Social roots of the arts / by Louis Harap.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 182-188) and index.

1. Production as foundation -- 2. Fruits of technology -- 3. Class and audience -- 4. Molding of form -- 5. Dialectic of tradition -- 6. Flux of taste -- 7. Music and technology -- 8. Art and social action -- 9. Folk art -- 10. Mass art -- 11. Art under fascism -- 12. Art under socialism.

"This book is offered at a decisive moment for culture. Under the impact of a social system in rapid decline, American artists are reacting variously — some in abject surrender to the lure of cash, others in evasion of the challenge of a new world struggling to be born. These artists are allowing themselves passively to reflect the insoluble contradictions in which capitalism is involved. Yet all over the world cultural workers are allying themselves with the truly creative forces, the working class protagonists in the gigantic conflict between those who would hold back human advance and those who would carry humanity forward. In this heroic struggle the artist has an important part to play. He can help the people to attain consciousness of realities of a changing world. If the artist is to fulfill this function, he must himself have that 'consciousness of necessity' which is the essence of freedom. If this book stimulates the artist and those who are devoted to culture to deepen their awareness of the social roots and goals of culture, it will be justified. This volume is not a definitive study of esthetic problems. At best this book signifies that we are on the threshold of a new understanding of art and culture, thanks to the fruitful Marxist method and philosophy. This book attempts to present certain known principles of Marxist esthetics and to suggest problems for further examination through collective effort of many scholars and thinkers." -- from the preface.

From the library of Karl and Elizabeth Niebyl.