The theme of the article is concerned with the world’s fair, more accurately, the works of art that had been selected to be on display during the 1939 event. The article is discussing the various exhibitions and what the fair represents. In this way, the author has a vested interest. Not only does this article present a view of the build-up that culminated in the fair’s presentations, but it also presents a contrast between the world’s fair and others that might be perceived as having similar aims.
One of the main points that the author discusses is the use of plastic as an art from at the fair. This use of plastic, the author indicates, has reached its peak, presenting a question as to why this would be the case. He also discusses the growth in popularity of plastic as a medium for artistic expression. In this sense, it is a quality that expresses an identity. In this way, the author seems to be indicating that the fair itself is an expression of American identity. This helps the country attain a unique understanding of what it represents on the world stage.
He questions whether the reason for this is due to the lack of uniquely American art forms with which the people can express themselves. In this way, the author discusses the basis of cultural relevance in the exhibitions of the fair. This presents the article in a somewhat different light. It isn’t necessarily simply questioning the artistic representations that will be on display, but the intentions that were behind their display in the first place.
What the fair seems to have ultimately expressed at the time to both the public and the author of the article is the freedom and liberty that the United Sates offers to both industrial and artistic endeavors. This is expressed in the democratically displayed innovations and creations that could be seen at the event. This is the ultimate purpose of the article, it seems, for the author.
Sweeney discusses his idea of what the World’s Fair represents to himself. “Here in any case we can hope for a freedom of research and variety of solutions that is not possible with the stricter dictates of approach elsewhere.” (Sweeney 1939) In this way, the freedom of expression was what the fair itself culminated in. This is the reason that Sweeney seems to have been invested in the events that were going on at the event, and what inspired him to write the article.
Works Cited
Sweeney, James Johnson. Thoughts before the World's Fair. Parnassus, Vol. 11, No. 3.
1939. 3-7.
