Art Deco Architecture

The Old Modern - Then and Now A Tumblr of Art Deco architecture, vintage and modern, from all over the world. Includes photos of exteriors, interiors, sculptures, monuments, civil engineering and more, plus historical background, quotes, research, archival video, etc.

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Music Hall, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Music Hall / Music Building at the fair, described on a postcard as follows:

The Music Building is modern and functional in design: of fireproof construction, and is equipped with the latest stage mechanisms and appliances. The auditorium is egg-shaped, without balconies or interior columns, and thus affords perfect vision. The square end of the building which rises to a height of 80 feet houses a magnificent stage from which many impressive musical presentations will be given.

The postcard (different art on the end):

A look inside, which included an “egg-shaped” auditorium:

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American Art Today Building, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Rendering of a the Contemporary Arts Building, also called the American Art Today Building because that was the name of the exhibit. I imagine it was filled with all kinds of modernist art.

Here’s a photo of the actual building:

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New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Pretty sure George Washington was the biggest sculpture at the fair. Look at the second picture and for scale check on the person sitting at the base. This sculpture stood at a the end of a huge reflection pool, which was lit up at night, and backed by the Trylon and Perisphere.

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“Speed” by Joseph E. Renier, New York Word’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

The epitome of a World of Tomorrow, Machine Age sculpture. I love it!

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“Mithrana” by Albert Stewart, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

The archive doesn’t provide info on what building this sculpture appeared on, but I looked it up and Albert Stewart was the man behind several well-known architectural sculpture, including friezes at Buffalo City Hall 

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“Europa” by Gleb Derujinsky, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Rather over-the-top sculpture by Russian artist Gleb Derujinsky, father of famous fashion photographer Gleb Derujinsky.  These look like construction photos and imagine during the fair the basin would be filled with water, with the dolphins flying over it. 

Here’s a photo of the model for the sculpture:

And close-up of... Europa’s behind:

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“Builders of the Future” by William Zorach, New York Word’s Fair Source: NY Public Library 

Monumental sculpture by William Zorach, a Lithuanian-born American sculptor, painter, printmaker, and writer. 

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“To the Morrow” by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Amazing sculpture by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, heiress, artist, arts patron, and founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art (in 1931). 

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Bridge of Tomorrow, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Isn’t this terrific? The bridge connected the Administration Building with the main exhibit area of the Fair.

Meanwhile, this postcard shows that it was super colorful:

A couple of photos from the construction phase, before the fair opened:

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Canada Building, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Canadian pavilion at the fair. I love it!

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“Means of Communication,” Communications Building, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Monumental mural by Eugene Savage. This photo looks to have been taken during construction. A later photo:

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“Asbestos: The Magic Mineral,” New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

The fair was all about promoting new and wonderful discoveries, like.... asbestos. This is TOO much. I don’t know what building this was on. Another view of the asbestos suit:

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Aquacade, New York World’s Fair Source: NY World’s Fair

I have a 10-DVD set of documentary footage of the fair and when I got to the Aquacade, it blew my mind. Even more amazing in color. Basically this was a huge performance venue which included a WATER stage as well as a large dance/skating stage. They performed what were essentially LIVE versions of Busby Berkely dance routines and Esther Williams movies. So, big synchronized swimming affair set to music, people skating in formation on stage, etc. There were elaborate costumes and of course lots of bathing beauties, like:

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Hall of Pharmacy, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

The Hall of Pharmacy, painted as a billboard advertising its own opening date (or perhaps that of the 1940 season). Trylon and Perisphere in the background. 

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WPA Building, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

Fantastic mural, “Maintaining America's Skills” by Philip Guston. It looks like they’ve included a woman engineering tableau.

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Mural by Andrew Durenceau, Metals Building, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

A few of the monumental murals at the Metals Building. There are various references to Greco-Roman gods, plus of course industry. The photo with the two people posed in front is “Strength and Power.”

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Gay New Orleans Village, New York World’s Fair Source: NY Public Library

The fair included numerous “villages” -- clusters of themed buildings, attractions, food halls, etc. -- and one of them was a “Gay New Orleans” village. Basically a party area. The huge hall pictured offered “Swing Mardi Gras,” with Swing dancing every night, free (with your fair ticket). 

A better view of the building, in the winter between 1939 and 1940: