Evening star., 1926-10-07
THE NORTH WINDOW
By Leila MechIin.

It is an interesting fact that when
art is spoken of. the majority OF per-
sons Immediately think of pictures.
The truth is, however, tnat palhtihss
represent only one phase of art, ana
the same elements which constitute
merit in a work in this medium are
to he found in many other forms OF
art expression.
Maude Adams, in the latest Install
ment of her biography running serial
ly in leading periodical tells or the
enormous help she received III put
ting on some of her productions from
the late John w. Alexander, at one
time president of the National Acao-
emy of Design, and his wife, Eliza
beth Alexander. Miss Adams aonlts
that she had not dreamed that there
could be such whole-hearted help IN
the world as these two gave. Sne
had hesitated to ask Mr.. Alexander
cooperation because, though she
knew he loved the theater, he was
an extremely busy man, on all sorts
Of committees, interested in every
thing civic and philanthroplc.
How true this is. Never was any
one more public spirited than he. the
School Art League of New YORK.
which has done so great a service
bringing art and opportunities 1of
its st,dy and better understanding to
thousands upon thousands of public
school children. passed through ltS
initial stages Of organization unoer
his leadership. No young painter
came to him for advice without pe,
ing given friendly reception; ne coulu
never bear to turn any one away.
But he was an artist. first and always,
SSkic Adams
brought to him and his talented wife
We're essentially in his field. Not
only did he help her in the costumlng
of Peter Pam" but, she says. from
that day until his death gave his
great knowledge and enthusiasm TO
every play that was produced by her
company" He would draw and re-
draw the lines of q head-dress until
it gave exact expression to the face
under it, Mrs. Alexander would
follow, inch by inch, with her scls-
sors." ':Mr. Alexander knew the lines
the material should take; Mrs. Alex
ander knew how to get them"
4 X X X
To Mr.. Alexander Miss Adams gives
the credit for having recognized, in
the work J. Monroe Hewlett was DO
ing with gauZe scenery, a new Idea
and a great advance. 1t was this idea
that made it possible for Peter Pan
to tour the smaller cities and to be
presented with just the right setting
of ethereal mystery.
Mr.. Hewlett, it will be remembered,
is distinguished architect, a member
of the American Institute of Archl-
tectS and at the same time mural
painter. 1t was he who planned. the
superb pageant which took place here
under the auspices Of the American
Institute of Architects when the
medal of honor of that institution was
presented to Henry Bacon by the
President of the United States on the
steps of the Lincoln Memorial. This
is as it should be. The great artists
of the past lent their talents to the
designing of costumes and pageantry
in the golden days of the Renaissance
in Italy. Also, it will be remembered,
they did not consider it beneath them
to turn to craft work, rendering in
metal, stone and pottery works of
rare beauty and artistic value.
x x X
There is great possibility of coop
Grafton between artists, not only in
the production of plays presented on
the legitimate stage, but in moving
pictures. which within the last IL
years have become so popular a
source of entertainment. Some nota-
BILE artists have turned their attention
in this direction. Hugo Ballin, who
Is represented in the Evans collection
in the National Gallery of Art by a
superb painting, THE Sibylla Euro
pa spent several years in Hollywood
cooperating with motion picture pro
ducers. But, by and large, the pro-
ducerS generally have not realized the
service. at their command in this field,
or the value of it. 1t is for this rea-
son that so few of the films do more
than tell a tale; and it is safe to as
sert that it is the ignorance of the
public in matters artistic which per-
mits such pictorial crudity to find ac-
ceptance.
No doubt this condition will be al
tered; it is being altered now. Not
only do some of the better films man.
ifest art in the matter of composition.
design and arrangement, but lately
the element of color has been brought
IN and beautifully used. Especially
is this to be remarked in some of the
scenes in the film of "Ben.Hur. !"
which Is now having a first showing
in this city.
The tendency of the moving pic.
ture is to take the kernel from a.
work OF literature and present it with
poSterllke precision, but one NAV
note an evidence of increasing con-
sclOusneSs of the fact that, when held
within bounds, the embellishment Of
art adds attraction and enhances
value. The real artist, whether he is
a writer or painter, sculptor, an
archltect or musician, finds delight
In and demonstrates his genius while
embroidering, his theme.
1t is interesting to know that
Maude Adams has been co-operatinp
with the Metropolitan Museum of
Art in the production of certain
cinema films, the purpose of which
IS 10 bring knowledge of art
usually to the people, to educate bv
amusing. One of these films inst
completed depicts the making of not
terry. The scene is laid in a potter's
shop in the middle of the last CEN
tury, with the potter at work on q
kick wheel.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
started this work four years ago. If
now has films on Egyptian art on
arnor and its use in the ancient
uays. on Greek art, on French.
Italian and Chinese art, the making
OF leaded glass, etc. These are shown
at the museum on Tuesday and
Inursaay afternoons at O'Clock.
says the bulletin of that great
museum: thousands of people are
looking Tor motion pictures which
nave artistic, instructive and enter.
tanning value, but the average motion
picture producer does not show ,sucb
MINIS. He has overlooked this latent
pubic and has sought to please only
those who enjoy the type of pictures
now generally shown, with their
cneap love scenes and impossible
plots. Not only can these novine