Matthew Waldman Vol. 01: Lost Future City

Vol.1 Lost Future City

Forward

My mind is always buzzing with thoughts about design, creation, and their processes. As I've consistently said in interviews and features over the past few years, I feel the need to delve deeper into my own "process," both within NOOKA and in other projects.

While it might not be directly related to this topic, what I want to start now is the "Creative Mapping Project."

Everyone, consciously or unconsciously, navigates their lives guided by three elements: "influences," "motivations," and "inspirations." Of course, some people live their lives simply harboring these elements internally, without ever consciously acknowledging them...

Furthermore, these three elements are easily confused. However, I believe that striving to understand them clearly within oneself leads to better presentations, rather than simply shaping clear and understandable concepts in design work. (Actually, the element I'm most aware of lacking is "motivation," but if I started writing about that, it would get very long, so I'll skip it for today.)

This is the kind of theme I intend to explore in future articles for "OPENERS." And please, don't misunderstand: the goal is by no means to become nostalgic.

Lost Future City

I've heard that the 1939 New York World's Fair was the most futuristic. Looking at the materials from that era, I certainly agree! But since I wasn't born yet, all I can do is imagine based on those records.

IBM Pavilion

I lived near the site of the 1964-1965 World's Fair as a child, and my parents often took me there from when I was an infant. We lived in a rather modest apartment, and they frequently took me to Flushing Meadow Park. Those memories remain deeply etched in my mind and have, of course, influenced me ever since.

Even without reading any of the explanatory signs in the park, as a child, I naturally perceived it as "This is the future city!" Yet, over 40 years later, almost none of those dreams, that future, has materialized.

The Unisphere in 1965

Of course, World's Fairs showcase the ideal designs and technologies of their time. Since I wasn't even born during the 1964-1965 fair, I experienced it through the architecture that remained after the fair concluded.

Just seeing that architecture made the New York World's Fair a part of my "inspiration" for design and art... I wondered, "Will New York City really transform into a city like this?!"

Helicopter pad

New York State Pavilion

The current New York State Pavilion

A miniature model of NYC at the Queens Museum

The fair's architecture was used throughout my high school years. The New York State Pavilion became a roller-skating rink. The helicopter pad was used for weddings. The museum remained the Hall of Science... The Unisphere often appears in films, and the New York State Pavilion was used as a spaceship in "Men In Black." However, apart from the Unisphere, most of it is in disrepair and will likely disappear in the near future.

I'm not a nostalgic or preservationist by nature, but if anyone is interested in how these structures inspired Disneyland in Anaheim and Disney World in Orlando, I suggest visiting them soon.

The Queens Museum is also located on the former fairgrounds. If you visit with the 1964 fair in mind, you'll be amazed! There's still a miniature model of New York City. It's approximately 870 square meters! When I was a child, a monorail ran around the model! But it seems the monorail no longer operates. Most tourists don't go, but I think it's worth the visit.

1964 New York World's Fair commemorative bag

Why not take a tour of this non-existent future city while walking around the museum? The Ford monorail was later moved to Disneyland in Anaheim; I wonder if it's still running?

New York aimed to be a "future city," but it might soon be overtaken by Beijing.

Reference | http://www.queensmuseum.org/