“PLASTICS.”

Evening Star, Issue 14001, 6 March 1909, Page 8

“PLASTICS.”

LECTURE BY MR HARBUTT. > About fifty persons, the majority of whom were teachers in the primary schools, assembled in the reading room of the Technical School last night to witness a demonstration by Mr William Harbutt pf tire art of using plasticine in primary education. Mr W. S. Fitzgerald, who introduced the lecturer, remarked on the small attendance of teachers at such an important lecture, and be trusted that there would be a larger attendance at the morning's lecture. Mr Harbutt considers the art quite distinct from modelling, and he calls it "plastics.” Mr Harbutt, who has been an art instructor in Bath, England, found the great necessity for some simple form of instruction in plastic material, so that the work of-the teacher might be lightened and the time of the pupil more profitably spent. The essential feature in plastics is that the study of the subject of drawing commences at an earlier age than has generally been deemed practicable, manual employment being made to precede any other form of instruction in the primary schools, and the child being familiarised with the use of three or four simple tools. Modelling mid drawing naturally follow. After watching his deft fingers develop from the throe simple forms—a ball, a biscuit, and a rope—-that a child naturally makes, and proceeding step by step from simple to more complex forms, one is thoroughly convinced that Mr Harbutt has justified his claim to have devised a valuable combination of band and eye training for children. It is not intended to make artists, but artistic and careful workmen, by educating the taste for symmetry. The lecturer insisted on the importance of reproducing in brushwork the results of the work in plasticine. He then showed bow his system might be made an aid to instruction in natural history, geography, and animal life. The value of plasticine extended also to the woodwork or carpentry and physiology instruction, and examples of its usefulness were given. Mr Harbutt explained that about 85 per cent, of plasticine consists of sulphur, hence its antiseptic qualities, which enable it to be handled for any length of time without danger. The demonstration and lecture were followed by a number of lantern views showing a great variety of simple and complex designs done by plasticine pupils at Home, and some more advanced modelling by teachers.

Mr Harbutt kept his audience thoroughly interested for about two hours, and at the conclusion of his lecture was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. This morning Mr Hartratt care anotlier lecture, which was very largely attended, the reading room of the Technical School being uncomfortably ML Those present spent two very profitable hours watching Mr Harbutfs demonstration of the uses of “ plastics” in the work of primary education. There is no doubt that the teachers present would derate a good deal of assistance from the lecture.