Accession Number
2016/2.220

Title
IBM Fair

Artist(s)
Paul Rand

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1964

Medium & Support
offset lithograph on paper

Dimensions
40 ¼ in x 32 ½ in (102.24 cm x 82.55 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo and Maria Phillips

Subject matter
IBM’s distributed brochures with this image at its pavilion during the New York World’s Fair in 1964. Paul Rand also reused this image in a children’s book Sparkle and Spin. In this design, Rand toys with the viewer’s conception of a fair by using motifs more commonly associated with a circus than the prestigious World’s Fair. Rand relates the pageantry and excitement of the circus with the technological advancements of IBM. IBM’s products are reliable, but also a spectacle worth watching.

EC 2017

Physical Description
A colorful poster that spells out 'FAIR' across its center, with an ornate border comprising various designs and patterns.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.