Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-10-03
Said one to an artist:


ut must be hard to be an artist,
and have to be thinking up new ideas
all the timer"
Said the artist:
"You mistake. One does not grub
desperately for new ideas. The new
ideas come fitting in, oh so many
of them, and each insists on being
expressed in some outward form.
The artist has no peace-the idea
pursues him and will give him no
rest until it has been brought forth
in tangible form, in some way that
others can understand"
With the master craftsmen who
are working with furniture or fab
rics this is equally true. At the
Paris exposition of decorative arts,
opportunity was given to see the
new ideas that have been wrought
in wood, metal and materials OF
silk and cotton. And through the
courtesy of the museums of the large
cities in the United States, Americans
may see these new things first hand,
as these exhibits travel from city
to city.
Americans Are Sympathetic
1t has already been stated by one
lecturer on modern art that Ameri-
cans are appreciating and receiving
with pleasure and some degree of
sympathy these new things in furni-
ture, fabrics and ceramics. This is
gratifying to know because with all
the emphasis that has been placed on
period furnishing and the collection
of antiques, it would not be surprising
if these new creations were received
coldly and critically. 1t is even said
that Americans are more sympathetic
than Europeans in this respect.
It is always possible to produce
some very weird things when seek
ing novelty in any line of art. The
joy of the pieces in the collection
from the Paris exposition is that
so few are Objectionable in this re-
spect. And surely we know tnat to
be new does not mean the thing
has to be bad.
A general character of slimness
has been noticed among the pieces
+ shown, that is in the divans, chairs
S and low benches. This may be due
to the slim silhouette worn by the
ladies. And the vanity cases and
decorative tables correspond in CHAR
acter.
Beauty of material has. been
stressed. A cabinet depends Fror its
beauty upon it's proportions and the
lovely grain of it's wood for it's
effectiveness. Polished marble tops
have been used variously.
BatiIxed velvet For Hanging
Then, of course there are many,
many other lines of expression shown
in the exhibits. Batiked velvet forms
a wonderful hanging. A display Of
brasses in new designs for locks, key
holes and handles is worth studying,
as well as cases of bowls and vases
wrought in silver or glass or pottery
To one interested in fabrics the
new designs in printed silks and
linens will be found worth special
notice. Tapestries, rugs, brocades will
further intrigue his attention.
1t is said that novelties in design
may be introduced most easily IN
the ceramic arts. The human mind
adjusts itself to these, or perhaps
halfway expects new things to be
continually appearing in pottery, china
or glass. But 'tamper with accepted
designs in furniture at your own
risk!' says this slow thinking mind.
So the craftsmen must nit feel easily
discouraged. 1t is a matter Of history
that the transition period from one
style to another in decoration or
home furnishings is as long if not
longer than the preceding period.
Then let us receive the new art
with open minds, ready to see the
good it has produced and not reject
it because it Is, well, it has to be
different from our preconceived no.
tions.