History of Art & Architecture
What’s in a name? Visualizing Latin-, Hispano-, Ibero-, and Pan- American alliances at international expositions, 1901-1929
My project studies world fairs as privileged global stages on which international relations were forged, with a specific focus on how the built environment and visual culture of American pavilions conveyed regional and hemispheric political, cultural, and economic alliances. My investigation is based on the visual analysis and historical contextualization of architecture and landscape design, fine arts exhibitions, and promotional material culture (such as posters, logos, stamps, postcards, among others) associated with these events. Through this approach, I show how world fairs played an important role in constructing the concept of “Latin America” as a homogenous entity, despite records indicating that individual countries harbored diverse aspirations and international agendas.