#worlds fair

[blondebrainpowered]

A woman towers over the intricate 1:1200 scale model of New York City at the World's Fair, 1964

[kafkasapartment]

Modeling the First Staff Ornaments, World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair), 1894. Charles Yardley Turner. Oil on canvas.

[determinate-negation]

New York World's Fair 1939-1940 [Perspective in Construction], Hugh Ferriss

[smbhax]

Cover illustration by Ed Emshwiller

Info from ISFDB

[retropopcult]

"1965. Monorail station, New York World's Fair, Flushing Meadows"

[uwmspeccoll]

Milestone Monday

Orphic Views

On this day, March 31, 1889, the Eiffel Tower officially opened. Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923), it was constructed between 1887 and 1889 as part of the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) held in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Initially, the tower faced significant criticism from prominent Parisians and artists who deemed it an eyesore. Nonetheless, it swiftly became a cherished symbol of Paris and France, attracting millions of visitors each year. The tower has three levels, with restaurants on the first and second levels and an observation deck on the third, offering breathtaking views of the city. Today, the Eiffel Tower stands as one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.

The images shown are from Les Tours Eiffel by Robert Delaunay. This work features artwork created by Robert Delaunay (1885-1941), along with previously unpublished poems by renowned and influential poets of the early 20th century. It includes a preface by Jean Cassou (1897-1986), the first director of the National Museum of Modern Art in Paris, who was also a French art critic and poet. It was printed in an edition of 1,150 in Brussels in 1974 by the team of Robert de Velder.

The Jacques Damase Gallery published this work in Paris in 1974. Jacques Damase (1930-2014) founded his publishing house in 1948, making him the youngest publisher in the world at the time, at just 17 years old. Under his direction, the gallery became known for its dedication to avant-garde literature and art, helping to promote the works of both established and emerging artists. This collection stands as a testament to the vibrant dialogue between visual art and literature during a transformative period in European cultural history.

Some of the poets in this collection are notable for their ties to surrealism. French writers and poets André Breton (1896-1966) and Philippe Soupault (1897-1990) co-founded the Surrealist movement, aiming to explore the unconscious mind and challenge the conventional boundaries of art and literature. Guillaume Apollinaire (1880-1918) is regarded as one of the leading poets of the 20th century and is credited with coining the terms “Surrealism,” “Cubism,” and “Orphism,” showcasing the intersection of visual art and poetry in contemporary movements. Louis Aragon (1897-1982), a French novelist, editor, and poet, was one of France's prominent voices in the Surrealist movement and was deeply involved in both literature and political activism, often reflecting these themes in his works.

Other notable poets included in this collection are Jean Arp, known for his contributions to both Dada and Surrealism; Blaise Cendrars, whose adventurous spirit and modernist style reshaped poetry; Tristan Tzara, a founder of Dada who sought to disrupt traditional artistic norms; Joseph Delteil, whose work often focused on the themes of nature and humanity; and René Crevel, whose works often depicted existential themes.

Robert Delaunay (1885-1941) was a French artist who co-founded the Orphism art movement, which emphasized the use of color and light to evoke emotion and create a sense of movement. Guillaume Apollinaire noted the musical quality in Delaunay's work, coining "Orphic Cubism" or "Orphism." This name draws inspiration from the Greek god Orpheus, renowned for his ability to captivate animals with enchanting music played on the lyre. Delaunay saw the Eiffel as a symbol of modernity and masculinity. He was among the first artists to focus his work on this iconic landmark, portraying it numerous times in his work, including his famous series of paintings that capture its dynamic forms and colors.

-View more Milestone Monday posts

--Melissa, Special Collections Library Assistant

[themidwestrelic]

"Amusements - Games and Rides - De-Bunk-Her - Outside view" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1935 - 1945

[sassyscoopics]

My local library was looking for a cool history display so I provided them with my 1933-1934 Chicago Worlds Fair collection.