The Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 6, 24 August 1928, Page 12

The Annotations of Annabel

PEAREST: The fences are down at the time of writing. Not our spiritual fences, those enjoined upon femininity by insistent pastors and masters; but the material fences set betwixt us and the man-and, more particularly, the woman-next door. Last week in Wellington’s fair city it blew half a gale, and great was the toll by way of minor wreckage which, though short of tragedy, was yet infinitely devastating to a safe serenity. Treasured privacy was wrested from us, barriers of hedges were swept away; and our coming and goings raked by windows of our neighbours, who doubtless felt equally resentful, however guiltless one might be of the prying and peering sometimes allied with open-eyed proximity. What with storms and tempest, feeling triste as we do in bidding farewell to enchanting Poletti and Flor, Rota’s beguiling voice and person, Scamuzzi’s dramatic force and magnificent baritone, all the musical delight of the Fuller-Gonsalez com-bination-which assuredly has given us of the best, altogether avoiding the "muck" prescribed by Dame Nellie Melba for her fellow countrymen, as revealed by certain up-to-the-minute memoirs-we have sought distraction, in a Poster Exhibition advertising other climes and gentler zephyrs than those at present raging round New Zealand. N the temporary studio of Miss Winifred Guy, bird of passage from overseas, are to be seen eminently arresting examples of modern poster work in England and the Continent. At the opening of this exhibition many well-known people were to be seen, including representatives of the Victoria League, under whose aegis the show takes place, while Sir James Allen, introducing the exhibitor in brief, illuminating sentences outlined the raison d’etre of Miss Guy’s tour of the world, and the genesis of the present beautiful and widely scoped posters. Commercial Art is in its infancy in our Dominion, and this revelation of possible achievement must prove an incentive. Lamorna Birch, R.W.S., whose lovely lakes and islands need no introduction, finds fascinating exemplification; while Yeend King so pictures the lure of Lladudno that, wistfully viewing, an overwhelming desire to go thither is born. Illustrating that great corporation, the L.M.S., Maurice Griffenhagen employs noble design and colouring in the "Gateway to Scotland’’; and also for this far-reaching organisation are

poster designs by names to conjure with in the world of art. For a British Industries ‘‘ad.’"’? (to use the vernacular of commerce) Clausen, R.A., exploits his incomparable talent in dark, symbolic visualisation of miners, curiously arresting in design and execution. [NVITING to immediate odyssey: of the wide world is a blazing Cunard poster; and who could resist the gay grace of 18th Century beau and belle of Bath, who under light of crescent moon extol the delights of that salubrious resort ? On behalf of the Zoo, green-clad Littlest One marvels at fish of supernatural slipperiness; while a historic English Cathedral is seen in its nobility of exterior and interior beauty; and no one would doubt Brussels as ideal holiday bourne when its loveliness is placarded by the brush of Leonard Richmond, R.O.I. Fain would I have lingered, but with ravished glance at a memorable, characteristic specimen of the daring drawing of Brangwyn, and an _ advertisement of Canada, all force, truth and virility, I went forth more than ever impressed with the resources of our Empire, and with a far, fine hope one day to see some aspects of the world so magnificently illustrated by present-day advertising. IMIS interesting to find, in a late booster of broadcasting and eloquent speaker at the microphone, a great Chief of the Gold Coast, who lately intrigued London, whither travelled this dark giant in order to receive his knighthood from the English King. Sir Orfon Alta is a Hercules in bronze, who on occasion dons royal crown and draperies of gleaming gold and green. It would seem he carries, if not his heart, his soul upon his silken sleeve; being attended ai all functions by his materialised ‘‘soul’’ -an aloof-eyed, copper-skinned limpet- who may, or may not, prove an enviable spiritual asset, but meantime doubtless is to be regarded as a stepping-stone towards salvation. N Germany, also, the old order changes, and placid house-keeping frau emerges into open-air enthusiast, divesting herself of clothing on many beaches, together with her brood, with engaging publicity; while dull, flaxen-haired school-girls, pursuing their studies, shed unnecessary habilamenits until little but shoes and stockings remain of old, respectable vestments. Your

ANNABEL

LEE