World's Fairs: Visions of Tomorrow

May 30, 2025–February 22, 2026
The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue

The wonders of 19th- and 20th-century world's fairs—towering architecture and dazzling displays of the latest in technology, science, industry, and art—promised fairgoers a bright and modern future. Featuring Wolfsonian collection works such as posters, books, souvenirs, and one of the first consumer TVs, World's Fairs: Visions of Tomorrow spotlights the centerpiece pavilions, spellbinding attractions, and uplifting themes that drew millions to cities from Paris to Spokane, often during times of crisis and change. The exhibition leads up to contemporary artist Marco Brambilla's new video installation, Approximations of Utopia (opening fall 2025), which imagines a virtual expo of iconic structures from fairs held across time and around the globe.

Made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Place:

7th Floor

Curators:

Silvia Barisione, Frank Luca

Credit:

World's Fairs: Visions of Tomorrow is organized by The Wolfsonian–FIU.

Object Highlights

	Medallion, Souvenir de mon ascension au Sommet de la Tour Eiffel [Souvenir of My Ascent to the Summit of the Eiffel Tower], 1889 Charles Trotin (French, 1833–1904), designer Usine Metallurgique Parisienne, Paris, manufacturer Copper 1 5/8 in (4.1 cm) diameter The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, 86.1.582
	Poster, *Chicago World’s Fair: A Century of Progress, 1833–1933*, c. 1933 Weimer Pursell (American, 1906–1974), designer Neely Printing Co., Chicago, printer 40 x 26 1/8 in (101.6 x 66.4 cm) The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, 85.4.91
	Model, Trylon and Perisphere, c. 1938 For the 1939 New York World's Fair Wallace K. Harrison (American, 1895–1981) and Jacques André Fouilhoux (French, 1879–1945) of Harrison & Fouilhoux, New York City, architects Stainless steel, plastic, wood 36 1/4 x 31 in (92.1 x 78.7 cm) diameter The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, 86.17.1
	Guidebook, *Official Guide to the Brussels World Exhibition*, 1958 F. G. De Tiege (Belgian, dates unknown), cover illustrator Desclée & Co., Tournai, Belgium, publisher 5 1/2 x 7 7/8 in (14 x 20 cm) The Wolfsonian–FIU, Gift of James and Martha Sweeny, XC2017.6106
	Pamphlet cover, *Let's Go to the Fair and Futurama: New York World’s Fair, 1964–1965*, c. 1964 General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan, publisher 5 1/2 x 8 2/3 in (14 x 22 cm) The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection, XC1991.830

Recommended Resources

Readings

Paul Greenhalgh. Fair World: A History of World's Fairs and Expositions, From London to Shanghai, 1851-2010. Winterbourne, United Kingdom: Papadakis, 2011.
Henri Lavedan. "L'Architecture à L'Exposition Universelle," La Revue Illustrée. Paris: 1889.
Robert W. Rydell, Laura Burd Schiavo, and Robert Bennett. Designing Tomorrow: America's World's Fairs of the 1930s. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2010.
Lawrence R. Samuel. The End of the Innocence: The 1964-1965 New York World's Fair. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University Press, 2007.
Lisa Diane Schrenk. Building a Century of Progress: The Architecture of Chicago's 1933-34 World's Fair. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2007.
Progress in Industrial Color and Protection at "A Century of Progress," 1933. Chicago: American Asphalt Paint Co., 1933.

Videos

Meet Me in St. Louis. Directed by Vicente Minnelli, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944.
So Long at the Fair. Directed by Anthony Darnborough and Terence Fisher, Gainsborough Pictures, 1950.
It Happened at the World's Fair. Directed by Norman Taurog, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1963.
The World of Tomorrow. Directed by Lance Bird and Tom Johnson, WNET, 1984.
Eiffel. Directed by Martin Bourboulon, 2021.

Banner image: Children's book (detail), Peter and Wendy See the New York World's Fair, 1963. Fred Oppenheimer, illustrator. Mary Pillsbury, author. Spertus Publishing Company, New York City, publisher. The Wolfsonian–FIU, The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Collection.