SCIENCE AND ART.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 1 September 1930, Page 4

SCIENCE AND ART.

PROFESSOR SHELLEY'S LECTURE The mulny ways in which science is able to render material services to art in general were discussed by Professor James Shelley during an illustrated leoture on "Science in the Service of Art," given at a meeting of the Society , for Imperial Culture on Saturday evening Dr. J. Hight presided over a large attendance of members of the Society. The meeting was held iii tho Chamber 'of Commerco Hall. The following musical items were given:—Songs, "Evening Boat Song" (Schubert), and "The Praise of God" (Beethoven), by Miss Elsie Chamberlam. fciong, ''Adelaide" (Beethoven) by Mr James Shaw. Instrumental quartet: "Bethoven—^Op. 16" (Ist, 2nd, and 3rd movements), Mrs Roy Twyneham (violin), Mrs Ken Robinson (viola), Mrs John Guthrie ('cello), and Mrs Russell (piano). Misa Blanche Atkinson was the accompanist. Professor £>hellev began his lecture with a lew remarks ou the relation of science to art, pointing out how the scientist takes for granted tho things which ho cannot explain; things which are the essence of art, and which the artist endeavours to represent. "Science remarks a thing to be in a certain lixed state, which cannot change," stated the Professor, "but in the ordinary life of that object a change takes place. Science cannot say how the thing changes from one state to another. It is not the scientist's business to say that. But it is the actual living of the thing that people are most aware of, and it is just that going-oii which tho artist expresses. Science may bo able _to tell people of the particular relation of the muscles of a horse in a certain state of motion, but only the artist can reproduce that sense of speed and power which thrills the onlooker at a race-meeting. The records of the scientist and the artist seem thus to be almost diametrically opposed; science trios to show to tho human mind things that are _ fixed and anchored; art tries to grip the things that stir life in a man. The living values of dead scientific symbols are the values upon which the artist relies to get his offects. Art is an attempt to express the rhythms of living which the .scientist eliminates. but which are the very essence of our being." At the conclusion of Professor Shelley's address he was accorded a vote of thanks l>v acclamation, on the motion of Mr H. A. Young. Tho musicians were also thanked.