Spectacles of Nationhood: World's Fairs and Italian Identity Formation

Throughout history, World’s Fairs have functioned as pivotal platforms for nations to showcase their cultural achievements, technological advancements, and ideological frameworks. This panel delves into the intricate dynamics between these expansive events and the process of nation-building in Italy. Situated at the crossroads between monumentality and modernity, World’s Fairs have provided Italy with a platform to (re)shape and assert its political and cultural identity following the unification in 1861, while fostering international relations and galvanizing Italian diasporic communities. Italy’s participation has often aimed to juxtapose its storied Renaissance and classical heritage with contemporary achievements and economic prowess, pursuing a complex negotiation between historical legacy and modernist trends. In turn, domestic socio-cultural shifts and international political turmoil paralleling specific expositions shaped the planning of Italian pavilions and the thematic exhibits.

Central inquiries of this panel encompass Italy’s strategic utilization of art, architecture, and exhibitionary practices, elucidating their contributions to shaping public perceptions and narratives surrounding its national character. Furthermore, this investigation explores the intricate entwinement of politics and art in cultivating and projecting national identity, illuminating the symbiotic relationship between socio-political agendas and aesthetic representations within the context of World’s Fairs.