Artists should use their talent to promote socialism; Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked artists not to chase popularity with vulgar works and use their talent to promote socialism, with media here comparing his comments to that of Chairman Mao Zedong who had stressed that arts should serve politics.
"Artists should not "lose themselves in the tide of market economy nor go astray while answering the question of whom to serve, otherwise their works will lack vitality," Xi said while addressing authors, actors, script writers and dancers at a symposium here yesterday.
As art has become a major commercial success in China with Chinese emerging as big collectors of art works, Xi called on artists for return of Maoist concept of socialist art saying that they not to be "slaves" of market with vulgar paintings, chasing the stench of money.

"Art works should not be the "slaves" of the market and should not bear "the stench of money," Xi was quoted as saying by the official media.
His comments came as China emerged as one of world's biggest markets with last year's transactions amounting to over USD eight billion, according to China Art and Auctioneers Association.
Xi said the status-quo of "quantity over quality" in art has created "a plateau without summits" and led to a cookie-cutter approach in production and consumption.

"Popularity should not necessitate vulgarity and hope should not entail covetousness. Pure sensual entertainment does not equate to spiritual elation," Xi said.

He urged artists to create more works that have "bones, morality and warmth" - meaning works that advocate integrity, merits and compassion - in order to provide the public the best "food for thought" available.
Comparing Xi's statement with that of former Chairman of the People's Republic of China Mao Zedong, an editorial in the state-run China Daily said Mao had delivered a similar speech 72 years ago, emphasising that the aim of literature and art should be to serve the workers, farmers and soldiers.
"Given the background of war, Mao's speech could not have had a lighter political tone.

At Wednesday's forum, Xi did talk about patriotism, core socialist values and the role of art and literature in representing the characteristics of the times and social values. But he also emphasized the integration of ideology and artistic values," it said.