New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
A NEW SALON.
WHEREIN THE MODERN SPIRIT Is TO
REIGN

works OF decorative art. exhibited under cohui-
tlons which should have as mucr az possible OF
the cosiness and refinement. the lighting ana
general effect OF a home. This is one OF the main
points OF NJ Bi1gs programme for the trans
formation OF his we-known little hotel In the
Rue de Provence into a salon de Tart nouveau.
The discussions between Bing and some o, the
prominent artists more specially concerned snow
the keen interest felt by all In this new and prom
ising departure and the vhole-hearted entnusi-
asm with which NJ Bing enters upon his new
task
The little house in the Rue de Provence is
known TO all art lovers as the headquarters OF
Japanese art. and NJ. Bling IL known to many "a
tho enthusiastic devotee and enlightened coIec-
tor to whom the introduction Of japanese art to
tho notice Of Europe has been nothing short OF
mission. who is moreover always ready to merge
the visitor into the friend 10 be taken home ana
shown the priceless collections in his private
housa lis choice and full collection calls TOT
serious study. There is a special room Tor prints
snug retreat where there is just about room
for dozen chairs between the long centre taDie
and the cases that line the room. the otheT
rooms are two parlors and dining-room. Inc
principal parlor is fitted W in free adaptation u
Japanese ideas, with special aicove Tor the ais
play of art treasures. where different kakeWoHos
or stufs are hung in rotation, while a 10" u'lS
hoors bronzes and lars and a tall slender white
vase almost human in its grace and nobility or
hearing It is called by Mr.. Whistler the venus
Milo OF vases" Another gem Of the collection Is
the large bronze Kuwannon tthe Japanese sou
or goddess Of contemplating on pedestai III an
other corner. 1t IS young kuwannon, gracelui
and pensive. she is seated. cross-iegged' IN
lotus flower with one finger crossing her chin. in
'ha
LET into the walls one or two Only on each wall.
with one or two embroderes etc. They are
s,mpIv framed and lined with dark rich plush,
and the objects are disposed on shelves Of pro-
nortionate height Small electric lamps. hidden
in the walls pour their light along each shelf,
making the bronzes and worries and lacquers glow
IN a magic radiance. The Fight Is everywhere
made a soIrce Of unexpected and refined beauty
~ effect Thus the windows have rich. dull
salmon-colored or old gold shades. glowing with
light from behind This is the light shed over the
Kuwannon.
Taste and inventivnness and refined decorative
sense will, OF course be invaluable adJuncts 1T
the difficult enterprise which " Bing contem-
plates II Is not only a question or arranging
fav rooms in an effective way: this IS to be the
home and the hearth Of the art nouveau. i
should like to bring together" says NJ Bins'
"in suitable rooms all kinds Of productions OF
really modern art-of pure art and OF applied art
decorative objects, furniture objects OF USE etc
all in the congen.al atmosphere or homeilKe SUI
roundings II must be shown that modern art II
canahIe ~ making rooms look cosey." The invi-
tation issued says: "Seront admlses tou'es ieS
oeuvres dart qui mainfesterent une conception
on accord avec resprit moderne. To NJ blhs
no imitation OF an historic style can be In ac-
A
given any thought to the subject will see at once
what difficulties are involved in this principle,
dif'culties Of selection first, and Of arrangement
,f.eryard Where draw the line? Take Carr.ess
work for instance Of which the busts at the
Carturv Club NAV serve as an example. and
which certainly would not be excluded Can any
thing, he more personal more modern? Yet the
busts are inspired by late Gothic sculpture, the
notterv proceeds from the Japanese. On the
other hand It is true that servlle imitation OF
bygone styles never can give US original arr
and that tie still existing dematc Tor correct
ness OF style" is both foolish and hurtiul' Inc
ruhlic must be made 10 see that good piece OF
modern work will as fitly take its place IN theT
homes as an imitation Henri II buHet or an
toitation "Rococco" clock. This needs skill
Insight knack and taste Of arrangement just be-
cause Fart nouveau" has cot grown naturally as
did rhe old styles" in all their branches out OF
the influences round it.
In Nev-York We have had the exhibition OK
the Society Of Scuptors successful attempt
IA show how much better sculpture looks IN ap-
nr,oriata surroundings: the Champ de Mars IN
Paris has done its best 70 conform % the laws Oh
A more natural and tasteful arrangement d.
least Of 0bjets dart; The Salon or the Liore
Esthetique In little progressive Brussels Is
further step I'm advance in the same direcuon
tho new museums and exhibitions Of applied arts
show the same tendency. giving US az Tar as
possible typical interiors instead OF cut and
dried categories This principle is now to De APP
piled to the permanent salons of modern art
Ore is being started or arranged for in Berlin by
the ,ienassenschaft Pan. one in Paris by NJ. Bng.
and perhaps may soon see one IN NeW-fork
NJ. Bing's project Is We, the most important
one not only because it is in Paris. but because
Of the means at his command capital. insight.
taste veu-estab lishri relations 10 artists and
art patrons a suitable and well-known place Of
the right kind Most art-lcving visitors to Paris
know as | nave said. the pretty. old hotel at
tho corner of the Rue de Provence and the Rue
Ctauchat with its corner rotunda and entrance
nortico Outside it was allowed 10 remain Louis
Seize inside the open courtyard was trans
formed into A kind II vestibule with galleries or
balconies Of old wrought iron running round II.
somewhat like the cOurtyards OF some OF the Ola
Italian palaces, and with the same charm Oh
drapery Only here ii is not masses Of oleanler
and festoons Of creepers. but costly japanese
stufs and embroideries that hang down from
the balustrades This vestibue was the most
prominent feature Il the japanese exhibition.
Electric light has lately been put in: there Is
row a large Japanese ibis, with hVe electro
lights hanging down like large drops at the emu
Of slllien thread. from the beak. wings and feet
of the bird The wires are thus frankly made
a motive; they of unequal length and the
effect IL charming.
All the japanese things are 20 be taken down
some OF them sent away. all the choice ones left