French Student Scholar Showcase 2014

Exposition mondiale de Paris 1900

Lynchburg College French students participate in 2014 Scholar Showcase

The Grand Palais, built in the Neo-Baroque and Art Nouveau styles, was constructed for the fair. Its vast space included exhibits of sculpture, a track for horse shows, and a motor show during the eight months of the event. Millie Walker

The world-famous Ringling Bros. Barnum Bailey circus was present at the fair and featured remarkable acts and exhibits that gave visitors a once in a lifetime experience. April Love

Edgar Degas’ painting were on exhibit along with the other great Impressionists. He is best known for his ballet dancers, theatre scenes, and horses at the racetrack.

Erin Sinski

One of the great attractions of the fair was la Grande Roue, a gigantic “ferris” wheel that was one of the outstanding attractions of the event and was the largest ever constructed.

Hannah Gage

The paintings of Claude Monet, father of Impressionism, were featured in the largest exhibit of modern painting every assembled. Sierra Spicer

One of Paris’ most luxurious hotels today, Hôtel Régine was built for the fair on the site of the Louvre Palace royal stables. It’s Art Nouveau style is still appreciated and the well-to-do still enjoy its atmosphere, its cuisine.

Emily Moore

Jacques Perrin is a French filmmaker with a special interest in nature and ecology. His documentary Oceans received international acclaim along with his film which is a study of the insect world, Microcosmos. He is a talented actor and played a role in Christophe Barratier’s film, Les Choristes. Shoyeong Kim

A project looking at the César Awards, especially the history of the awards, their creation, and the process of selection and awarding.

Christine Swett

Landscapes, still life, and portraits by Paul Cezanne were shown at the fair and drew large crowds who appreciated his unique style and extraordinary use of colors. Zach Marquart

The head of the Statue of Liberty was on display at the fair. In the final stages of assembly, this remarkable creation by Eiffel and the Italian sculptor, Bartholdi, was a gift to the United States to commemorate its 100th birthday. Seth Perry

The French had long enjoyed carousels and were known for the elaborate artwork that decorated them. During the fair the music from the carousels added to the joyful atmosphere among the crowds. Traditionally, the carousels were populated with horses, but other animals were featured as well. Josh Perry

Alice Guy and other women pioneers in film making, made great contributions to the early industry and were perhaps overlooked by history as the focus was on the male film experimenters.

Melanie Armstrong

Two brothers, Auguste and Louis Lumière, developed the first moving picture projectors and organized the first public showing of a movie in a café in Paris in 1895. Their experimentation led to the success of film making as an art form.

https://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=4nj0vEO4Q6s

Tori Travers

World War I & II are superbly depicted in the films, Joyeux Noël, based on a true story from WW I, Au revoir les enfants, a story of Jewish students hidden in a boys school in France, and Bon Voyage, starring Gérard Depardieu, about the German occupation of Paris and the mass exodus to Bordeaux.

Emily Davis

Rudoph Diesel, inventor and engineer, developed an engine that did not require oil. At the unveiling of his engine he introduced it with the words “ladies and gentlemen— Peanut Oil”. Diesel sought to built an engine available to the every day man that freed him from dependence on the oil industry. He took home the Grand Prixthe most prestigious prize awarded. Ethan Owens

The Petit Palais, built for the fair, provided space for exhibits of art and is appreciated today for its Art Nouveau style of architecture and its colonnade of pink marble. Shari Sites

The United States’ contribution to the fair, le Pavillon des EtatsUnis, included a building resembling the Capitol and featured colonades adorned with the goddess of Liberty, and a triumphal arch with a statue of George Washington. Hannah Cooke

The French began experimenting with hot air balloons in the late 18th century so was a popular part of the fair. Eugène Mercier, a champagne merchant, engaged an elegant balloon that was tethered near the Eiffel Tower. Visitors could ascend above the crowds while tasting various champagnes. An telescope attached to the gondola provided remarkable views from aloft. Ashley Boyd

The paintings of Claude Monet, father of Impressionism, were featured in the largest exhibit of modern painting every assembled.

Grace Fielder

One of the most elaborate exhibits from foreign nations was le Village suisse. A complete village was created with a variety of craftsmen making cheeses, making wood carvings, etc. A stroll through the exhibit was like visiting a charming town such as Bern or Lausanne.

Elliot Rentenbach

Watch videos taken during the event, some of which were taken by Thomas Edison.

http://media.lynchburg.edu/player/?5344061 1262cd