DOMAIN SITE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 5

DOMAIN SITE.

FINE ARTS CENTRE.

SUPPORT FOR SCHEME. " HAS MANY ADVANTAGES." "The more the idea is considered the more do the disadvantages that have been suggested regarding a site for the Fine Arts Centre in the Domain appear in the light of advantages," said a prominent city man this morning, and his statement was itronglv supported by others. It was suggested that a building coukl be erected in the Domain, which would complement the present War Memorial Museum and give added interest, to a city attraction which was ranked as one of Now Zealand's finest assets.

The situation, it v. as maintained, was ideal, and already the Museum, in its elevated position, was a landmark both from the land and the sea. Again, it was a large area of land, with ample accommodation for the present and the future needs of V the city, and it presented no difficulties from the town planning viewpoint. It was convenient to the centre of the city from a metropolitan angle and was easily accessible to the citizens of the whole city and district. Transport Facilities. The view had been expressed that transport facilities were lacking and that it was rather far removed from the other educational centres. Actually, it was pointed out, the Domain site was within easy distance of the various schools and colleges of the city. _ For instance, it was within comparatively easy walking distance of the School of Art, the University and the Technical College on the harbour side of the city, and was favourably situated to most tram routes. "Apart from these means of transportation bus services provide an additional service via Grafton bridge, and it is readily conceivable that with the Art Gallery placed in the Domain, in addition to the Winter Garden and tlie Museum —making it a i'eal arts centre —extensions of motor- services could be arranged its a payable proposition," a citizen stated. "The yearly attendance at the Museum has reached 177,184 in one year, and even that figure would sound attractive to an enterprising bus proprietor." Actually, when it was considered the number of people who were making the Domain and the Museum the scene ot their Sunday and holiday walks, because of the varied beauty of the surroundings and the excellent view over the harbour and the gulf, it could not be claimed that the Domain site was difficult of access. Comparative Attendances. In support of this view the comparative attendances at the Art Gallery (within 200 yards of Queen Street) and the Museum during the past five years were ascertained as follow: — Art Year. Gallery. Museum. 1031-32 . . 04.107 148,51)1 1032-33 . . 58,837 157,854 1033-34 . . 51,540 142 '?H 1034-35 . . 53,326 171,184 1035-30 . . 51,033 140,00 l Again the opinion was held in some quarters that it was necessary to have the Art Gallery handy to Queen Street in order that visits could be made to it during the lunch-hours in the city. A study of the attendances at the Gallery did not support this. A comparison of attendances at the Gallery during the past ten years showed actually that the greatest number of people attended the Gallery between the hours of 2-3 p.m., with the next popular hour 3-4 p.m. One to 2 p.m. was the next popular hour and 12-1 p.m. the fourth, with 11-12 noon, very little behind. A study of these figures, it was pointed out, showed that liandiness to Queen Street was not an important factor. The Museum and its associated attractions was the draw to the crowds, and if the Art Gallery were established on the same site it would be an added inducement, making it possible for better transport facilities to be given. In Other Cities. In the older countries a location within a park was considered highly desirable for an Art Gallery or other institutions of a cultural character. In San Francisco, Golden Gate Park had been developed on such lines. In this park were situated a museum, and art gallery, an aquarium, and many other institutions of a cultural and a recreational nature. Other places that had utilised public parks and domains for their cultural buildings were Sydney (the Domain), Wanganui, Christchurch, Glasgow (Kelvingrove Park), New York (Central Park), St. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland and France (The Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries). The surroundings of a park were held to be an appropriate setting for the contemplation of works of art, in that noise and distraction were eliminated.

In addition to that factor there was the consideration that the grouping of such buildings was natural in the consideration of an art centre. There was no competition between such buildings. One was naturally a complement to the other. In fact, it was a question for argument whether certain % sections should he located in an art gallery or a museum, as they possessed both historical and artistic value. t

An argument tliat was raised was that the site, owing to its exposed position and the composition of the soil, was not suitable for any horticultural treatment apart from tree planting, and there was plenty of land available for the erection of another building, which would in no way detract from the present building any of its inipressiveness. From an architectural point of vietv, far from being a detraction, another building (or buildings) could be designed in harmony with the Museum, which would be an advantage to the Museum architecturally.