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1992 World's Fair, Chicago, Illinois: Pespective Rendering of Ferris Wheel, Looking West through Navy Pier Atrium

A work made of ink on tracing paper.

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  • A work made of ink on tracing paper.

Date:

1977

Artist:

Harry Weese
American, 1915–1998

About this artwork

This drawing was not actually considered as a design proposal for the 1992 fair, but rather was part of a presentation Weese gave in 1977 to explain his ideas for a possible Chicago World’s Fair in 1992. Many influential Chicago businessmen and architects were invited to the meeting. Three years later, inspired by Weese’s presentation, a committee was formed to promote Chicago’s candidacy to host the World’s Fair of 1992.

Unfortunately for Weese, the vision of the Chicago World’s Fair-1992 Corporation differed greatly from his. They desired a central site dominating Burnham Harbor, while Weese had envisioned an extended lakefront site from Navy Pier to Meigs Field, connected by a Skyride. Weese later lobbied for this site, but to no avail. Ironically, it was the Fair Corporation’s (and later the Fair Authority’s) unbending insistence that the fair be built in their vision that would ultimately lead to the Fair’s demise in 1985. The budding plans for the fair called for two cities hosting simultaneously: Chicago and Seville, Spain. After Chicago was eliminated, Seville became—and remained—the sole host.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Architecture and Design

Artist

Harry Weese (Architect)

Title

1992 World's Fair, Chicago, Illinois: Pespective Rendering of Ferris Wheel, Looking West through Navy Pier Atrium

Place

Navy Pier (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.

1977

Medium

Ink on tracing paper

Dimensions

21.5 × 28 cm (8 1/2 × 11 1/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Harry Weese Associates

Reference Number

1982.758

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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