Expedition Overview
In 2014, CyArk documented the New York State Pavilion, one of few remaining structures from the 1964-65 World’s Fair. Included on the World Monument Fund’s 2008 list of most endangered sites, CyArk partnered with the University of Central Florida, and Langan Engineering to digitally document and archive the structure. CyArk used laser technology (LiDAR) and photogrammetry to record the present condition of the pavilion.
Introducing the New York State Pavilion
The structural skeleton of the New York State Pavilion’s “Tent of Tomorrow” echoes a world on the cusp of technological innovation. Designed by architect, Philip Johnson, three futuristic towers sit next to the circular tent-like structure, held up by sixteen columns and a massive circular steel frame. In 1964, the cables on the steel frame supported translucent fiberglass panels where people gathered to watch and listen to live shows under a warm expanse of multi-colored light. In addition to its technological construction, the site was a catalyst for other kinds of innovation, including work by renowned artists Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg. Today, the "Tent of Tomorrow" is part of the NYC park system and immersed in ongoing discussions of how to preserve the city's forward-thinking past for future generations.
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View of the New York State Pavilion outside the 1964 New York World Fair's "Tent of Tomorrow."
Observation Towers
The tallest of the observation towers at the pavilion became the highest structure at the World’s Fair. For 50 cents, visitors could take a ride on the tower’s elevator and on a clear day see New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Digital render of the New York State Pavilion (2014) by CyArkCyArk
LiDAR (laser scan data) render of New York State Pavilion documentation.
Open Heritage 3D by CyArkCyArk
Data from this project is now freely available through Open Heritage 3D.
Download the data from this project.
About Open Heritage 3D
The mission of the Open Heritage 3D project is to:
● Provide open access to 3D cultural heritage datasets for education, research and other
non-commercial uses.
● Minimize the technical, financial and legal barriers for publishers of 3D heritage data.
● Promote discovery and re-use of datasets through standardized metadata and data formats.
● Foster community collaboration and knowledge sharing in the 3D cultural heritage community.
● Share best practices and methodologies for the capture, processing and storage of 3D cultural heritage data
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This project was made possible with the following partners:
University of Central Florida
New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
Langan Engineering & Environmental Services
Queens Museum
People for the Pavillion
Faro
