William Rubin “Modernist Primitivism: An Introduction” 1 ... - iSites

credits efforts of ethnographers and he seems to hold a strong opinion of
exactly where primitive art should be viewed in our culture – in a glass case
of an ethnographic museum. Do you know if his essay sparked further
debates across the interdisciplinary fields much like Rubin’s MOMA,
“’Primitivism’ in 20 th Century Art” exhibition did?
24. Very often icons of European art such as: Picasso, Gauguin (being perhaps
some the most famous), draw (resemblance or influence) from “primitive”
works of arts that surrounded them. However, this influence although
(admired and revered) by many artist has seldom been acknowledged as
influence per se. Could it be that the reason for this resilience to recognize
indirect or direct influences is the fact that acknowledging any type of
inspiration could treat their artistic originality and their fame as creators?
Elvis Princely, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton among other American musicians and
artists, have openly recognized being influenced by “negro music and art”
such as blues and Jazz in their work. However, this admission has not
affected their status as creators and innovators. Could it be then, that given
the era of history where Picasso and Gauguin lived was closer to the era of
Imperial Europe and Social Darwinism as the doctrine labeling anything
colored as beastly, thus preventing them from acknowledging the high level
of abstract symbolism in their work?
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