AN IDEAL SITE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 71

AN IDEAL SITE.

EXHIBITION ART GALLERY, Another authority has come forward in support of those who favour the acquiring of the Exhibition Art Gallery to house the Dunedin collection. This time it is Mr Ernest Marsh, Art Director for the Exhibition Company, who will leave shortly for England. When interviewed on Tuesday, Mr Marsh was emphatic in his approval of the proposal to keep the Art Gallery at Logan Park and transfer to it the present Dunedin collection. “It is quite impossible to house the collection. together with the pictures recently purchased, in the present gallery,” he said. “The accommodation is insufficient to show what is already there, and the lighting is not good. “It i 3 absolutely neees«ary that there should be a change; but I think that is accepted by all. It is only a question of the site. *o why spend thousands on a new gallery when Ibis is available and is ideal for the purpose? “I do not want to be concerned with the rights or wrongs of the controversy now in progress, but to my mind it is perfectly ludicrous to convert such a building jnto dressing rooms when an art gallery is required by the city.” As far as he was concerned, continued Mr Marsh, ho considered the Exhibition Art Gallery an excellent building for the purpose. It was well built, well arranged, and well lit. Tlie ventilation should be improved, because at present there was not sufficient fresh air in the building and no escape for foul air, which was a fault that had become noticeable when large numbers of visitors were present during the Exhibition period. However, this could bo easily remedied, and needed only the addition of ventilators in various parts of the gallery. In view of the excellence of the building it would be a great pity were it not utilised for the purpose it so eminently suited. The situation was in many ways an ideal one. and the setting of the Art Gallery in a park was a good feature, because many people would come down on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, would combine a visit to the park, the Art Gallery, and the Gardens, which were such a short distance away. The idea of placing an art gallery in such surroundings was by no means a new one, and had been carried out with success in various parts of the world. Sydney, Luxemburg, and Hampton Court being examples. Such surroundings were much more congenial than any in a city could be, and, although the present Gallery was very central, people who visited it did not intend merely to drop in for a little while. J but made a special visit and spent some. / time. When that aspect of the question', was considered the position was not so remote. The park was only 15 minutes’ walk from the railway station, and there were nearby tramway services. “Another great advantage,” said Mr Marsh, “is that there is ample room here, which will enable arts and crafts work to be exhibited. To niv mind this work should always be associated with the Fine Arts. I particularly refer to pottery work, silversmith’s work, fine lettering, bookbinding, and poster work.”