WILL STUDY ART IN ARCHITECTURE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30460, 6 June 1964, Page 15

WILL STUDY ART IN ARCHITECTURE

The incorporation of art in architecture will be a major study in Europe of the Christchurch artist and sculptor, Mr Russell Clark, when he goes overseas next month on refresher leave from his post as senior lecturer in painting at the University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts.

Mr Clark will concentrate on modern art, though he hopes to see most of the old masters in European galleries and also to study ancient 'mosaic work. His tour will include Australia, Italy, France, Spain, England and Germany. Murals and Mosaics

Painting and mural work (including mosaics) had developed many new techniques in Euprope, Mr Clark said last evening, and he was particularly keen to see new combinations of materials. He had used painting, mosaic, and metal in the foyer of the T. and G. building in Christ-, church and become interested in the possibilities. He intends to take many photographs of mural work of all kinds showing “the human scale” for the benefit of his students. “I think this aspect is badly neglected in most art publications,” Mr Clark said. “Some scale, say a human figure, is necessary to show the area or extent of a mural. Proportion may be a vital factor.'

Mr Clark has a list of small galleries in Italy and France which have been recommended to him as having some of the best ranges of modern art. This development in itself interests him. In his visits to unversity arts schools, Mr Clark will particularly observe what freedom of expression is given to students. “There is a trend to give young artists considerable latitude to express themselves without influence from their teachers,” he said. “Guidance and help come later when a student’s capabilities become apparent. “The Canterbury School of Fine Arts is allowing more of this freedom than ever before, but we are interested to know whether Continental schools have made modifications.” In Spain, where he will spend the greatest part of his

leave, Mr Clark wants to see “architecture as a basis for landscape and pictorial composition.” “Some of their recoco stuff seems almost unbelievable, and I want to see it in the flesh,” said Mr Clark. In Naples, Milan, and Pistoia he will see Italian bronze-casting methods. “These are renowned for their excellence in detail, finish, and patina,” Mr Clark said.