Irish Pavilion, World’s Fair, New York 1964

The commission for the Irish Pavilion at the 1964/65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York was awarded to the Irish architect, Andrew Devane. An article which appeared in The Irish Times on the 12^th June 1963 assured the public that the Irish pavilion would “be unpretentious and neither excessively modernistic nor falsely traditional.” The complex in its entirety is depicted on a 5 penny Irish stamp.

Devane was assisted by the American designer, George Nelson and the wooden canopy is reminiscent of Nelson’s 1946 platform bench. The entrance, with its Liscannor slate façade was a popular spot in which to be photographed. This Irish-American lady was one of the ca. 3.8 million visitors to the Irish section and I love her pale green shift dress. The horizontal shadows create an interesting pattern on the slate wall adding a dappled effect to this 1964 kodacolor print.

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