The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-01
DECORATIONS BY
CRISP EXHIBITED
Walls Of Whitney Studio Arc
Rehung in Remarkably
Attractive Way.
ARTISTS "BATIK, SHOWN
Sculptures in Stone and Bronze
by Miss Hoffman Also
on View.

The new exhibition In Mrs. Harry
Payne whitney's studio on West Eighth
street 10 divided between the decorations
OF Arthur Crisp and the sculptures OF
Malvena Holman. The walls have been
rehung for the occasion. this time In
cafe au lait silks, and everything has
been done to show OF the objects on
display to the greatest advantage Tho
rooms present o remarkably attractive
appearance.
Mr.. Crisps large hanging designed
for the Hotel du Pont In Wilmington,
Del, makes the flrst claim as q novelty.
II IL a ''batik." That In. the coiors OF
the design, which portrays "Hospi-
tally" are applied one at time to the
silk background. the portion on which
the color is not desired being stopped of
with wax. The wax is removed and
reapplied to another portion OF the COM
position to stop of the next color. With
each color the wax has u be applied
ne required.
This is a tedious and exactins process.
as the South Sea Islanders who used to
decorate their skirts and headcloths In
this way knew but to carry out fac
sirnile Of a modern mural decoration In
this fashion required some courage, and
Mr.. Crisp had It.
II Has Painterlfke Effects.
His hanging Is brilliant with the colors
of modern impressionism. ana In spite
OF the conventions necessary to the
medium he has secured paintsrlike ef-
fects, especially in the heeh tints. The
drawing is not wonderful, however. In
any part of the work, and the compost
ton as such has thinness. 1t Ii only
when the artist gets away from his dg-
ures and I'D into tho foliage OF his treet
that he seems to rise above and com
,nand his medium The foliage has O
sturdy decorative quality that 10 pleas
ant
Miss Hoffman shows one or two groups
in stone and bronze, some portraits and
a figurine or two. As a sculptor Miss
Hoffman does we'll enough 70 get int
academical exhibitions but never wei
enough to become discussed. She pre-
sents nothing to the spectator that Il
worth debate.
To date her chief enthusiasm has beer
the Ballet Russo, and the Russian "bac
chanals" as danced by Pavlowa ant
Morlktn have been done in paper weigh
sizes from various points of view. ant
now at last has been enlarged to an ex
hibition height without, however, acquir
ing any more real weight. The idea o
these two figures flying before tn
Storm" which Is familiar TO ell In thu
picture at the Metropolitan. 50 beloved
OF AIRY and 'Arriet, managed once 4
get translated into art. thanks to thu
genius Of the two Russian dancers blu
under Miss Hoffmans fingers II slip
back again into the hopelessly common
place.
themes Worked Out TimidIy.
There is place for every sculpto
and work for that sculptor TO do. blu
Miss Hoffman has not found hers yet
Apparently she has never been disci
plined by criticism, or else has not prof
tied by It Her drawing is exceedingly
weak and the themes are worked out Il
q timid fashion. More serious than thai
though, is the general sugariness of tn
things she thinks worth putting int
stone or bronze.
The recent approach TO decision i
her work occurs in the portrait OF tn
Russian artist Anisfeld. but even her