Author: Mabry, Mary Connelly and Mabry, Bevars D.

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Conference paper/presentation

Summary:

Paper presented at First International Conference on Arts and Economics, sponsored by the Association for Cultural Economics, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 8-10, 1979.

Abstract:

Paper presented at First International Conference on Arts and Economics, sponsored by the Association for Cultural Economics, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 8-10, 1979. Comment by Verna Hildebrand, p. 356-358.

The Mabrys' report on art in Thailand explains how artists' works are being incorporated into development plans, thus indicating a linkage between the political-economic institutions and creative expression. Political and creative freedom are closely related, as some Soviet artists clearly state today. In some ancient societies enjoying the arts was the privilege of royalty. Artists were conscripted to produce beautiful works which the artists and the common people were never privileged to enjoy. The Chinese often note this fact when they show visitors their historical museums and shrines. The Mabry paper mentions a similar attitude toward art in traditional Thailand.

The Western economic model and its related cognitive model widely used in education today appear to place a higher value on correct or convergent answers than on creative or divergent reasoning.... If we accept the argument posed by Mary and Bevars Mabry, that artists can make an important contribution to economic development, then cutting back on creative arts programs is short-sighted, even in the narrow sense of economic development....

In conclusion, both cultural economics and human ecology value a holistic perspective. Production and consumption of creative expressions by the people of the human behavioral environment merit the support of the institutions of the human-constructed environment. (Hildebrand, p. 357-358)

CONTENTS
The role of art in the development of Thailand.
The renaissance of classical art.
Table - Number of artists and selected artisans in Thailand, 1970.
Conclusions.
Notes.
References [bibliography].

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Creative Economies