Evening star., 1933-12-24
p. v. A. TO INSPIRE
. MODERN|ST|C ART,
ILLINOIS FEARS
Clash of Several Schools
Foreseen in Creations for
Public Buildings.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CHICAGO, December 23.-Curiosity
not unmixed with apprehension, awaits
the public art program which is about
to begin in Illinois under the auspices
of the p. w. A. Thus far 140 needy
painters and sculptors have been en-
rolled on probation at the Chicago
headquarters They are now engaged in
preparing designs for murals, easel pic
lures and statuary for post Offices and
other edifces of public nature.
The committee in charge of the work
has announced that there will be no
discrimination among the several schools
OF art-academic, impressionist, cubist
and modernist The merit Of the work
in its own particular classification will
be the sole criterion. The artist whose
genius runs to designs which may re-
Semble nothing capable of being recog-
nEed by mortal eye will stand equal
chance with the devotee of strict rep
resentation who reproduces land
scape with conscientious fidelity TO
nature.
It seems probable that among the
groups are goodly number of those
who lean toward the modernistic,
Some anxiety is felt because the more
or less conservative artist is less likely
to be among the unemployed than the
artist who has pursued modernism as
a short cut to sensational achievement.
Modernism vs.. Public.
There are many communities in Illi-
rois where good modernism has its
coterie Of admirers, but seldom is that
coterie representative Of public taste in
general. The great majority of those
who know what they like" retain a
strong prejudice for paintings in which
representation is really recognizable,
and pleases because of its resemblance
to familiar things. That may be bour-
geois, but so is the public.
Few persons are mean enough to
grudge the impecunious artist the
chance given him by the P. w. A. Some
optimistic persons see in the recogni-
ton Of his need a recognition by gov
eminent OF his value to the community
and hail that acknowledgment as the
promise of a new and brighter era for
American art But there are OBJ
Jectors.
ChicagOan Protests.
A man who represented himself as
president of an association of scenic
artists recently protested vigorously
against the plan for public employ
ment of workless users of palette and
chisel. He argued that if public
buildings were to be ornamented, the
persons to do the work should not be
those who had failed to find livelihood
in their art. He somewhat discounted
the force Of his contention, however,
by suggesting that a sad slump in
drama locally had worked hardship
upon those of his own particular craft,
and that they should be given the op-
portunity which was going to the easel
painters.
Meantime what many consider the
more practical fruits Of c. w. A. re-
lief are making themselves evident
throughout Illinois. Public buildings
are being repaired and painted, much
useful work Is being done in parks and
forest preserves, unemployed teachers
are being enrolled for adult education
classes, and O. w. A. pay checks are
bringing welcome payment to many
merchants who have extended credit
beyond the limit of safety. There is
already a new feeling of hope that fits
well into the spirit of the season.