a similarly selfmade art critic. Tito doee not propose to ban abstract art or purge those who experiment with it. He insists only that uo prizes be awardad any 6f their canvases.
“Ve are not preparing administrative measures against our artists, "Tito was quoted as saying. “This would be contrary to the program of the Commmist League. Let those artists who want to, work as the please ~ but at their own expense! If people buy their works, we’re not egainst it. But we will not give any more government funde. millions, for such paintings: Il will energetically oppose it!*