Utopian Visions and World's Fairs
A Symposium at the Hagley Museum and Library
Call for Papers
On April 15, 2005, the Hagley Museum and Library will sponsor a symposium on utopian visions at world's fairs and international expositions. These mammoth festivals have been sites for many groups and individuals to present utopian perspectives on the modern world. Inventors, reformers, manufacturers, private associations, and governments have used the facilities and publicity of the fairs to present their responses to contemporary problems, promising new visions for human experience and expanded opportunities for enjoying life. We invite papers that discuss the use of material culture, especially technology and consumer goods, to exhibit and represent utopian visions, as well as proposals concerning ideas that were introduced at the fairs for promoting scientific, industrial and human development.
Proposals may focus on any World's Fair held in North America, beginning with the Centennial Exposition of 1876. The symposiumis being held in conjunction with an exhibition at Hagley on world's fairs and international expositions. Proposals are due by November 1, 2004 and should be sent to Dr. Roger Horowitz, Hagley Museum and Library, PO Box 3630, Wilmington DE 19807, email rh@udel.edu, fax 302-655-3188. Support may be available for travel to the conference by presenters.