COLOUR AND FATIGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2446, 27 June 1922, Page 4

COLOUR AND FATIGUE.

It is a well-known fact to medical men, psychologists and a few clever artists that interest in a pursuit or in our surroundings tends to prevent fatigue. "We can walk better and further on a sun-shiny pleasant afternoon* than we can on a nasty morning full of mist and drizzle. Why? Because the state of weather exercises some subtle influence on us, which is psychial as well as physical. A few strongwilled people can rise above the depression of most circumstances.

The majority* oPpersons will not despise the help that art may afford nature in ; -thiA'fespect. The joy of dancing arises by' allowing the rythm of the music to govern the rythmic * movement *of"the body. With music it is much easier to dance for

miles than walk a short distance without it. That is why the regimental band is so necessary in the army. Artistic rythm is added to natural motion, and fatigue is prevented. All colour and design in domestic and many other surroundings should be devoted to aiding nature by art. The use of art is to make easier the experiences of life —to give us more experience. The art of colour decoration, when used by a skilled psychologist, tends to bring forth that pleasant state of unconscious excitement which is the normal reaction to the play of art forces. It is possible to get bright and pleasing colours in our homes, to get simplicity and absence of jarring factors. Let all furnishing be straightforward, simple and direct; let all colour be clean, in tender or brilliant tones. As far as possible avoid greys, drab, browns and dark colours, except in small masses, as foils to brighter hues.

Do not bother with so-called “period styles,” which to no modern woman without unlimited wealth can ever expect to live up to. They either must be done properly or left alone altogether. In general, if. is far better to be simple, sanitary, sane, and sensible, choosing the object 1 of furniture for absolute utility and comfort first, and then demanding sound construction at reasonable'economical prices. It is better to have an object not ornamental at till than have a collection of''things, of which every one is. covered with ornaments of some kind or another, sometimes at the expense of sound construction. Relatively, plain things are often most expensive, but they are usually best in the end.