The New York herald., 1921-04-10

with the growth of these arts and with
the fuller recognition by the professions
represented in the leagues membership
OF our privileges, duties and oppoNuni-
ties. In the earlier years the exhibitions
of the league required little intcrpreta-
ton. They consisted principally IN
drawings of buildings usually water
color paintings of more or less ambi-
tious character, some sculpture and a
small amount Of decorative painting. in
teresting as marking, year by year, the
changing point of view, the broadening
horizon of the American artist. Within
the last five or six years, however. this
steady growth has brought the league
t. the point from which II sees its true
function, its proper goal and is pursuing
a definite policy IN directing It's progress
in that direction. In pursuance of that
policy 1t has given several exhibitions
which have aroused comment favorable
and the reverse, and the league has per-
mtted its aims and the meaning of its
exh bitions to be interpreted to the pub
lie by agencies outside its own body. It
is time for the league itself to speak.
Progress In Architecture.
I'VE have definitely established tho
pclcy of making an exhibition which
shall indicate year by year the progress
made in the art OF architecture. The ele-
ments of such an exhibition are many
and various in form, in color and in di-
mension. We endeavor to arrange these
elements so as TO produce a pleasing and
harmonious ensemble.
1--WE believe that architecture includes
everything within and about a building,
from the foundation to the ridgepole,
ffom the ash hoist to the last tendril in
the painted decoration of the drawing
room. We believe that the art OF archi-
ecture Is not to be expressed solely nor
ven principally by the exhibition of
drawings Of architecture. for the archi-
tect knows better than any one else that
fis drawings are merely the means by
which he reaches his end. which is the
executed building. An exhibition Of ar
chitectural drawings only is precisely
to one in which furniture
makers would exhibit the tools with
which furniture is made and omit the
furniture itself. IL is not possible TO
exhibit whole buildings. but it Is possible
to show, for those who are technically
the drawings OF the building
made before the building was built, and
for the general public the photographs
of the structure as executed. and such
movable, portable parts OF it as are Of
artistic or practical interest and value.
Some architects, usually nQR-mem-
bers OF the league. as well as lay critics,
have expressed wish for a return TO
purely architectural exhibition. It Is
difficult to see what such an exhibition
would contain, and interesting to specu-
late upon. We suppose 1t would consist
solely in geometrical plans, elevations
and sections. and perspectives in the
various media of architectural presen-
tation. The contributing arts OF paint
ing and sculpture. the work or the
craftsmen in glass, faience, bronze.
wrought iron, textiles, leather. would
presumably be banished from purely
exhibition. This very linn
tied horizon is not that OF the Archi-
tectural League OF New York, which Is
seeking to unite in fellowship the prac-
titoners of all these arts and crafts to
the end that ever-improving leadership
in the arts may be developed and placed
at the service Of the nation"