Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-30

| Uncle Sam has de-
vfsed novel method for preserving the
| forms of such uncivilized types as remain
| for the view of posterity. But a few days
| ago was commenced in this city the manu-
| lecture of the first of a collection of plas-
| ter Of Paris figures in which will be re-
produced every detail Of measurement, ex-
preston, colo ring, costume and armament
Of representative types of all the red ma
tons now fourishing The work will be
the first of the kind to combine the ex-
actness of science with the grace of art.
Reproductions of the human form have
heretofore had a sentimental rather than
an educational purpose.
From each of the tribes an Indian best
representing the warrior type is to be
Photographed and measured and plaster
mods are to be made from his limbs, head
and body. From these data several sculp-
tors and clay modelcrs in WASHINGTON
are TO complete the figures in lfe-lke color
ana form. The result, it is predicted
VIII be the handsomest and most realistic
collection Of lay figures ever made in the
world. When completed they Will be in
stalled in Uncle Sans great treasure
less lre CT the elements destroy. they will
stand for centuries after the Indian OF
real life has fallen into oblivion.
Photographic Studies.
The work has begun under direction of
the bureau of ethnoIogy and of Professor
Otis Mason of the National Museum The
progress in modelling each figure will be
closely watched by an ethnoIogist who
has made study of the particular tribe
to which the subject belongs as well as Of
the subject himself. Hereafter govern
ment ethnologists going into the field will
collect the necessary data The artistic
ilpl mil Ia
the direction of Mr.. William Dinwiddie
the governments expert no-photogra-
pher, VINO has made remarkable photo
graphic studies of the principal Indian
tribes of this country. Mr.. Dinwiddfe will
60 out with the more important ethnologi-
cal expeditions and will take face masks
ana limb and body molds OF such types as
are selected.
In addition TO this he will make an inter
estins departure in photography whereby
he will furnish the sculptors and modelers
the most complete proportional data which
the camera has ever before furnished for
such work. This will be obtained by a de-
vice original with Mr.. Dinw:ddie 1t may
be widely adapted to future artistic work
whereby sculpture, drawing, painting or
other illustrations are made from photo
graphs. The instrument is known as the
lTe-screen. 1t IS simply a symmetrical
square frame of wood resembling some
what an ordinary moSquito-nct sash for a
window or door. Instead of the wire heavy
linen thread is used. This connects CORE
sponulng graduate of scales made on the
II ner edges of the frame.
The greatest care is exercised to have these
lines exactly parallel at right angles
Two siZes of frames will be used in pho
togfaph!ng the human figure. That for the
lace VIII be divided into squares one-half
inch on side. In the other for the body
and limbs the squares will measure two
inches on side. The proportions of the
features and the lines of expression in the
race are, OF course, much more difficult for
the modeler to reproduce than the curves
and poses of the other parts.
.r'- Scale of the Face.
The method by which the inventor saws
he will apply these screens will be simply
to set them in an exactly vertical plane in
front of the subject, and close to him as
possible. For the plaster models three
views Will be taken-front, back and pro-
file-the subject remaining in the same pose
all the while. When the photographs are
harded to the modelers they will have be-
fore them complete scale on the face of
each. By setting up similar screens before
the model the most complete comparisons
may be made.
The line-screen will also be useful in
studying the actual changes in the sizes
and positions of the muscles, when applied
in serial snap shots of athletes in action
1t would also correctly show the angles
which the limbs assume during any kind
of action. BY its means artists might learn
much regarding the proportions and atti-
tudes of forms, animate or inanimate. The
ingenious ethno photographer further saws
that he Will carry with him into the field a
level device in the shape of portable
field studio, an adaptation of his own. 1t
Will not be a luxury on wheels like the SUBJ
urban tin-type gallery, but will be rolled
up and carried under the arm
1t Will consist of large canvas tent
having openings in the top and sides. con-
trolled by curtains. 1t is his further pur-
pose to take into the field a new invention
the phantascope-an improvement on the
camera by which serial films are taken for
the kaleidoscope or vitascope. The phan-
tascope contains set of lenses which nm
like those of the other instruments mem
toned. travel at the same rate of speed as
the films. In this way is overcome the in
convenience of stopping the film between
each exposure. 1t will prove of great value
in studying Indians in action, showing
every detail of their industries and re-
lgiouS ceremonials.
With an Indian Warrior.
The first of the new figures of actual
warrior types was commenced several DAYS
ago. The subject who posed for this fac
simile was Mate-wa-nak-t taxa, alias Kick
ing Bear, the fighting chief Of the Ogal-
lalla Sioux