Evening star., 1942-03-29

most artists in the interest OF
enlistment, food conservation, the
Red Cross.
Best of all perhaps were Joseph
Pennells Autographs of war work in
America made with the sanction OF
the United States Government In
the shipyards. factories and machine
shops, distinctive both as works of
art, and as record of what he,
himself, termed the Wonder of
Work" wonderful, he claim
ed, here in America than in the
three warning nations where he had
likewise seen and recorded it. Pen
nell, however, did not do these pic
| lures to Order-Or to win the war
but because he, himself, was pro-
foundly thrilled by the sight and
was SO moved to pass his impression
| on to others. Art can rarely be sue
cessfully subsidized.
Perhaps this is the reason that
| this second lot of wartime pictures
obtained by the Government is less
inspiring, fresh, direct and signifi-
cant than was the first, which was
obtained through open competition
| instituted directly after the tragedy
| of Pearl Harbor. Certain it is
| however, that the artists themselves
must be inspired before they can
| inspire. others. We must be shown
| the best not the worst, if we are
| to keep faith and find reinsurance
The artist has his place in war as
in peace time, but he must rise to
his opportunity, and. finding some
thing to say which is not only worth
saying but also remembrance, mus,
say it with all the power at his
command.
Art Of A merican Book Making
Sho1Cn at Pan.A m merican Unio,
The exhibition of books, 200 in
number, illustrating the art of book
making at its best in the United
States during the past 10 years
which was tremendously opened or
the afternoon of March II to con-
tlnue until April l is not only quite
out Of the ordinary but Of very spe.
| cial interest As Mr.. Thompson
president of the American Institute
of Graphic Arts, said at the time Of
the opening, it is through the native
arts that the character of people
can best be manifested. 1t is with
such purpose that this notable ex-
hioition was assembled and is to be
sent under the auspices Of the Pan
American Union to cities of Latir
America during the next two years
The work Of assembling was as
sumed by the American Institute ol
Graphic Arts and carried into eftect
by three distinguished jurors, Bruce
Rogers, Henry w. Kent and Monroe
Wheeler, all outstanding authorize!
on printing and the art OF book
making. BY this jury several thou
sand books we're examined in order
to secure the best and most repre-
sentative. No one who sees this eX-
hibitiof can doubt the wisdom OF
choice to which it witnesses.
The books as set forth in the lobby
of the Pan-American Building are
grouped under four headings-books
for the trade, books for children
school books and book published In
limited editions. Printing is in itself
a great art and perhaps the greatest
means contributing to education
But a printed page must be de-
signed-and with utmost skill ano
artistry. This many do not under
stand despite the fact that good
design in this as in other fields
speaks for itself. Also there is the
matter of illustration, and finally OF
binding.
Two catalogues have been pub
lished of this exhibition, one in
Spanish, the other in Portuguese
Both in listing the exhibits invarl-
ably give in addition to names OF
authors, also those of designers
illustrators, printers and publishers