Studio: international art (87.1924)

ARCHITECTURE OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION

BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION
ENTRANCE TO THE PALACE
OF INDUSTRY. ARCHITECTS
MESSRS.SIMPSON AND AYRTON
DRAWING BY K. MURRAY

hostility in many quarters, and some time
must elapse before the full value of his skill
and enterprise is fully appreciated and
turned to profitable account, but ulti-
mately the impetus he has given to pro-
gressive and untrammelled thought by his
bold and imaginative handling of a difficult
problem must have a bracing influence on
architectural development in the British
Isles, a a a eta a
In judging his work, however, one must
consider whether the treatment adopted,
apart from any value or merit it may have
divorced from its environment and im-
mediate purpose, is fit and appropriate for
the particular atmosphere and circum-
stances of an industrial exhibition which
also has to make a popular and congenial
appeal as a pleasure resort. Many .critics
may with justification consider these con-
crete buildings too sober and severe in
such a setting, although one must admit a
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considerable measure of relief is afforded
by the many picturesque minor buildings
and other features. The remarkable con-
trasts which arrest one at every turn are
certainly effective and possibly more dram-
atic and entertaining than would have
been the case if the whole scheme had
been carried out on one note, with an
attempt at outward uniformity. The treat-
ment of the gay and festive refreshment
kiosks is happily inspired and the art
students who have worked on these build-
ings are to be congratulated. The pure,
strong colours are cleverly handled in a
series of pleasantly conceived compositions
for which considerable credit is due to
Major Bernard, to whose imagination and
initiative many attractive features in the
exhibition are due. 0000
The huge area devoted to recreation
should amply satisfy the yearnings of
those to whom this element is the real
attraction. 00000
An exhibition of such magnitude and
importance should outwardly express its
scope and purpose, both in general con-
ception and in the treatment of individual
features, reflecting the character of the
nation and the peculiar genius and quali-
ties of her people. There is a certain
appropriateness in the fact that the whole
scheme is dominated by the Stadium, a
mighty arena of sport, imposing and
dignified. This building, as an essay in
concrete construction, is very ably treated
and attractive in colour and texture. 0
We are sometimes told that the greatness
of the British Empire is due to the absorbing
devotion of her sons to sport, while others
remind us that the predominance of our
race is in no small measure due to the
excellent quality of our beer. Such
enthusiasts may feel gratified when they
find the outward walls of the Stadium
liberally adorned with signs boldly an-
nouncing the virtues of our national
beverage as supplied by a certain firm
of brewers. What could be more ap-
propriate than this happy conjunc-
tion of sport and beer, two such potent
factors in the destinies of our race i
Perhaps this happy thought influenced
the executive when it sanctioned this
lamentable disfigurement of a fine
building. 00000