ART—AND THE HOME

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12769, 27 January 1936, Page 2

ART—AND THE HOME

AN IMPROVING TENDENCY

Despite the caustic comments of sarcastic or cynical critics, the average citizen, helped by many influences, is developing a real appreciation of beauty in art-.

"Signs are not wanting, in spite of 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 lias 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 thirty years ago, to realise that there is yet hope. It may he argued that these things are matters of fashion and are governed only by the inexplicable vagaries of attaching thereto; hut 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 endeavor toward 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, hut 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 modernists, will counterbalance the value of the sincere development of traditional motives., For the cry, ‘Shew us something good and beautiful, a true expression of tho 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, -he given wider scope, if the towns and •cities of this country are to evidence any good expression. The vbry germ of good architecture is a plait which permits the building to . fulfill its function. The appearance of outside and inside are the building up front that plan in fulfilment of that Junction and giving it suitable expression.”