第 11 节
作者:冬恋      更新:2021-02-21 11:15      字数:9322
  ; but worked out with splendid vigor; the two figures under earth suggesting the competitive struggle of men。 〃I remember Aitken in his beginning here in San Francisco。 Though he often did poor stuff; everything of his showed artistic courage and initiative。 Even then anyone could see there was something in him。 Now it's coming out in the work he has contributed to this Exposition。 The qualities in these four statues we shall see again when we reach the fountain that Aitken made for the Court of Abundance。 They are individual without being eccentric。 Compare these four figures with the groups in front of the two arches; by Paul Manship; another American sculptor of ability; but different from Aitken in his devotion to the early Greek。 When Manship began his work a few years ago he was influenced by Rodin。 Then he went to Rome and became charmed with the antique。 Now he follows the antique method altogether。 He deliberately conventionalizes。 And yet his work is not at all conventional。 He manages to put distinct life into it。 These two groups; the 'Dancing Girls' and 'Music;' would have delighted the sculptors of the classic period。〃
  Under the Arch of the Rising Sun two delicate murals by Edward Simmons charmed us by their grace; their lovely coloring; by the richness of their fancy and by the extraordinary fineness of their workmanship。 〃There's a big difference of opinion about those canvases as murals。 But there's no difference of opinion in regard to their artistic merit。 They are unquestionably masterpieces。 Kelham and Guerin; who had a good deal to do with putting them up there; believe they are in exactly the right place。 But a good many others think they are almost lost in all this heavy architecture。 You see; Simmons didn't take Guerin's advice as to a subject。 Each of his two murals has a meaning; or rather a good many meanings; but no central theme; no story that binds the figures into a distinct unity。 So; from the point of view of the public; they are somewhat puzzling。 People look up there and wonder what those figures are doing。 But to the artist they find their justification merely in being what they are; beautiful in outline and in posture and coloring。 You don't often get such atmosphere in mural work; or such subtlety and richness of feeling。〃
  Both murals unmistakably showed the same hand。 〃There's not another man in the country who could do work of just that kind。 That group in the center of the mural to the north could be cut out and made into a picture just as it stands。 It doesn't help much to know that the middle figure; with the upraised arm; is Inspiration with Commerce at her right and Truth at her left。 They might express almost any symbols that were related to beauty。 And the symbolism of the groups at either end seems rather gratuitous。 They might be many other things besides true hope and false hope and abundance standing beside the family。 But the girl chasing the bubble blown out by false hope makes a quaint conceit to express adventure; though perhaps only one out of a million would see the point if it weren't explained。〃
  The opposite mural we found a little more definite in its symbolism; if not so pictorial or charming。 The figures consisted of the imaginary type of the figure from the lost Atlantis; the Roman fighter; the Spanish adventurer; suggesting Columbus; the English type of sea…faring explorer; Sir Walter Raleigh; the priest who followed in the wake of the discoverer; the bearer of the cross to the new land; the artist; spreading civilization; and the laborer; modern in type; universal in significance; interesting here as standing for the industrial enterprise of today。
  〃Those murals suggest what a big chance our decorators have in the themes that come out of our industrial life。 They've only made a start。 As mural decoration advances in this country; we ought to produce men able to deal in a vigorous and imaginative way with the big spiritual and economic conceptions that are associated with our new ideals of industry。〃
  One feature of this court made a special appeal to the architect; the use of the large green vases under the arches。 〃They're so good they're likely to be overlooked。 They blend perfectly in the general scheme。 Their coloring could not have been better chosen and their design is particularly happy。〃
  VI
  On the Marina
  Along one of the corridors we passed; enjoying the richness of the coloring and the beauty of the great lamps in a long row; then out into the wide entrance of the court to the Column of Progress。
  〃I wonder if that column would be there now;〃 said the architect; 〃if Trajan had not built his column in Rome nearly two thousand years ago。 The Christianizing of the column; by placing St。 Peter on top instead of Trajan; is symbolic of a good deal that has gone on here。 But we owe a big debt to the pagans; much more than we acknowledge。〃
  When I expressed enthusiasm over the column the architect ran his eye past the frieze to the top。 〃In the first place; that dominating group up there ought at once to express the character of the column。 But it doesn't。 You have to look twice and you have to look hard。 One figure would have been more effective。 But there is a prejudice among some sculptors against placing a single figure at the head of a column; though the Romans often did it。 But if a group had to be used it could have been made much clearer。 Now in that design MacNeil celebrated the Adventurous Archer in a way that was distinctly old…fashioned。 He made the archer a superman; pushing his way forward by force; and by the dominance of personality。 And see how comparatively insignificant he made the supporting figures。 The relation of those three people implies an acceptation of the old ideals of the social organization。 MacNeil had a chance here to express the new spirit of today; the spirit that honors the common man and that makes an ideal of social co…operation on terms of equality。〃
  At the base we studied the figures celebrating labor。 〃Konti is a man of broad social understanding and sympathy;〃 said my companion。 〃But picturesque as those figures are; they're not much more。 They give no intimation of the mighty stirring among the laborers of the world; a theme that might well inspire the sculpture of today; one of the greatest of all human themes。〃
  From the Column of Progress the Marina drew us over to the seawall。 〃The builders were wise to leave this space open and to keep it simple。 It's as if they said: 'Ladies and gentlemen; we have done our best。 But here's Mother Nature。 She can do better。' 〃
  To our right stood Alcatraz; shaped like a battleship; with the Berkeley hills in the distant background。 To the left rose Tamalpais in a majestic peak。
  When I mentioned that there ought to be more boats out there on the bay; a whole fleet; and some of them with colored sails; to give more brightness; the architect shook his head。
  〃The scene is typically Californian。 It suggests great stretches of vacant country here in this State; waiting for the people to come from the overcrowded East and Middle West and thrive on the land。〃
  Our point of view on the Esplanade enabled us to take in the sweep of the northern wall; with its straight horizontal lines; broken by the entrances to the courts and by the splendidly ornate doors in duplicate。 Of the design above the doorway the architect said: 〃It's a perfect example of the silver…platter style of Spain; generally called 'plateresque;' adapted to the Exposition。 Allen Newman's figure of the Conquistador is full of spirit; and the bow…legged pirate is a triumph of humorous characterization。 Can't you see him walking the deck; with the rope in his hand? It isn't so many generations since he used to infest the Pacific。 By the way; that rope; which the sculptor has made so realistic and picturesque at the same time; reminds me that a good many people are bothered because the bow up here; on the Column of Progress; has no string。 The artistic folk; of course; think that the string ought to be left to the imagination。〃
  In the distance; to the west; we commented on the noble outlines of the California Building; an idealized type of Mission architecture; a little too severe; perhaps; lacking in variety and warmth; but of an impressive dignity。 The old friars; for all their asceticism; liked gaiety and color in their building。
  As we were about to start back to the Court of the Universe the architect reminded me of the two magnificent towers; dedicated to Balboa and Columbus; that had been planned for the approach to the Court of Four Seasons and the Court of Ages from the bay side; but had been omitted to save expense。 They would have given the Marina a far greater splendor; but they would have detracted from its present simplicity。
  VII
  Toward the Court of Four Seasons
  〃There are critics;〃 I remarked; as we walked back to the Court of the Universe; on the way to the Court of Four Seasons; 〃who say that the entrance courts ought to have been placed on the other side that the Exposition ought to have been turned round。〃
  〃They don't understand the conditions that the architects had to meet。 That plan was considered; but when it was pointed out that the stronges