Myths and Magic on Fire, Gold and Art by Jorge Glusberg (review)

Books existed for many decades and that may yet succeed in 'cultural identity' among these diverse islands territories. He points out, too, that this will have to take place against the background of the persistent effort to perpetuate the domination of European countries and the U.S.A. The following appeared in the Trinidad Guardian of 17-28 February 1980: 'The French Government is concerned about problems of stability in the Caribbean and is ready to participate in ensuring the security and stability of the region.' The following themes serve as the bases of his discussion: (a) cultural pluralism and national unity; (b) the preservation and further development of cultural values; (c) the cultural dimension of development; (d) the possibility of cultural integration and co-operation between the Anglophone Caribbean, on the one hand, and the wider Caribbean, including Latin America, on the other. He states that the problems of race and of colour in Jamaica are far more difficult to deal with than many admit. There is also a language difficulty, although one kind of English is commonly used. Yet he says, 'Why can't the Jamaican child grow to feel that he is free to use any language form appropriate to his needs?' Religion is touched upon, such as that of the Rastafarian group, and a good account is given of manifestations in the arts, theatre, painting, dance and sculpture. He pays tribute to the artists George Lamming, John Hearne, Vidia Naipaul, Wilson Harris, Derek Walcott and others, many of whom live in self-exile or 'in agony as resident strangers in their own land'. Nevertheless he looks to the future of Jamaica with hope and issues this challenge: 'First and foremost is the need for us to recognise that rooted in our history is a Caribbean experience that is worth being seriously explored.' This challenge should inspire readers to join in the 'building of the day when the essential unity of man will triumph over the cleavages of race, class and cultural capacities.' Myths and Magic on Fire, Gold and Art. Jorge Glusberg. Int. Assoc. Art Critics, Argentine Section, Buenos Aires, 1979. 32 pp., illus. Paper. Reviewed by Arpad Mezei" Some believe, as does Jorge Glusberg, according to his essay, that the first attempts to find answers to queries of the meaning of life and of the universe were provided in the form of myths and that magic applies them in an attempt to obtain what humans desire. While myths imply imagination, magic has the potential of power over a community, and it was magicians who established the system of monarchy. Myths and magic are also assumed to have led to the development of the arts and of science. Reviewing myths of Amerindians concerning the techniques of making fire, Glusberg concludes that the technique was believed to be the prerogative of supernatural beings and was acquired by humans in a treacherous way, the mediators being animals, mostly birds (perhaps because of their wing movements resembling those of flames). Gold is akin to fire in many respects. The Amerindians regarded gold as the living symbolization of the Sun and, like fire, gold was the subject matter of myth. Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire of Peru by employing violence, deceit and exploitation of their mythical beliefs. While the Incas employed gold for ritual and artistic purposes, the conquering Spaniards considered only its monetary value. The Amerindians regarded this avidity for gold as odd. On being asked by the Aztec emperor Montezuma about his predilection for gold, Cortez, the conqueror of Mexico, improvised the answer that the Spanish suffered a disease of the heart for which gold was the only remedy. Glusberg points out that it is the resistance of gold to decay and its extraordinary malleability that gave rise to its symbolic functions: Gold signifies security and prestige. Gold also became a standard of value for money in terms of its weightin Spanish peso means weight. In his view even the materialis- '14 Clubway, Hartsdale, NY 10530, U.S.A. 161 tic approach to gold has symbolic overtones, for gold 'is more valuable for what it represents than for what it really is' (p. 19). Money in the form...