The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-14

a
ak given before the Sketch Club last
Thursday. The subject Of the talk was
Municipal Art" and Matthews was in
PRODUCED by the president Of the club.
Miss Bremen, as the man Hof ali most
Qualifled to speak on this theme with
authority II was a serious subject.
ne said, In that il had TO do with the
rebuilding OF the city 1t was no child's
play, nor even artists play. As an
earnest expression OF his affec-
tion for his home city. Mat
theWs remarked that he would
rather live and work in San Francisco
than wear medals in Paris. and he
knew, because he had tried both. He
had not stayed in San Francisco be-
cause he could not get away. but be-
cause he wanted 10 stay. The city
was not gone, he said, but only the
houses. So long as there was a rea-
son for the existence Of q CITY. that
city must last, and there were undying
reasons why San Francisco must exist
on the old site.
Tolstoi had said that the best art was
that which appealed to the greatest
number Of people. There was art in
everything. from shoemaking to philos-
ophy.
In rebuilding the city there were
three things TO be considered-trade.
art and common justice. Ii was above
all necessary to consider the topog-
raphy OF the city The natural center
OF san Francisco is the foot Of Market
street and though the Government had
tried TO establish an artificial center by
building a S3.000-000 pOstofice on the
corner Of Seventh and Mission. il had
been obliged TO establish a temporary
pOstOfilce at the ferry and was spend
ing large sums IN transporting mail
between the two. The next center OF
Importance was the califOrnia-street
hill.
The Burnham plans were criticised
for their aruhcialitg and their disre-
gard Of existing conditions. In taking
them up after the earthquake the arti-
fetal features had not been eliminated:
some good ideas had been added, but
would most likely be stranded on the
short-sig htedness OF the property own
ers. IN paying his respects TO the
property owners Of San Francisco the
speaker touched on how men OF Euro
pean cities scheme and intrigue for the
purpose OF getting the streets adjoin-
ing their property widened. realizing
how much II would add to the value of
their holdings. New Montgomery street
should undoubtedly be widened
L Americans often make the mistake
~ thinking that there is nothing ar
tlstic IN America, while the French are
n suDremely artistic people. There are
elements Of art IN every community
and IL Is the duty OF those who know
10 foster and bring il out
The small, medieval towns grew tlp
naturally around the town square as q
civic center. not because il had been
planned out so, but because the church
the JAIL the town hall, the inns and the
marts OF trade centered there for con-
venience sake. BY and by the artist
stepped IN and embellishee il, and the
people OF those DAYS let them do so. be-
har -
time, unfortunately, they DO know
worse.
In a comparison between Paris and
London Matthews asserted that London
IN the irregularity OF q natural growth
is a far more artistic city than Paris
He spoke feelingly OF the deadly mo-
notony OF the Paris Streets relieved
only by the green trees, and grew sar-
castle on the subject OF those who sac
rfhce individuality to the doubtful glory
OF being called a small Paris In the
case Of San Francisco. II is true that
the topography OF the city demands
curved streets, but there is nothing to
be gained by superimposing the curved
boulevards upon the gridiron plan IN
DER which we are already suffering
The curved streets OF the cities OF the
old world were simply the result OF
tearing down the old city walls, leaving
the space which was then naturally
succession OF triangles was not more
beautiful than the checker board plan.
The speaker gave some hard hits at
1tle Art Association in particular and
institutions in general As an exam
pie. he mentioned the influence OF the
French Academy Of Architecture which
was responsible for fostering a habit
OF making great schemes. while the
ordinary ry-day buildings were al
lowed 10 degenerate into shop archi-
lecture"
All honor TO tie women artists Of
San Francisco. To them belongs the
credit OF planning the first general art
exhibition after the disaster of last
spring. The annual exhibition OF the
sketch Club. TO which, with few nota-
hle exceptions the women artists Of the
city belong. has always been one OF the
events Of the year. This year, however,
ID IS OF q particular importance, mas
much as the club has opened wide its
hospitable doors. not only to members,
but TO outsiders as well. Individual
invitations have been sent to all the
men and women artists of the city, and
Il is expected that there viii be gen.
eral response. There IS no Mark Hop
kins now, none OF the facilities for ex-
Inhibition enjoyed before the fire, and
the members Of the sketch Club there
community at large which they can
best fulfill by extending the privilege
of joining in their exhibition TO all who
wish 70 take part A prize Of $50 is Of
fered for the best poster design OF not
more than three printings. Prelimi-
nary sketches of the design In black
and white. with accompanying color
scheme. must be at the clubrooms not
later than January 10
Last Thursdays meeting was the nfst
held since the fire with the exception
OF q house warming when the club took
possession Of it's new quarters at 1919
California street. A series OF lectures
on the subject OF municipal art VIII
be given at the meetings on the after
noon of the second Thursday Of each
month. The life class meets on Tues
day. "wednesday and Friday mornings
and is open TO others besides the mem
bers OF the club.
The Sketch Club before the fire own
ed what was considered the best art
library on the coast II was the result
Of wears OF effort, and ft viii probably