Forty photographs, each one reproducing a fragment of the sun-flooded grandeur of old and new Mexico, are now on view in the entrance lobby of Robinson Hall, where they will remain until next Wednesday.

The pictures, by Messrs. D. R. Laidig and G. E. Fischer, achieve a notable effect in the pictorial and artistic reproduction of Mexican scenes. While it is the opinion of this department that too many of the pieces fall into the pictorial category, it is actually unfair to criticise. Some of the pictures that seemed a little too similar to postal card art may well have been taken with such a purpose in mind.

Mexican Architecture

Others, however, offer striking examples of modern beauty with a light struck Latin-American tinge. Because the photographs portray several types of Mexican architecture from early Baroque to modern utilitarian schools, they are sure to be of interest to students in any one of the architectural fields. Pictures of modern low-cost housing units in Mexico City are side by side with views of 16th century Franciscan arches.

By far the most accomplished example of photographic art at its best is afforded by a study of the floating gardens at Xochimilco, a suburb of Mexico City. Concerning this work, the following information is given out in a special circular for the exhibit: "The gardens, dating from at least 1270, halted Cortes, who was rescued from the mire of its sluice ways by Tlaxcalan allies."

Another fine example of creative work is found in the photograph entitled "The Bishop's Cantata." As the circular describes it, "Puebia Cathedral in a spectacular burst of evening light with Popocatepetl in the dim blue distance."

Diego Rivera's Studio

One of the most interesting photographs in the collection is that of the studio of Diego Rivera in San Angel, "a quiet suburb of Mexico City." Another work bound to attract attention is that of "Devotees at the Capilla del Pocito," which was taken at a spring in Guadalupe. Here, tradition holds that a spring with miraculous healing powers burst from beneath the feet of the Virgin of Guadalupe about 1531.

A fitting conclusion to the exhibit is seen in "Contrasts," a study in blending the sun-baked light of Mexico with a succession of gently graded shadows.

Mexican Daily Life

It must be repeated that the greatest satisfaction which may be derived from this exhibit is possibly just a succession of views of Mexican life. If this is the case, the on-looker will do well to examine the circular.

Otherwise, those who are seeking creative work exclusively, will find but four or five excellent examples, but study of these will be ample reward for any such visitors to the Robinson display.