Evening star., 1937-05-12
NEGLECT Of ARTS
At FAIR RESENTED
Leon kro|| of National ACad-
emy Calls New York Slight
Outrageous.

ObSl oSNVuos
Failure to provide for adequate rep
resentation Of the fine arts in plans for
the 1899 world fair in New York is
an outrageous slight on the artists
of this country, Leon Kroll, member Of
the National Academy OF Art. today
told the American Federation of Art
Convention at the Wardman Park
Hotel
Kroll, who recently took first prize
at the Carnegie Institute exhibit in
Pittsburgh and is nearing completion
OF his murals in the Justice Depart
ment, said the New York omission
would present America to the world
just as a great part Of the rest of the
world expects, and some Of it hopes it
will be presented, confirming their
idea Of us that nothing is of any
value here unless it brings profit to
big business. The blunt truth is that
the fair is planned by bushes men
to sell more radios, automobiles, imita-
ton pearl bath room arrangements,
lighting fixtures and other articles
aiiuSA viz SttAoC VI
title called The World of Tomorrow
When protests were made by art
institutions puSsyfooting re-
plies came from the fair administra-
ton authorities, evading the issue and
promising no adequate consideration
for the fine arts-using the excuse
that art is so well represented at New
York galleries and by New York deal
ers, that there is no necessity for ac-
centing it. Just as though practically
all the commercial objects, such as
automobiles, electrical equipment, etc,
which will be accented all over the
fair, cannot be seen on any main
street.
Unfair to Country.
1T is unfair to the country to have
these commercially-min people
pose as prophets. It is unfair to use
the money of the national, State and
municipal governments only for their
purposes. We are misled-and those
in charge also are in error-in claim
ing that the whole fair will be work
Of art"
Kroll compared the New York Fair
plans to those for the fair scheduled
TO open in Paris in few weeks, where
two magnificent buildings will house
the best in contemporary French art.
THE French do not fear accenting
art-to their great advantage" he
said.
Discussing trends in modern art,
kroll told the convention that the
abstract ideas in art today should not
be overemphasized and that tradi-
tional art should be taken into con-
sideration in painting. The best
qualities Of both should be combined
If mature art is to be realized, he
said.
Miss Halle Flanagan, director of
the Federal Theater project, told the
convention that theater and govern
ment were gradually becoming ac-
customed to shotgun marriage" and
that the project must wake up and
grow up to an age Of social con-
sciousness when government has the
responsibility of aiding the people
esthetically"
Pan-American art was to be dis
cussed before the convention this
afternoon in an effort to clarity the
ties existing between the North and
South American continents through
art
With Ricardo ]. Alfaro, former
PRESIDENT OF Panama, presiding, the
delegates were to hear Roland j. Nc
Kinney, director Of the Baltimore Mu-
scum Of Art; Hector Diaz Leguizamon.
secretary Of the Argentine Embassy;
Concha Romero James, chief of the
Division of Intellectual Cooperation,
Pan-American Union, and Alma Reed,
Delphic Studios, New York.
Other speakers at the morning ses-
sion were Miss Ruth Reeves, textile
designer, who took up industrial tex
tile designing and Miss Evelyn Ger
stein, film critic and lecturer whose
topic was "The Cinema"
Humorous "Chalk Talk"
A humorous Chalk talk by Clifford
X. Bergman, cartoonist for The Star,
In which he sketched celebrities in
the Capital, and discussion of tex
tiles by M. d. C. Crawford of Fair
child Publications, were features of a
semi-social gathering last night at
the residence Of George Hewitt Myers,
23l0 S street, at whose home Is the
Textile Museum of the District.
The Committee on Nominations
was to present its slate of officers this
afternoon.
No stand on the advocacy Of the
proposed Jefferson Memorial was
taken by the convention after a report
OF the Resolutions Committee. OFF,
Gals declared it was not within the
province Of the organization to favor
or oppose such matters, but merely to
promote discussion pro and con with
an eye to keeping the subject alive.
A visit to Washington Cathedral oc-
cupied delegates in the latter part Of
the afternoon, followed by tea in the
bishops garden as guests Of the All
Hallows'. Guild.
Members of the federation will be
guests OF Robert Woods Bliss, first vice
president, and Mrs Bliss at their
home, Dumbarton Oaks, this after
noon. A reception consisting of a
musicale and private view of exhibits
will occupy the federation this eve
ming at the Phillips Memorial Gal
ley.