EXHIBITION—DESIGN AND INDUSTRY.
Tax authorities of the Victoria and Albert Museum have done well in giving hospitality to the little exhibition of the British Institute of Industrial Art that was opened in the North Court on Monday. Small and unrepresentative though it is, anyone interested in present-day industrial art will find the show well worth a visit. It will remain open for five weeks, admission free, and those well disposed towards the aims of the promoters will encourage them by passing through the turnstiles. The Institute has, up to the present, enjoyed Treasury support, but it now has to find its own financial feet, so that the specially well disposed are invited to become subscribers. Having much, the same aim as the Design and Industries Association, whose beneficent activities as intermediary between artist, mumble. turer and public have been previously noticed in these columns, the Institute must be wished all prosperity in its new and independent career as- a mission to manufacturers.
Judging by the usual commercial products of English potteries, a missionary should certainly be sent into " Darkest Stafford- shire " with the Institute's little exhibit of well designed and unpretentious chinaware. No doubt there are certain en- lightened manufacturers in all trades, but those in any way connected with " Industrial Art " have an unfortunate way of concentrating on industry and of forgetting all about art in its true sense. They probably recognize the importance of having a competent works manager, but to employ an educated artist-designer to give their products a reasonable and accept- able shape seems to be generally regarded as a piece of foolish extravagance. However, the commercial success of the elect will no doubt prove the best argument for repentance to the ninety-and-nine.
Messrs. Heal, Ltd., who have two engaging stands at the exhibition, should have our thanks quite as much for being a conspicuous commercial success as for deserving that success by good design. The prosperity of a rival is what is most likely to make an unprogressive " commercial article " firm take notice and start setting its own house in order. Some day perhaps the very term " commercial article " will cease to be one of reproach—the first step towards that happy time being the wholesale production of sanely designed, soundly made articles at really commercial prices. It is perhaps in textiles that we have at present the most encouraging signs of a higher standard in colour and design, as witness, for example, Messrs. Foxton's exhibit. The art of the potter is very creditably exemplified by Messrs. A. E. Gray and Co., whilst Messrs. Crittall show that art and commerce can come together in the matter of metal work. Everyone concerned with decoration will appreciate what Mr. Roney has achieved in inlay with coloured woods, a medium that we should imagine- was peculiarly adapted for the embellishment of ships.
Everyday utility has by no means been overlooked, as is only proper in such a display, and the kitchen planned and equipped by Miss Katherine Gordon, of the L.C.C. Education Office, is an object-lesson in practical efficiency.
Taking it all through, this little exhibition is big with promise, and we hope that it may tour the provinces as D.I.A. exhibitions have done before it, being replaced in London by another and more ambitious collection on the same lines.
C. WriaLtars-Ers.rs.
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