ART—AND THE HOME

Evening Star, Issue 22248, 28 January 1936, Page 2

ART—AND THE HOME

AH TENDENCY Despite the caustic comments of saicastic or cynical critics, the average citizen helped by many influences, is developing a real appreciation of beauty in art. c “ Signs aro not wanting, m spite or a more intense mechanisation of manufacture, that there is a possibility of a renaissance of art in the life of _ mankind,” states a New Zealand reviewer. “ It is taking place, not so much as the result of an art consciousness, but of a more discriminating tendency in regard to the beautiful. One has only to'consider what is now looked upon as good in women’s dress, in furniture, in wall hangings, and to compare them with what was thought generally desirable 30 years ago, to realise that there is yet hope. It may be argued that these things are matters of fashion, and are governed only by the inexplicable vagaries attaching thereto; but this is far from being the case. The more beautiful products are sought after, are fashionable, because general taste is improving. “ In architecture, also, signs are not wanting that there is, at least among those who practise the art, a thoughtful and conscientious endeavour toivard truth of expression. Comparing the periodicals of the nineties with those of the last decade, one is astonished at the advance from the illogical and clumsy type of work very evident in ■that time. This expression is appreciated by the community, but is as yet little understood. Indeed, unless the public, with the ability which it has to sort out in the end the true from the false, takes a hand, it is possible that a retrograde movement toward the chaotic and meaningless architecture of the so-called modernist will counterbalance the value of the sincere development of traditional motives. For the cry, ‘ Show us something new, something which was never done before,’ let us substitute ‘ Show us something good and beautiful, a true expression of the function it performs,’ and we shall find that the result, in all arts as well as in architecture, will give us infinitely more satisfaction. Architecture must, furthermore, be given wider scope, if the towns and cities of this country are to evidence any good expression. The very germ of good architecture is a plan which permits the building to fulfil its function. The appearance of outside and inside are the building up from that plan in fulfilment of that _ function and giving it suitable expression.”