From Upton Sinclair’s book of art criticism and social analysis, Mammonart (1925):
…six great art lies now prevailing in the world, which this book will discuss:
Lie Number One: the Art for Art’s Sake lie; the notion that the end of art is in the art work, and that the artist’s sole task is perfection of form….
Lie Number Two: the lie of Art Snobbery; the notion that art is something esoteric, for the few, outside the grasp of the masses….
Lie Number Three: the lie of Art Tradition; the notion that new artists must follow old models….
Lie Number Four: the lie of Art Dilettantism; the notion that the purpose of art is entertainment and diversion, an escape from reality….
Lie Number Five: the lie of the Art Pervert; the notion that art has nothing to do with moral questions….
Lie Number Six: the lie of Vested Interest; the notion that art excludes propaganda and has nothing to do with freedom and justice….
A Practical Policy 