GREAT AMERICAN EXHIBITIONS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 81, 30 December 1940, Page 3

GREAT AMERICAN EXHIBITIONS

Dominion Architect’s Impressions MR. E. ANSCOMBE RETURNS The study of exhibitions is the life hobby of Mr. Edmund Anscombe, F.N.Z.1.A., who was architect for the New Zealand and South Seas International Exhibition, 1925-26, and the recent New Zealand Centennial Exhibition. He has visited exhibitions in England, Australia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Canada, and no fewer than five in the United States of America, and he possesses the finest and most comprehensive library of exhibition records in the Southern Hemisphere, dating’ from Crystal Palace, 1851. “Both the San Francisco and New York world fairs have passed into history, but they will be remembered, by all who were fortunate to see them/ said Mr. Anscombe. “San Francisco's fair was held on a man-made island called Treasure Island, the result of the necessity for a central air port. Treasure Island is located about midway between the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, and will in time become the airport for both. “Both the New York and the San Francisco fairs were wonderful, but they were very different,” commented Mr. Anscombe. “For aesthetic splendour the San Francisco fair surpassed its rival in New York, but the latter more than made up for this by its bigness and the comprehensive phases of human activity it covered. San Francisco's effort might be classed as a beautiful fair in a gorgeous setting; New York’s was a great, combination of commercial activity and truly the ‘World of Tomorrow,’ with much that what, really beautiful and modern. It was divided into zones, which achieved an effect of unity and coherence. "At the San Francisco fair the greatest care was taken in the colour treatment,” said Mr. Anscombe. “No colours were permitted to be used in any of: the buildings unless they blended will) the general colour scheme; as a result, the whole was a triumph of colour combination gloriously achieved. At night the fair was indescribably beautiful; more than 10,00(1 concealed coloured floodlights were used to illuminate the walls of the buildings, 1.500.000 dollars were expended -on lighting at this fair, which surely excelled in magnificence anything previously attempted anywhere. “Landscaping cost 2,500,000 dollars; trees 70 feet, in"height and weighing 40 tons were brought long distances, and replanted in the grounds of the fair. The sculpture and murals were all wonderful, and contributed much to the must beautiful exposition ever staged in any country.

‘‘For Peace and Freedom.” "The New York World's Pair was undoubtedly the biggest, best, and most comprehensive the world has yet seen, commented Mr. Ansconibe. "It was so big it might best be described as a series of fairs within a fair. This year it was said to dramatize a new theme, "For Peace and Freedom.” In this war torn world, it impressed me tremendously because I remembered that someone, long before the last war. declared that if the nations of I lie world would arrange to hold world fairs regularly, thereby creating a spirit of friendly rivalry, this would be the means of bringing about a better understanding and woidd contribute much to peaceful living among nations. -What struck me with amazement after paying visits to the national pavilions of Great Britain, Ireland, those of Britain's Colonial Empire, Italy, France, Czechoslovakia, Belgium’ Denmark, Albania. Finland. Greece, Hungary, Japan. Luxemburg, Mexico. Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland. Turkey. Hungary. Yugoslavia, and others, was that here was a striking demonslration of peaceful unity within the fair grounds under democracy, .when so many of the nations mentioned were at that very time engaged in hostilities. Tim British and Italian buildings were right alongside each oilier: both buildings and exhibits were very wonderful, but it was strange to see the great figure (none other than Britannia) surrounding tlie Italian Pavilion, and named Roma. To me it was in rattier an incongruous setting.

■'The French Pavilion was .just across llm lagoon and was complete and impressive. Upon entering the Italian Pavilion. I was requested Io come aside and open my camera case, and was permitted to pass in only when the official was satisfied it didn't contain a bomb. Later. 1 entered I lie British Pavilion; an official walked up ami engaged .me in conversation but made no move to examine my camera. When f asked him why ho didn’t ask to see

inside the camera, he answered *1 certainly intended to, but Immediately you spoke I picked you for an Englishman.’ “Australia and New Zealand were worthily represented, but I consider Australia staged by far a superior show at our recent Centennial Exhibition,” said Air. Ansconibe. “A show known as railroads in action heralded as the finest ever staged anywhere, was not in my opinion the equal of the display of the New Zealand Government at our centennial; too much credit cannot be given to those responsible for that truly wonderful feature at Rongotai. City of Future. "Being an architect and one keenly interested in town planning and the City of Tomorrow, 1 was greatly impressed with the display known as the ‘Futurama’ staged as only a portion, or shall 1 say, a sideline, of General Motors 13,000,000-dollar exhibit; this to my mind was the outstanding feature at the New York 'World's Fair. It was an exhibit that could not fail to stir one's imagination, but the promoters merely said they hoped they had set some boy a-dreaming and Act him on the road of usefulness and service to himself, tils country, and his tVllow men. It featured Ute world of 1960, completely modelled in miniature, alive with speeding trucks and automobiles, and depicted the highway and the city of tomorrow. . . . truly a masterpiece most skilfully handled. This exhibit: wtts also referred to as ‘Highways and Horizons.* i became so enthusiastic about if that tlm company presented me with a -1001 i. thin, sound Him of (lie exhibit, ami 1 hope by this Him to enable others to see something of the wonders of the New York World’s .Fair.”