Dream Pavilions: A Century of Progress

The unbuilt pavilions of the Chicago 1933 Worlds Fair and vintage photographs of A Century of Progress.

Sixty-five years ago, Chicago hosted the 1933 World's Fair in a dream city on the lakefront. Art Deco pavilions, designed by the country's most avant-garde architects and designers, were constructed in stucco and mesh. They were meant to last only a season, and evaporate after the Fair's summer production.

Some of the greatest structures never made it past the drawing board. These fabulous buildings, either built or imagined, are recalled in an exhibition and sale of original drawings and photographs at ArchiTech.

The show includes never-realized designs by Alfonso Iannelli for the Goodyear Tire and Elgin Watch exhibits, the Hall of Social Science and Adler Planetarium. Original architectural drawings used to construct pavilions for Havoline Oil, Enchanted Island and Radio Flyer will also be included.

These rare Art Deco and Streamline Modern drawings are among the most fascinating examples of 20th century abstract art.

A. George Miller
Hall of Science, A Century of Progress
vintage gelatin-silver print, 1933
9 x 12 inches