The Transnational Construction of National Identities: A Classification of National Pavilions at World Fairs

Eric Storm

Jump to Content

Chapter 2 The Transnational Construction of National Identities: A Classification of National Pavilions at World Fairs

In: World Fairs and the Global Moulding of National Identities

Author:

Eric Storm

Eric Storm
Search for other papers by Eric Storm in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed

Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 53–83

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004500327_004

Purchase instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

€42.00€35.00 excl. VAT

Add to Cart

Redeem Access Token

Abstract

This chapter proposes a typology of the architecture of national pavilions. The current architectural classification is not very suitable because it highlights the supposedly unique, national character of most pavilions. For a comparative analysis of the way in which the nation was represented two factors are crucial. Was the pavilion inspired by buildings pertaining to high culture – such as temples and palaces – or does it refer to “low” culture – such as vernacular buildings or commercial structures? Another axis is the opposition between a universalist language (timeless classicism or a future-oriented functionalist style) and national particularism (which could be expressed by focusing on characteristic features). By thus defining four different options for national pavilions a number of global trends can be mapped. Around 1900, the emphasis on high culture – expressed in a dominant role for classicist and historicist pavilions – was replaced by a growing influence of popular culture – both in the form of festive, commercial structures and neo-vernacular buildings. Another clear shift is the rapid advance of architectural modernism in the late 1920s. Moreover, the typology shows that transnational influences are crucial to understand the decision-making process concerning the construction of national pavilions. First, global architectural trends heavily influenced how each participating country aimed to position itself. Second, the definition of each country’s national heritage was largely determined by a transnational public. World fairs induced a quest for the extraordinary; quaint and striking buildings became a central aspect of the nation’s heritage everywhere.

Citation Info

Save
Cite
Email this content

Share link with colleague or librarian

You can email a link to this page to a colleague or librarian:
Email this content
or copy the link directly:

https://brill.edhh.ma/abstract/book/9789004500327/BP000003.xml
The link was not copied. Your current browser may not support copying via this button.

Link copied successfully

Collapse
Expand

World Fairs and the Global Moulding of National Identities

International Exhibitions as Cultural Platforms, 1851–1958

Series: National Cultivation of Culture, Volume: 27

Cover World Fairs and the Global Moulding of National Identities

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004500327

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 27 Oct 2021

Subjects
- History

Front Matter

Back Matter

Metrics

	All Time	Past 365 days	Past 30 Days
Abstract Views	749	219	12
Full Text Views	59	9	1
PDF Views & Downloads	117	19	2

African Studies	Education	Media Studies
American Studies	History	Middle East and Islamic Studies
Ancient Near East and Egypt	Human Rights and Humanitarian Law	Musicology
Art History	International Law	Philosophy
Asian Studies	International Relations	Religious Studies
Biblical Studies	Jewish Studies	Slavic and Eurasian Studies
Biology	Languages and Linguistics	Social Sciences
Book History and Cartography	Life Sciences	Theology and World Christianity
Classical Studies	Literature and Cultural Studies

Subjects

Authors

Open Access

Product Information

Company

Contact

Chapter 2 The Transnational Construction of National Identities: A Classification of National Pavilions at World Fairs

Abstract

Citation Info

Share link with colleague or librarian

World Fairs and the Global Moulding of National Identities

International Exhibitions as Cultural Platforms, 1851–1958

Table of Contents

Metrics

Metrics