(no subject)
Works Cited Page
"About The Spanish Pavilion." About the Spainish Pavilion. 23 Nov. 2008 .
Chandler, Arthur. "Confrontation." World's Fair Magazine Jan. 2000: 1.
Die Geschichte der Weltausstellungen. "Expo2000::The Paris World Wxposition 1937." The History Of World Expositions. 28 Nov. 2008 .
Duroux, Suzanne, and Barry Stoner. "Treasures of the World Faberge." Treasures Of the World. PBS. 23 Nov. 2008 .
E., B. I. "BIE Web Site." Bureau International des Expositions. 2 Dec. 2008 .
Find related articlesEditDelete
Cori Drumheller
LAPI Franco Spain An Open Wound
Monday & Thursday 5:30-6:50
Final Paper
The World’s Art Fair Paris 1937
How it helped aid Spain
The World’s Art Fair was held in Paris, France in the year of 1937. This fair was officially called the Expo. Internationale des Arts et des Techniques dans la vie Moderne, which means the Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry. The fair’s main objective was to promote this unified feeling amongst other nations in one location with art and technology. The official motto of the fair was Peace though Progress, however this plan was somewhat of a wishful thought or notion considering the turmoil and hard times that each of the participating nations were encountering. Some of the countries that participated in this event were, Germany, the Soviet Union, the United States of America, England, and Spain just to name a few. This paper will focus on the World’s Art Fair Exposition; it’s history, and how this expedition helped to aid Spain specifically and the propaganda behind the idea of Peace through Progress.
Spain one year previous, in 1936 was fighting a civil war, which was tearing the country apart. The Nationalist and the Republicans were struggling to find common ground. This however was a long drawn out issue through prior years. In the early 1920’s King Alfonzo XIII had appointed Miguel Primo de Rivera as the primary dictator of Spain, while he remained King. However by the 1930’s Primo de Rivera’s ways of thinking were too right winged and rigid. He was asked to resign which happened soon after. Within a years time the popular elections were held and the monarchist government was thrown out and King Alfonzo was forced to renounce his title and throne. The elections of 1936 held great promise, as the popular front had united its members to the left and won the election. Sadly, only five short months later in July, the army units rebelled and this event is what brought on the Spanish Civil War. (PBS)
This is when General Francisco Franco steps in to lead the right winged government and plans to overthrow the existing parliament. As the civil war progressed Franco gained support from Mussolini and Hitler, which made his forces literally unstoppable. Just for a simple trade of Spain’s resources Franco was able to conquered and control much more of Spain’s territories. The Republican’s gave a feeble attempt to fight off Franco’s troops but were greatly unnumbered in men and resources, which expectedly led them to their failure. It was the face of the ever-nearing idea of fascism that Franco was polluting Spain’s public with. The world’s art fair was an attempt to not only spread the word about politics through art but to educate it’s public about the critical issues in Spain.
Exhibitions have been active and around for many years pervious to this specific fair held in 1937 in Paris, France. The history of exhibitions goes back to the late 1800s. The first ever “international exhibition took place in London, England in 1851, the leading capital of industrial power”. (BIE) Many of these events were usually held in large cities that had ample space to hold such large groups of people and their ideas. It was a place where people of different ethnicities and cultures could come and unify their efforts and spirits towards one mutual goal.
Every nation was invited to participate in these events. Later one had to become a member of the organization to be a part of the fair. Many of these events however were not planned correctly and were often poorly organized, which inevitably caused conflicts between nations and their people. It was decided that it was necessary to form an international agreement on some sort of standards and regulations to improve the relations between the organizers of the events, the participants, the governments and officials, and also private exhibitors. It was in 1912 in Germany that the first initiative was taken to organize this meeting. It was not until November 22nd 1928 that the issue was finally resolved and the organization of International Exhibitions was established. This organization brought order to the exhibitions and regulated the rights of the exhibitors and the organizers. Around this same time the International Exhibitions Bureau was created to ensure that the convention regulations would be enforced and obeyed. (BIE)
At these fairs there were multiple tents and pavilions set up to display the works of those participants in each country. The World’s Art Fair was somewhat controversial this year especially because the Soviet Union and the Germans were located directly across from one another, seeing as they were having conflicts already prior to the fair, it was almost a head to head show down. Among the other nations present was the Spanish Pavilion, which also got a lot of hype and crazes that year considering they were skeptical to join in the event from the beginning.
Not only were they hesitant but they also were financially not in the position to be spending such money since they were just recovering from a war. It was only after careful consideration of the Spanish Ambassador in Paris that saw the potential this fair would have as a propaganda tool to captivate his county and its people by promoting peace through progress and the potential dangers of a fascism ruled country. Spain’s main objective “was intended to raise international public awareness of the critical situation in Spain, which had developed into a European conflict with the intervention of the German and Italian governments. Spain wanted to warn the world of the dangers of fascism and to improve the image of the republican government by presenting its successes.”(Expo2000)
Also the Spanish pavilion had become a poster for a country, which was fighting against fascism and was trying to save what honor it had left. Furthermore, Spain wanted to show that its government was more than willing to let such an event become reality despite all the massive difficulties and shortages on money. Therefore it was most important to acquire famous contemporary artists for the exhibition in order to make people aware of the Spanish problem. (Chandler)
A large reason why the Spanish Pavilion was such a success was because of the mural the government asked Pablo Picasso's to paint. He accepted the offer despite his lack of political interest in his art and went for it and painted the mural "Guernica", which was a reaction he had to the bombing of Basque a small town. “A lot of artists, who looked up to Picasso as the exemplar of Modernist practice in painting, were interested very much in being Modernists on the one hand, and still very concerned about larger political events and the larger political arena in which they could act as artists. You can find many attempts to bring these two concerns together into the same body of work, to be really expressive and exploratory in formal terms and still be able to make a very heartfelt political statement. And to find that the great master of Modernism was able to accomplish this goal somehow - the mere fact that this kind of resolution might be possible - is what had such an enormous effect on artists in the twentieth century." (PBS Failing)
Through this work Pablo was able to express a political statement as well as his own artistic vision, which for many artist of his time was a feat in itself. Even in today’s standards and time such well thought out imagery with both political meaning and self worth is hard to come by. It is a rare example of both of these things, thus making it why it is so successful. This piece among many others helped Spain to spread the word about peace and it’s importance.
Another influential artist for the Spanish Pavilion was Luis Sert. He was the architect that designed and built the Spanish Pavilion where all the works of the artists of Spain were held and displayed for the world to see. The structure was built of glass and steel offering a modernist feel to the building compared to those surrounding it, an innovative alternative. Though his works and others Spain was able to inform and educate its people through art and culture. Even another artist worth detailing was Alexander Calder. He designed the Mercury Fountain that sat in the Spanish Pavilion directly across from Pablo Picasso’s "Guernica". (zum.de)
“When the gates to the exposition closed in November of 1937, they closed on the final Ritual of Peace and Progress in the queen city of expositions. A total of 16,704 prizes had been distributed to participants. Over 600 congresses had been held on an unprecedented number of topics. Over 31 million people had attended the fair, and the final balance sheet showed a loss of 495,000,000 million francs.”(Chandler) Here it is determined that the Fair was a success for all involved, and the message of peace and progress was able to be spread among all.
Thus in conclusion the Worlds Art Fair in Paris France held in 1937 helped to aid Spain in multiple ways. It showed the people of Spain that not only was their country recovering from their civil war which tore their already fragile country to shreds that they were going to be ok. That they still were able to participate in the fair, and benefit from the positive attention the Spanish pavilion received. In addition to that the people of Spain could have a better understanding of fascism and the power is has to wreck a country and its people. The fair offered them not only works from their country but also the works of other artists fighting for the same causes they were. The freedom to express their ideas whether they were political or their own, freedom of speech was ever important. Through the works of Pablo Picasso and the other artists Spain was able to see the motto, Peace through progress.
If it was not for their own economic progress, the treaty that stopped the war, or the unemployment that seemed to be everywhere, it was through peace with other countries and their own that they were able to make steps into the future with fascism at their back and hope in their hearts. A New Spain was coming close. They could now stand unified as one country among other unified countries to help shape the world, as we now know it. With out the artistic possibilities that the World’s Art Fair Exhibition held there would have not been any room for something so positive to come of such horrible circumstances. Spain was able to show its people the importance of art and what it means to the government. That art was a valued and effective force that aided them in spreading word of what was important to them.
Therefore the fair was a success for all involved. It gave everyone hope, and something to strive for. Peace and progress was delivered to the people through propaganda and was effectively heard by all. The World’s Art Fair Exhibitions still take place to this day, without the help of previous fairs and the participation of other countries is it possible to continue the same messages and ideas of the past.
"About The Spanish Pavilion." About the Spainish Pavilion. 23 Nov. 2008 .
Chandler, Arthur. "Confrontation." World's Fair Magazine Jan. 2000: 1.
Die Geschichte der Weltausstellungen. "Expo2000::The Paris World Wxposition 1937." The History Of World Expositions. 28 Nov. 2008 .
Duroux, Suzanne, and Barry Stoner. "Treasures of the World Faberge." Treasures Of the World. PBS. 23 Nov. 2008 .
E., B. I. "BIE Web Site." Bureau International des Expositions. 2 Dec. 2008 .
Find related articlesEditDelete
Cori Drumheller
LAPI Franco Spain An Open Wound
Monday & Thursday 5:30-6:50
Final Paper
The World’s Art Fair Paris 1937
How it helped aid Spain
The World’s Art Fair was held in Paris, France in the year of 1937. This fair was officially called the Expo. Internationale des Arts et des Techniques dans la vie Moderne, which means the Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Industry. The fair’s main objective was to promote this unified feeling amongst other nations in one location with art and technology. The official motto of the fair was Peace though Progress, however this plan was somewhat of a wishful thought or notion considering the turmoil and hard times that each of the participating nations were encountering. Some of the countries that participated in this event were, Germany, the Soviet Union, the United States of America, England, and Spain just to name a few. This paper will focus on the World’s Art Fair Exposition; it’s history, and how this expedition helped to aid Spain specifically and the propaganda behind the idea of Peace through Progress.
Spain one year previous, in 1936 was fighting a civil war, which was tearing the country apart. The Nationalist and the Republicans were struggling to find common ground. This however was a long drawn out issue through prior years. In the early 1920’s King Alfonzo XIII had appointed Miguel Primo de Rivera as the primary dictator of Spain, while he remained King. However by the 1930’s Primo de Rivera’s ways of thinking were too right winged and rigid. He was asked to resign which happened soon after. Within a years time the popular elections were held and the monarchist government was thrown out and King Alfonzo was forced to renounce his title and throne. The elections of 1936 held great promise, as the popular front had united its members to the left and won the election. Sadly, only five short months later in July, the army units rebelled and this event is what brought on the Spanish Civil War. (PBS)
This is when General Francisco Franco steps in to lead the right winged government and plans to overthrow the existing parliament. As the civil war progressed Franco gained support from Mussolini and Hitler, which made his forces literally unstoppable. Just for a simple trade of Spain’s resources Franco was able to conquered and control much more of Spain’s territories. The Republican’s gave a feeble attempt to fight off Franco’s troops but were greatly unnumbered in men and resources, which expectedly led them to their failure. It was the face of the ever-nearing idea of fascism that Franco was polluting Spain’s public with. The world’s art fair was an attempt to not only spread the word about politics through art but to educate it’s public about the critical issues in Spain.
Exhibitions have been active and around for many years pervious to this specific fair held in 1937 in Paris, France. The history of exhibitions goes back to the late 1800s. The first ever “international exhibition took place in London, England in 1851, the leading capital of industrial power”. (BIE) Many of these events were usually held in large cities that had ample space to hold such large groups of people and their ideas. It was a place where people of different ethnicities and cultures could come and unify their efforts and spirits towards one mutual goal.
Every nation was invited to participate in these events. Later one had to become a member of the organization to be a part of the fair. Many of these events however were not planned correctly and were often poorly organized, which inevitably caused conflicts between nations and their people. It was decided that it was necessary to form an international agreement on some sort of standards and regulations to improve the relations between the organizers of the events, the participants, the governments and officials, and also private exhibitors. It was in 1912 in Germany that the first initiative was taken to organize this meeting. It was not until November 22nd 1928 that the issue was finally resolved and the organization of International Exhibitions was established. This organization brought order to the exhibitions and regulated the rights of the exhibitors and the organizers. Around this same time the International Exhibitions Bureau was created to ensure that the convention regulations would be enforced and obeyed. (BIE)
At these fairs there were multiple tents and pavilions set up to display the works of those participants in each country. The World’s Art Fair was somewhat controversial this year especially because the Soviet Union and the Germans were located directly across from one another, seeing as they were having conflicts already prior to the fair, it was almost a head to head show down. Among the other nations present was the Spanish Pavilion, which also got a lot of hype and crazes that year considering they were skeptical to join in the event from the beginning.
Not only were they hesitant but they also were financially not in the position to be spending such money since they were just recovering from a war. It was only after careful consideration of the Spanish Ambassador in Paris that saw the potential this fair would have as a propaganda tool to captivate his county and its people by promoting peace through progress and the potential dangers of a fascism ruled country. Spain’s main objective “was intended to raise international public awareness of the critical situation in Spain, which had developed into a European conflict with the intervention of the German and Italian governments. Spain wanted to warn the world of the dangers of fascism and to improve the image of the republican government by presenting its successes.”(Expo2000)
Also the Spanish pavilion had become a poster for a country, which was fighting against fascism and was trying to save what honor it had left. Furthermore, Spain wanted to show that its government was more than willing to let such an event become reality despite all the massive difficulties and shortages on money. Therefore it was most important to acquire famous contemporary artists for the exhibition in order to make people aware of the Spanish problem. (Chandler)
A large reason why the Spanish Pavilion was such a success was because of the mural the government asked Pablo Picasso's to paint. He accepted the offer despite his lack of political interest in his art and went for it and painted the mural "Guernica", which was a reaction he had to the bombing of Basque a small town. “A lot of artists, who looked up to Picasso as the exemplar of Modernist practice in painting, were interested very much in being Modernists on the one hand, and still very concerned about larger political events and the larger political arena in which they could act as artists. You can find many attempts to bring these two concerns together into the same body of work, to be really expressive and exploratory in formal terms and still be able to make a very heartfelt political statement. And to find that the great master of Modernism was able to accomplish this goal somehow - the mere fact that this kind of resolution might be possible - is what had such an enormous effect on artists in the twentieth century." (PBS Failing)
Through this work Pablo was able to express a political statement as well as his own artistic vision, which for many artist of his time was a feat in itself. Even in today’s standards and time such well thought out imagery with both political meaning and self worth is hard to come by. It is a rare example of both of these things, thus making it why it is so successful. This piece among many others helped Spain to spread the word about peace and it’s importance.
Another influential artist for the Spanish Pavilion was Luis Sert. He was the architect that designed and built the Spanish Pavilion where all the works of the artists of Spain were held and displayed for the world to see. The structure was built of glass and steel offering a modernist feel to the building compared to those surrounding it, an innovative alternative. Though his works and others Spain was able to inform and educate its people through art and culture. Even another artist worth detailing was Alexander Calder. He designed the Mercury Fountain that sat in the Spanish Pavilion directly across from Pablo Picasso’s "Guernica". (zum.de)
“When the gates to the exposition closed in November of 1937, they closed on the final Ritual of Peace and Progress in the queen city of expositions. A total of 16,704 prizes had been distributed to participants. Over 600 congresses had been held on an unprecedented number of topics. Over 31 million people had attended the fair, and the final balance sheet showed a loss of 495,000,000 million francs.”(Chandler) Here it is determined that the Fair was a success for all involved, and the message of peace and progress was able to be spread among all.
Thus in conclusion the Worlds Art Fair in Paris France held in 1937 helped to aid Spain in multiple ways. It showed the people of Spain that not only was their country recovering from their civil war which tore their already fragile country to shreds that they were going to be ok. That they still were able to participate in the fair, and benefit from the positive attention the Spanish pavilion received. In addition to that the people of Spain could have a better understanding of fascism and the power is has to wreck a country and its people. The fair offered them not only works from their country but also the works of other artists fighting for the same causes they were. The freedom to express their ideas whether they were political or their own, freedom of speech was ever important. Through the works of Pablo Picasso and the other artists Spain was able to see the motto, Peace through progress.
If it was not for their own economic progress, the treaty that stopped the war, or the unemployment that seemed to be everywhere, it was through peace with other countries and their own that they were able to make steps into the future with fascism at their back and hope in their hearts. A New Spain was coming close. They could now stand unified as one country among other unified countries to help shape the world, as we now know it. With out the artistic possibilities that the World’s Art Fair Exhibition held there would have not been any room for something so positive to come of such horrible circumstances. Spain was able to show its people the importance of art and what it means to the government. That art was a valued and effective force that aided them in spreading word of what was important to them.
Therefore the fair was a success for all involved. It gave everyone hope, and something to strive for. Peace and progress was delivered to the people through propaganda and was effectively heard by all. The World’s Art Fair Exhibitions still take place to this day, without the help of previous fairs and the participation of other countries is it possible to continue the same messages and ideas of the past.