An ongoing photographic project that re-imagines the 1939 New York World’s Fair’s “diverse future" concept. This World's Fair theme was a look to the future and was organized to be an "everyman's fair," where every person would be able to see what could be attained for themselves and their community.
A comprehensive review of 13,550 archived fair images from the New York Public Library reveals a stark reality: less than 3% highlight people of color. This absence underscores the unfulfilled promise and a futuristic vision that is far from inclusive. "The World of Tomorrow" aims to solve this glaring omission, using photography as a tool to construct scenes of what this utopian society should have looked like.
My intention with this work is to digitize and share all imagery, behind the scenes, World’s Fair memorabilia, and project insights. This diverse archive will be available online and at in-person events, serving as a vital resource for researchers, students, and the general public.
Project Inspiration
On April 30, 1939, the colossal New York World’s Fair opened in what is now Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, in the borough of Queens. The 1939 world exposition — or “expo,” for short — was unique in many respects, not least in that it differed in both theme and purpose from the expositions that had come before, in places like Paris, London, Chicago, and St. Louis. Those world’s fairs had, by and large, celebrated technological innovation and advances in science and medicine. The New York World’s Fair, on the other hand, took as its focus nothing less than, in the words of the fair’s official bulletin, presenting visions of “The World of Tomorrow.”
This, the fair told its visitors — more than 40 million of them, by the time the expo ended — this is what we believe the future will look like.
1939 World’s Fair Memorabilia
A comprehensive collection of historical materials related to one of the most significant events of the 20th century. The World's Fair, held in Flushing Meadows Park, New York, was a major international exhibition that showcased technology, innovation, and progress. The event was attended by over 44 million people and featured exhibits from countries around the world.
This collection of souvenirs includes a wide range of materials, including photographs, postcards, brochures, pamphlets, maps, posters, and other memorabilia that provide a rich historical record of the event. Serving dual purpose, these items showcase the unique architecture and design of the fairgrounds while also acting as a “visual justification” for the direction of my photography project.
My intention is to preserve these materials and make them accessible to a wider audience. The collection will be digitized and made available online for researchers, students, and the general public. For file assets or custom requests, please email:
info@tomorrowsclassic.com
Creative Process
Step One: Location Scouting
The World of Tomorrow entails photography set within buildings of notable architectural significance, designed by Santiago Calatrava, Zaha Hadid, and Eero Saarinen.
Step Two: Model Scouting
The creative direction of the series aims to integrate models from diverse communities, ages, and identities, incorporating their unique perspectives into the project's thematic narrative.
Step Three: Hair, Clothing, and Accessories
The stylistic direction of the series will feature a 1950s aesthetic, with era-appropriate clothing, accessories, and hairstyles. This will be achieved through the engagement of professional hairstylists, meticulous sourcing of period-appropriate attire, and carefully selected accessories.
Step Four: Studio Test Images
Test images will are conducted to ensure that each models clothing fits and photographs well.
Step Five: Location Walkthrough
A comprehensive location walkthrough is undertaken, with the objective of identifying optimal lighting and compositional arrangements. Each location will be visited at various times of the day to ensure all visual variables are accounted for.
Step Six: Photography and Post Processing
The resulting images will be captured with intentionality, with the goal of conveying a retro-futuristic society. Post-production will be conducted with respect to the original vision of the architects, limiting retouching and maintaining the integrity of the intended aesthetic.
Grants, Awards, Residencies
(2021) Hasselblad Masters Finalist, Category: Art
(2020) Adobe Creative Residency Community Fund Grant
Credits
Photographer: Jose Morales
Retouching: Jose Morales
Bts Images: JD Bryne, Nathaniel Schmidt, and Alex Caval
World's Fair Images: © New York Public Library