Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939

World’s fairs were the most important vehicles for debuting advancements in modern living. These renowned expositions were showcases and marketplaces for design on an international level, and they democratized design more than any previous forum. Accompanying a groundbreaking exhibition of decorative arts, Inventing the Modern World explores innovation and its effect on the creation of objects and modern life. Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 examples of furniture, metalwork, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and textiles from private and public collections, primarily in the US and Europe, many never before published.

Edited by Jason T. Busch and Catherine L. Futter. Accompanied exhibition at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, April 14 to August 19, 2012; and Carnegie Museum of Art, October 13, 2012 to February 24, 2013.

2012; softcover and hardcover; 304 pages; available from Skira Rizzoli Publications Inc.; ISBN 978-0-88039-055-2