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Century of Progress Exposition Tower of Water and Light, Chicago, Illinois, Final Design

A drawing of a soaring, ethereal white skyscraper situated by water and surrounded by short buildings. In the sky are birds and a blimp.

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  • A drawing of a soaring, ethereal white skyscraper situated by water and surrounded by short buildings. In the sky are birds and a blimp.

Date:

1930

Artist:

Ralph Thomas Walker
American, 1889-1973

About this artwork

Beginning in 1929, the planning commission of the Century of Progress Exposition worked on developing a scheme for the fairgrounds, themes for major buildings, and a centerpiece of inspirational proportions. New York architect Ralph Walker, a member of the commission, proposed a Tower of Light and Water, which was a soaring skyscraper-scale sculpture set in a lagoon. Cascading water and the lavish use of artificial light were to add even more drama to the giant structure.
The Depression forced the commission to scale back its plans. A combination of financial doubts (the tower provided minimal rentable space) and technical uncertainties about the complex water feats forced the proposal’s demise. A structure called the Skyride was built in its place as the centerpiece of the Century of Progress. Visitors could ride the aerial gondola between the main fair ground and the Island, or climb one of the 600-ft. towers and have a spectacular view of the city.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Architecture and Design

Artist

Ralph Thomas Walker (Architect)

Title

Century of Progress Exposition Tower of Water and Light, Chicago, Illinois, Final Design

Place

Chicago (Building address)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1930

Medium

Graphite, colored pencil, and watercolor on illustration board

Dimensions

66.5 × 44.6 cm (26 3/16 × 17 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Haines Lundberg Waehler in honor of their centennial

Reference Number

1983.222

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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