Evening star., 1938-09-04
BY Leila MechHu.

ny Lena IueCHltH.
A RT has been greatly stimulated
~ in development here in the
~ United States by recurrent ex-
positions. The Centennial Ex-
position in Philadelphia in 1876 lent
emphasis to industrial art, quickenine
production; the Worlds Fair, held in
Chicago in 1893 (being postponed from
'92, the anniversary year of the event
commemorated - the discovery OF
America, not only exerted a powerful
influence on the art of architecture
bringing about a renaissance of the
classical style, through new adapta-
ton peculiarly suitable to our needs.
but also reaWoke the art of mural
painting, which had been long slum-
berlng, and, in this country, until
then, little called for, and from the
Buffalo Exposition. few years later,
came better understanding of color
as an element in building and for dec
orative uses.
The great fairs at ST. Louis, San
Francisco and again in Chicago made
undoubtedly had broadening effect.
The Century of Progress Fair at Chi
cago did stress the So-called inter-
national style" in architecture, but
not in such wise that perceptible
change was made in the current of
subsequent production, and although
the lighting effects were exceedingly
clever and artistic. they, too. seem to
have passed without special remark.
Perhaps the most successful feature
of the latest Chicago fair was the art
exhibition. held. not in the fair
grounds, but in the Art Institute Of
Chicago the attendance at which was
phenomenal.
This exhibition, made up chiefly Of
loans from American collections. pub
lie and private. was assembled and set
forth with diligence, knowledge and
wisdom and consisted, in all save the
most contemporary section, of MASTER
pieces. 1t was exceedingly well pub
licized
Whistler's portrait of his mother,
lent by the Louvre, and insured for
fabulous sum, was drawing card:
thousands went to the exhibition pri-
marily to see it; but once there, stayed
Certain other notable loans were treat
ed as distinguished visitors, met at the
railway station by city officials and es-
corted to the institute To the public
this was an amazing guarantee of
Worth-curioSity was awakened. es-
team assured Indirectly the increase
IN art museums In the smaller cities
In the last few years may be traced
to this source. The potentlalitleS of
interest in and the value of possession
OF an art institution were then demon
strated beyond question
SIMULTANEOUSLY, in 1889, two
great world fairs will take place
one on the east, the other on the
west coast In view of the precedent
already created, what. We logically ask.
will be their contribution to life-and
art as an integral part of life-in this
country in the future?
Both the fair in New York, which is
rapidly taking shape, and that on
Treasure Island" in San Francisco
Bay, which is also well under way, will
be architecturally and otherwise up
to the last minute-eSsentially mod
ernistic-both, it is good to know, have
made certain provision for the display
of art, which is universal and tradi-
tional-that which has spoken to men
and women of all nations in no uncer-
tain terms, and by them for many
generations been admired.
To this art of the past, strung like
gems on the silken string of genius
and aspiration the Western fair has,
perhaps. given greatest heed, sending
to the far parts of the world scouts of
trained knowledge to borrow and bring
back the best.
Because of New York City's wealth
In public art collections the New York
Fair might well have overlooked the
art OF the past-but it will not do so.
It, too, is borrowing and means to dis
play the art of those whom Time has
crowned, as well as that Of present-day
acolytes.
In respect to the latter both fairs
are vying with one another to be one
step in advance. San Francisco an
nounces that artists of high standing
are being requested to paint pictures,
especially for this occasion, that the
canvases shown may all be new-none
stale nor old stories On the other
hand, the New York Fair has worked
out scheme of geographical repre-
sentation for contemporary artists and
is emphasizing as a slogan "Democ-
racy in Art" In spirit both of these
schemes are similar, inasmuch as
they put art on the basis of merchan-
disc, which acquires merit through
novelty. and disregard the element of