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The 1939 New York World's Fair: Into the Exhibits with Dr. Jennie Hirsh

The 1939 New York World's Fair: Into the Exhibits with Dr. Jennie Hirsh


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Launching black-and-white television, fluorescent lights, Salvador Dali's Dream of Venus Pavilion, and the famous “Futurama” exhibit, the 1939 New York World’s Fair manifested its slogan, “Dawn of a New Day”, for over 40 million visitors. But it was no easy feat.
Masterminded by a team of New York businessmen to propel the country out of a Great Depression, this Seminar will provide an in-depth visit–through photographs, plans, maps, diagrams, and short films–of the many fascinating national pavilions that put forward great achievements and scientific advancements of the time. We will also consider the various political tensions and logistical challenges that emerged during and between the fair's two separate seasons, in 1939 and 1940 respectively, as World War II unfolded across the Atlantic.
Led by an expert on modern and contemporary art, Dr. Jennie Hirsh, this interactive seminar will offer a virtual visit back in time to the 1939 World's Fair, built atop a site that had been an ash dump. Designed to inform curiosity, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the planning, execution, and challenges of this memorable world's fair–as well as exposure to the exhibits, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment that were provided for guests.
This seminar has been designed to be enjoyed as a standalone experience or as part of Dr. Hirsh's extended series spotlighting each World's Fair in turn. For more details, click here.

Jennie Hirsh (Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College) is a Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She has held postdoctoral fellowships at Princeton and Columbia Universities, as well as pre-doctoral fellowships from the Mrs. Giles Whiting Foundation, the U.S. Fulbright Commission, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and the Wolfsonian FIU. Hirsh has authored essays on artists including Giorgio de Chirico, Giorgio Morandi, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Yinka Shonibare, and Regina Silveira, and is co-editor, with Isabelle Wallace, of Contemporary Art and Classical Myth (Ashgate 2011).

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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(7)
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Barbara Kyse (San Antonio, US)
Outstanding program

Interesting to see the photos from the World's Fairs around the country and the world.

I
Ira Nerenberg (Saugerties, US)
Fantastic Voyage

Jennie's presentation on this topic was truly exciting. I learned so much about how modern architecture in the corporate setting has been incorporated into our heritage for nearly 100 years. Anyone who missed this seminar should definitely sign up for the Expo 67 seminar in early December.

L
Larry White (Franklin, US)

Excellent. Well researched. Dr. Hirsh is a very good presenter.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

L
Laura (Longmeadow, US)
Wonderful seminar on the New York world’s fair!

This seminar was outstanding! It was the perfect addition to my special birthday. Jennie’s seminar really made you feel like you actually visited the fair.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
100%
(7)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Barbara Kyse (San Antonio, US)
Outstanding program

Interesting to see the photos from the World's Fairs around the country and the world.

I
Ira Nerenberg (Saugerties, US)
Fantastic Voyage

Jennie's presentation on this topic was truly exciting. I learned so much about how modern architecture in the corporate setting has been incorporated into our heritage for nearly 100 years. Anyone who missed this seminar should definitely sign up for the Expo 67 seminar in early December.

L
Larry White (Franklin, US)

Excellent. Well researched. Dr. Hirsh is a very good presenter.

A
A. (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

L
Laura (Longmeadow, US)
Wonderful seminar on the New York world’s fair!

This seminar was outstanding! It was the perfect addition to my special birthday. Jennie’s seminar really made you feel like you actually visited the fair.