Peoples of Pacific United in Glass House Murals

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 11

Peoples of Pacific United in Glass House Murals

TREASURE ISLAND, Calif.—Pacific House, a centrally located, glass-walled, building, Is the centre of official rela- ' tionship, as well as of cultural activity, for every nation in the Pacific Ocean 1 area represented here at the Golden I Gate International Exposition; and a I move is under way to insure an institu-! tion of like sort for San Francisco after ( the Fair closes. The present temporary building was put up at a cost of 100,000 dollars; and its murals, its library, its terra-cotta fountain (30 by 47 feet) and its furniture will all be transferred to permanent quarters, when the time comes for selecting a location in the City and quitting the Island. Pacific House, according to Philip N. Youtz, the Director, lets through its wide glass portals daily nearly one half the visitors attending the Fair. Its point of especial attraction is a glazed and coloured fountain-diorama, by Antonio Sotomayor, representing tho whole Pacific Ocean area. The fountain, comprising 3GO pieces, each designed and cast separately, forms a geographical picture of land and sea from near the North Pole to the South Pole.

Pacific House, construction of which was visualized by William Merchant, member of the Architectural Commission of the Fair, stands in the middle of the “Pacific Basin,” a small lake in the middle of the Island, around which are placed exhibits from Japan, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealaud, Jahore, Netherlands Indies, French indo China, Hawaii, and South American countries.

There is always something doing at Pacific House apart from the largo crowds that quietly move in and out studying the four brilliantly coloured murals. “Economies of tho Pacific,”

“Peoples of the Pacific,” “Flora and Fauna of the Pacific,” and “Art Forms of the Pacific.” Tho principal artist, Miguel Covarrubias, and his associate, Antonio Ruiz, are Mexicans.

High over the centre of the glassenclosed building appears a map in coloured glass by Edgar Dorsey Taylor, that marks with bright red paths against a blue sea background the trade routes of the Pacific. It is a particularly effective display at night. Passersby cannot help seeing it through the glass walls of Pacific House.

The theatrical touring company gavo a performance of “King Lear,” and the local critic wrote: “If Shakespeare could have seen his play performed, ho would have turned in his grave.” Next night the same company did “Othello,” and the leading actor thought he had made a hit this time, until he opened his paper and read: “We thank the company at the Buskin Theatre. Shakespeare is now on his back again.” Rastus had returned to the house earlier than usual, and a male friend of his wife’s had hidden as best he could under the sofa. On entering the room Rastus looked slowly round, and then felt in his pocket, producing a wicked-looking razor. “What you all goin’ to do, Rastus!” cried Dinah, in great agitation. Rastus looked at her, grimly. “Dinah,” ho said, “if dem feet sticken* out dcre don’t belong to nobody, I is goin’ to shave.”