NEW ORDER IN ART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1943, Page 2

NEW ORDER IN ART

POST-WAR CAMPAIGN PLANNED REBUILDING OF EUROPE BUSY LIFE FOR ARTISTS . VISUALISED “The New Order in Art” was the subject of an address given at last night’s gathering of the Masterton Art Club by Mr S. B. Maclennan, A.R.C.A. New schemes of decoration, he said, would be necessary in the rebuilding of Europe and the artist would be a busy, practical and useful person. “Art flourishes in time of peace and If we are to look for a new order it will be the result of movements temporarily impeded by the war,” said Mr Maclennan. “Art is never static but moves and changes, becomes good or bad as conditions of life alter. Egyptian art Avas closely connected with architecture and religious ideas and expressed in massive stone the qualities prized by the peoples of the Old Testament. Greek art glorified the pagan delight in the perfection of human form and movement. Christianity brought Byzantine art and a return to symbolism, since the naturalism of the Greeks was unsuitable for the expression of religious ideas and the representation of saints and angels not of the earth. Then came the Renaissance and the revival through Rome of the Greek ideal adapted to Christian expression. The study of perspective and anatomy and the discovery of oil painting made possible a degree of naturalism never before achieved and the inevitable introduction of non-religious subjects. This new technique was so absorbing that the grand traditions of design and craft from the medieval age were sacrificed and subject matter became trivial and art detached from life. /; Art for art’s sake’ became the cry. “About 100 years ago,” Mr Maclennan said, “the pre-Raphaelites attempted to stop the drift and William Morris in particular preached and practised the return to the medieval attitude and the revival of craft. Tie inspired many disciples Avith the result that eminent artists devoted themselves to industrial design. That this very healthy attitude has been widely adopted Avill be realised readily if we consider that about 75 per cent of the eminent artists selected to be official war artists in Britain are normally engaged in industry. They are book illustrators, poster artists, pottery designers, mural painters, fabric designers and most of them part-time teachers. The Central Institute of Art and Design fosters the movement and already has planned a post-war campaign. The rebuilding of Europe, the use of new materials and the application of prefabrication will make necessary wide research. NeAv schemes of decoration will be necessary. The artist will no longer paint' in the solitude of his attic, but will be a busy, practical and useful person.” Mr Maclennan Avas heartily thanked for his address.