WORK OF THE ARTIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22428, 26 May 1936, Page 14

WORK OF THE ARTIST

INTERIOR DECORATION REMARKABLE' FEATURES In strength, power and seaworthiness the Queen Mary reigns supreme. "Built like a battleship," the last word in naval architecture and mechanical perfection, the embodiment of British knowledge and experience, and expressing in her'every line, in every department the sea tradition of Britain, she also stands as a work of art. The world has been made aware by pictures of her gracefulness. Only passengers and visitors may fully appreciate the art that has gone into her decoration. Mr. John De La Valette, in a descriptive article, says of the first class lounge and grand ballroom:— "To say that a room is 100 ft. long and 70ft. wide; that its delicately lighted ceilings rise in subtle steps through three decks to a height of 26ft., may not mean much on paper. But there is no doubt of the effect which tho actual room will make. "As everywhere in this ship, the panels covering tho bulkheads, perhaps 1 should say the walls, have been selected from among tho most exquisite woods, and adjusted to the needs of the room. Here is a hall in which dresses of all colours and all shades should look their lovely best, without ever clashing with the background. So woods of glowing browns and golden autumn tints have been selected, and the rest of the decoration brought into harmony with them. "In certain parts bands of exquisite, subdued-golden bronze outline the dadoes and windows, while curtains of shimmery pale shades complete the delicate atmosphere. Along the tops of the walls are boldly and broadly sculptured panels, which, being also of electrogilt bronze, will melt gracefully into the scheme to which some colourful mural paintings give point and punch. "Among the wonders of this room is the most up-to-dato stago imaginable. Its proscenium, 26ft. wido, 22ft. high, is faced with palo golden-toned woods and lighted with every cunning device that modern theatre technique demands "The whole of the lighting, in fact, is a wonder in itself. Wherever the light may lie, concealed in bowls or hidden in the ceiling, or skilfully disguised between the 32 pairs of inner and outer windows of this fantastic hall, it ia everywhere connected with a lighting circuit which enables all lights to be simultaneously and gradually dimmed, or changed from one subtle colour or * shade to another, according to the mood in which the occupants are expected to find themselves, tinder the influence of the play or tho cinema show, or of jolly or languorous dances."