MAORI ART DESIGNS

Evening Star, Issue 17324, 12 April 1920, Page 6

MAORI ART DESIGNS

CAN THEY BE APPLIED TO MODERN USES? With the idea of testing the adaptability of Maori decorative designs and motives to modern uses, tiie Otago University Museum authorities have planned an exhibition, the first of its kind ever held. This exhibition is in the books and manuscript room of the Hocken Wing i of the Museum, and it was opened toi day. By advertisement it was announced that exhibits would be received from persons who were working on this subject in any material, and the result is that we have I to-day on view a most interesting collection, which will be added to when the I Canterbury consignment arrives. The Maori designs and motives are the outcome of centuries of experiment, mainly as to the capabilities of the curve. It was thought by the Museum managers [ that it would be wrong for all this experimenting and trial to be thrown into the rag-bag. seeing that the designs were produced under New Zealand conditions, and may therefore be supposed to fit more completely into the New Zealand environment than decorative schemes which have been worked out in other parts of the world. It is very difficult to say of any feature of Maori art that it was wholly or definitely due to the New Zealand environment. Scientists are careful about dogmatising on such subjects. But it seems hisihly probable that the curves and ■ the spirals which were the most prominent j features of Maori decorative art were ; influenced (perhaps unconsciously) by the j wealth of fern life which is a conspicuous characteristic of the New Zealand landI scape. There is no doubt that some of the most strikinc: of the Maori designs, which l happen to be not curves at all, can be j adapted with verv great sucoms as borders | for New Zealand rugs. These particular designs, which were really studies in ' angles and lines, va» v.>oik«l oat by j Maori artists jind ' craftsmen in the [practice of the textile art; hence it is j probable that they can be easily adopted to loom technique. As it chances. theTe ' is not a single article of this particular kind of design-in this exhibition. The studies submitted are mostly studies in curves, and the omission noted is unfortunate. But the exhibition is only an experiment. We hope that it will be a success, and lead to other large exhibi- ; tions of the kind. It would he a distinct gain to our manufacturing reputation if wo could set up a specialty irr rug borders. The woollen nig is typically an : example of New Zealand, industry. " No other country in the world can equal New Zealand nigs, and i? wo can give them I New Zealand borders which will show jte the world that our art is connected with prehistoric times, so much the more ! distinctive will these rugs be. i Aboriginal art has been and is being j thoughtfully studied from the industrial j point of view—to create new methods of I decoration—in America and also in ! Canada. The Canadian Government have devoted much time and a considerable amount of money to the encouragement of the use of such designs by Canadian manufacturers. It is hardly to be hoped that the New Zealand Government will be nolo to go quite so far, but it is reaj sonable to expect that art students here will go on with the experiment of adapt - [ ing, and this exhibition will act as a i stimulus in that direction. i A friend of the Otago Museum has j of!prod four money prizes to be awarded ; for merit in design. It was not possible ■ to divide the exhibits into classes according to the materials emploved, so that ! the prizes w-ere awarded for'oxcellence in I design in general. Mr A. Bathe-ate-judged tho exhibits today. He is himself, tho producer of a carved, chair which is in the exhibition, but. not for competition. Amongst the articles aTe two striking port-eres, one in stencil, the other painted; a sheet of ..beautiful designs in metal work, this including a most ingenious application of the mere to tho shaping ot a brass hinse; a charmhiT =et oi designs for table pottorv: some characteristic wall-paper designs."one with a beautiful frieze of Mount. Ezmont and a M?.on river; also cushions and reolicas or Maori implement* and weapons. " Throe of the four awards were mads \%- ft >'- the r v "' lnnerE b«ng A. H. Dunstan, Miss M. S. M'Leod. and Mrs W H Smith. The awarding of the fourth prize is deferred. Dut related to it in a direct fashion, is a collection of war posters just put up in the main hall of the museum. Thev are lent by a friend. The posters are by French, British, and German artists. The Frenchmen in this work strike a very high note, and amongst the British posters is a strong one by Frank Brangwyn.