WAR MEMORIALS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 247, 13 July 1920, Page 6

WAR MEMORIALS

« EXHIBITION OF DESIGNS UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES VIEWS OF MR. HURST-SEAGER With the people of half the cities and towns of New Zealand talking war memorials, tho interesting collec:ion of dosigns which has lieen sent out from England by Mr. S. Hurst-Seagor cii-n scarce-' ly fail to create widespread interest. It might bo stated initially that most of tho items are sketches of proposed memorials, and not representations of memorials actually in exijtencc". Thero are among them pictures and photographs of some very famous memorials, such as 'the Arc do Triomphe, Paris, the superbly beautiful Victor Emmanuel uipnumeut, nnd tho famous bronze equestrian statue of General Oolleoni in Yenice, but there are only a few photographs of new memorials. Prominent among the memorials of to-day is the famous cenotaph which was erected at Whitehall, as a temporary memorial to the British fallen. This cenotaph was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyeus, and is quite a simple monument in block form of the type that was erected in our own Parliamentary grounds for last Anzao Day. One fine monument in sketch form is surmounted by tho winged' figure of Victory, whilst against the main block of marble (on which is traced a plain cross)' there stands out a "Tommy" in full'kit in the thick of the fight. Then there are a few memorials which follow the Italian idea of setting tho work off with a semicircular terraced backing. These are very effective and very expensive. A cheap and eifectivo form of memorial is a memorial porch to a church, or a porched-gato, of which thero are few examples in this country. Ono of tho most striking schemes for commemorating tho war is the-replanning of that unedilying London block which lies immediately at the bauk of Westminster. A largo plan has been provided by the artist, who by the use of pleasant town-planning curves, has created a number of "Places"—Place Mons, Place Ypres, Place Australia, and so on. It is one of those beautiful dreams of a beautiful mind that is not likely to attain concrete- expression. There is olio war memorial (in picture) that one cannot but carry away in tho memory—tho ruins of the Ypres Cathedral. Planted among tho mounds of shattered masonry stands a sign bearing the wor<l3:— "This is holy ground. No stone of this place may bo taken away. ilt is a heritage for all civilised peoples." A somewhat flamboyant memorial is ono designed as a tribute "To the ranks of Kitchener's Army." It consists of marblo terraces, and ever so many steps leading to nowhere, the whole to form tho centrepiece of a now Military Collego, parade ground, etc. Tho layout of tho graves of British soldiers in France is well worth seeing. The photographs of tho graveyards which have como under tho Graves Commission show how reverently and beautifully this work has been, attended to. Tho stainedglass window designs and memorial tablet? -.ire all worth careful study. With the designs, Mr. ilurst-Seager has forwarded to the Government a. 6hort paper on "War Graves and Memorials," which may help visitors to grasp the spirit behind many of the ideas for commemorating the dead. Mr. Seagcr says: "It may be thought that tho academicians, in their desire to help iu tho erecting of worthy individual memorials, are opposed to tho Imperial War Graves Commission, scheme for the treatment of our national cemeteries. This is not so. I have found nothing but the, highest praiso expressed for tho scheme which the commission has adopted. It is recognised on tho part of those whoso opinions aro entitled to respect that if wo are to have any artistic expression in tho cemeteries as a whole, there must; bo uniform treatment under one control. The Imperial War Graves Commission ore acting under the advice of the highest art authorities in respect to the layout of the cemeteries and the design of the headstones and memorials, and have consulted the most eminent geologists in respect to tho choico of stone. They have' appointed resident architects and expert inspectors to ensure that the intentions of both artists and scientists shall be faithfully carried out. It 13 sincerely to be hoped, therefore, that tho forcibly expressed opinions of those persons who are fighting for supposed individual rights will not be allowed to interfere with the carrying out to a successful completion the excellent schemes which havo been prepared. The commission's intentions, briefly, are as follow i— "1. For each cemetery its Cross of sacrifice and Stone of Remembrance, tho latter bearing the quotation (Ecclesinsticus xliv, v. 14), "Their name liveth for evermore." "2. For each grave its enduring headstone, carved with the symbol of tho dead man's faith, his name and rank, bis regimental badge, and whatever text or inscription his relatives inav add. (This inscription is restricted to sixtysix letters, the space between tho voids being counted as a, letter.) "8. In the cemetery building the register in wliich the man's birthplace, age, aiftl parentage can be recorded and referred to. "It must be clearly realised that my aim in nrAking tho collection of memorials is solely for the purpose of giving guidance to those who wish to erect individual memorials in the towns with which tho fallen ones have been essociated. Here individual treatment is not only entirely appropriate,' but should be encouraged aud carried into execution under expert guidance. Wo want to avoid a repetition of tho inartistio memorials which wore erected to tho memory of'those who had frllen in the Boer War. Bad as many of our memorials in New Zealand are, we aro not singular in this, for there are, all over the world, equally bad memorials cTected at that timo showing tho very slight attention which was then given to this branch of art. Wo shall realise how extremely important it is that we should give the most careful study to the erection of suitable memorials if we consider that nothing in tho world can bo so completely and simply moving as tho record of dead greatness. Our task is to see that our dead aro worthily commemorated for our own sokes and for the sakes of those who como after. A memorial is not in my sense a. reward for the honoured dead— they luive a much nobler reward than that—but our memorials may, if they are worthy, kindle many an inspiration in those who study them. If wo commemorate, let us commemorate by a memorial which makes its appeal to our imagination through the sense of sight ' in tho most direct nnd simple way—by a memorial, which, by reason of its simplicity and force, can lie easily and gratefully remembered—and let its influence bo deepened by a simple inscription which makes'its appeal direct, to the heart. "No of sculptured story, no flamboyant imagery, could have mado that strong appeal to the nation which was made by the simple force and dignity of the Whitehall with its deoply impressive inscription "Our Glorious Deed"; equally improssivo will be tho simple altar-stone, or stono of remembrance, to be placed, as abovo stated, in all tho cemeteries of Franco. There have been erected in connection with many village halls and churches throughout England simple shrines formed of a strong frame enclosing vertical panels for the names of'the fallen and inscriptions, and protected abovo by a pent roof or gable. At the boHoiu n shelf is fixed for holding vases of flowers, and doors are sometimes hinged to the outer edge of tho frnr .. which may lie closed nt night. Sometimes a lamp ' 9 suspended, which gives greater nvideiice of tender care, and adds to the impiessivencss of the memorial. How much lietter is such a simple expression than flic imported marbio statue which finds a very unfitting place. In many of our small Domininu towns. Among Uie collection forwarded will be Inund ninny memorials of a simplo character which may suggest a suitablo treatment for those to bo erected in the Dominion. On the- other hand, there aro.many that while not suggesting n mi liable treatment, are, nevertheless, in-

tercsting as showing what is considered by British artists to be worthy of erection where suitable environment and ample funds aro available. "There were in tho Academy far too many memorials of what may be called tho 'snapshot' variety—memorials, that is. which in their sculpture depict violent action and warlike scenes such as an instantaneous photograph would produce. Such memorials carry our thoughts and feelings far away from the purpose of their erection. Our intorest at once centres on the sculpture which will please us in degree according to tho skill in execution. In tho same way, many of the memorials give evidence. that the sculptors have forgotten tho limitations of their art. Sculpture can only convey abstract ideas to a very limited extent. If the symbolism is not simple and direct—if a verbal interpretation is wessary—then it fa : .ls in its purpose. Wo do not want dramatic realism; wo do not want as war memorials even nobly conceived elaborn'.o examples of the sculptor's art. If ever thepe was an occasion which calls for that 'art which conceals art' it is this ono. Our memorials should be, as far as possible, tho work of the artist as craftsman rathei than as designer. We havo in tho Dominion, and there are also b the Com. monwealth of Australia, many artist craftsmen who are well able to enshrine, in simple, dignified forms, the feelings which tho occlusion calls forth. Thero should lie no striving after _ claborato conventions, no desire to astonish by the wealth of matcrinl and cost of execution, The simpler the form, both in material and inscription, the more artistic it is likely to-bo. The valuo of works of art is often in inverse ratio to tho amount of money expended on their production." From 10 a.m. to-day the exhibition of designs will bo on view at tho Dominion Museum for a fortnight.