LECTURES ON ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 195, 19 August 1927, Page 8

LECTURES ON ART.

AN INTERESTING SERIES. DELIVERED AT THE UNIVERSITY

I ndcr the auspices of the Society of Arts and ihc Auckland Institute of Architects, four most interesting Jrcturx > were delivered last evening in the lecture hall at the Auckland University. Mr. 11. G. Cousins presided, and in hi# opening remarks paid a high tribute to the two bodies for having thought to bring them together to hear such lectures on "Art in Business." "Art in the Church." "Art in the Home,™ and "Art in the Street.** The lecturers were Mr. Arnold Goodwin, the Rev. ("oats, Mr*. A. J. Brown, and Mr. H. Al. Kccsing. rcs|>ect ively. Speaking on the subject of "Art in Business"." Mr. Goodwin said if the introduction of printing Im? accepted a* the Iwjiinning of business art it would cover the ground which had to be contended with. He mentioned that the first illustrated advertisement to appear was a small block of a ship to illustrate a shipping advertisement in "The Time*"- in 1778. Mr. Goodwin traced advertising art throughout the last 100 years, and remarked that the business man had a horror of the artist whilst the artist considered l> businessman as n leaden-sonled materialist. He maintained that all artistic work iu business was done for one purpose, and that was to sell goods. That principle must be understood by both. Th? lecturer finished his address with the quotation "Tho more wc get together the happier we will lie." The Rev. Coats commenced his remarks on "Art and the Church" by saving the subject was so colossal that oiie could only just touch on it because it covered the whole cx|»rriciices of man. The speaker stressed the necessity of having the beauty of art in churcics. They were just beginning to realise tlat art Was essential to, and in, religion. He proceeded to talk about the various churches in New Zealand, and asked why could they not be made less dull anil uninteresting and advocated painting the insides of the bnildings with beautiful colours. All decorations had a double purpose—the glory of Clod and the edification of his people. "Art in the Home" was dealt with by Airs. A. J. Brown who, at the outset, advocated the theme of educating the child in that respect. It was well to cultivate a general good taste in the arts, especially in the home. Airs. Brown described in detail how to make the home beautiful by the arrangement of pictures and furniture. The outside of the house should also be considered. "How can streets be improved?" asked Mr. Kccsing in his lecture on "Art in the Street." It was his intention to deal with three kinds of streets, namely, commercial streets, residential streets and manufacturing streets, but, as the hour was late, lie would have to confine himself briefly to the first two. During the course of his remarks the speaker said old streets should not be improved by embodying the ideas of newer cities. He pointed to Auckland's Ugly streets, particularly Queen Street, with its standards, poles, ugly verandahs and awnings. Auckland's commercial buildings were patchy, said the speaker, but. in his opinion. Auckland needed very little done to it to make it an ideal place. Air. Kcesing illustrated his lecture with lantern slides. Speaking of improving the landscape, as far as trees were concerned. Mr. Keesing said Auckland's slogan should be: "Hands off the Pines."