From nearly a century following their inception in 1851, world’s fairs were the most important vehicles for debuting advancements in modern living and democratizing design. The decorative arts they showcased were the physical manifestation of the progressive, economic, and technological ideals embodied in the fairs. Inventing the Modern World explores the ingenuity and diversity of decorative arts made for world’s fairs, from the London Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in 1851 to the New York World’s Fair in 1939. Impermanent as the exhibitions were, decorative arts are among the only surviving elements.
Exhibit 2 (Inventing the Modern World)
Exhibit 3 (Inventing the Modern World)
Exhibit 4 (Inventing the Modern World)
Exhibit 1 (Inventing the Modern World)
New Orleans Museum Of Art Cultivates Festival Flare With A Speakeasy Party On August 2
By Chris Waddington The New Orleans Museum of Art remains a natural spot for locals who like to contemplate Picasso, find out about Crescent City art stars, or meet scholars who know about the family porcelain. On Friday nights, however, NOMA’s sacrosanct halls serve as one of the city’s most distinctive party venues. This Friday… Read More
Inventing The Modern World: Decorative Arts At The World’s Fairs, 1851-1939
An Exhibition Highlighting the Ingenuity and Innovation of Works Presented at the World’s Fairs On view at NOMA from April 12 to August 4, 2013 (New Orleans, LA) – From furniture and metalwork to jewelry and glass, the New Orleans Museum of Art’s upcoming exhibition, Inventing the Modern World, highlights the extraordinary artistic and industrial… Read More
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Exhibit Of World’s Fair Decorative Arts, 1851-1939, Opens At NOMA
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Sponsors / Partners
Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851-1939 is co-organized by Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, and The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Major support for this exhibition was provided by Wells Fargo, the Windgate Charitable Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Additional support for the presentation at the New Orleans Museum of Art is provided by: Jolie and Robert Shelton, International Well Testers, Inc., City of New Orleans, Frischhertz Electric Company, Lois and Lloyd Hawkins Jr. Foundation, The Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund, Chevron and The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.