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N.Y. Times & E.A. Jewell SCULPTURE An Outdoor Pageant By Contemporaries Although for many of us, perhaps, the point itself needed no further proving, still the proof now furnished by the Sculptors Guild is convincing, conclusive, absolute. These adventurers, by setting up their First Membership Exhibition under the Loftiest roof of all, have demonstrated that sculpture is an outdoor art-not sculpture of every sort it may be argued; some sculpture more than other sculpture, no doubt; but enough sculpture handsomely to sustain the point. It is a great success, this First Membership Exhibition, which has turned the northeast corner of Park AVenue and Thirty-ninth Street into one of the most popular and delightful spots in New York. The guild's preamble, printed in the attractive catalogue, sets forth in direct, clear terms the purposes to which this association is dedicated. The guild wants "to unite sculptors of all progressive esthetic tendencies into a vital organization," so that, for one thing, sculpture may achieve "its rightful place in the cultural life of this country." It wants to assist the public to a "fuller appreciation" of sculpture's function; to "stimulate and uphold new artistic values," combatting "all reactionary tendencies." It will oppose "all attempts to curtail freedom of expression in art" and will support "all efforts directed toward maintaining favorable conditions for the artist and his work." The show itself? That may be said to illustrate a worthy preamble with plastic reinforcement. The work, installed in grounds delightfully laid out by Aladar Mulhoffer, landscape architect, is varied and, true to type, progressive. Warmed by April sunshine, the air tingles with fresh ideas; ideas that should prove quite as fresh and enterprising in the rain-through the sculptors, who worked through snow and sleet like seasoned couriers of the United States Postoffice, pray for fair days. There will be time to pay another visit, since the exhibition-as dates, with charming informality, promise on the catalogue covers designed by Marguerite Zorach-is to last "into May." And, by the same token, there will be time for detailed comment, postponed now but on the way. Meanwhile, a hearty "Thrice Welcome" to the Sculptors Guild, with its preamble and it's proof. E.A.J. "News Week" [[image]] Newsweek by Pat Terry ...and a 'Man With a Book' Garden of Stone Fifty sculptors got together in New York a year ago and plotted a revolt against orthodox statuary displays. Forming the Sculptors Guild, they decreed that sculptures belonged outdoors, but at the same time they declared war on the works now cluttering public parks-mostly heroic figures of beflagged and besworded generals astride mammoth horses. Apr. 12, the united artists gave the public their idea of a proper outdoor exhibition in an idyllic setting. Ten days earlier they had rented an empty lot on Park Avenue near Grand Central Terminal. With their own hands Guild members raked stones, sprinkled gravel, planted grass and shrubs. They set out some 100 pieces of statuary against a background of rocketing skyscrapers, opened the gates, and waved bids to passers-by. The public trooped in. School children came in swarms. Special police had to be hired to keep rubberneck enthusiasts from jumping the enclosure after the gates were closed. Plans were hastily formed to flood the grounds with lights so that the exhibition could last into the night. Exhibits ranged from a weird-looking "Man With Book" by Cesare Stea and "Girl and Gazelle" by Concetta Scaravaglione to "Wrestlers" (two husky males built on the lines of buffalo bulls) by Herbert Ferber. There was action, too. William Zorach, among others, chipped away publicly at a stone face. Among the exhibits were works by Dorothea Greenbaum, Cornelia Chapin, Aaron Goodleman, Hugo Robus, Warren Wheelock, Milton Hebald, and Oronzio Maldarelli. The show will continue into May. Exhibition Notes The Outdoor Sculpture Show at Park Avenue and Thirty-ninth Street, has been granted official extension to May 15. May La Guardia and District Attorney Dewey will visit the exhibition some time this week. Since the opening on April 12, more than 30,937 persons have visited the exhibition. During the last week student groups have attended in large numbers. The daily demonstrtaions by sculptors are held every afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Helen Sardeau will do modeling in clay this afternoon; tomorrow afternoon Geneveive Karr Hamlin will model a dog in clay; on Thursday Cornelia Van A. Chapin will carve direct in lithographic stone; on Friday Nathaniel Kaz will Carve Direct in granite, and on Saturday Adolf Wolff will model a group in clay.
