The Exposition Illuminated



First attempt to light an exposition indirectly, from concealed sources--
Notable success of Ryan's work--Transformation of the Tower of Jewels--
Details of his method--Weirdness of the Court of Ages at night.



Beautiful as the Exposition is by day, it is at night that it becomes
loveliest as a spectacle. Then it is a great glow of soft color, without
shadow, but also without garishness. Never before has the attempt been
made to light an exposition as this one is lighted. The highest standard
before attained was a blaze of electric light secured by outlining the
buildings with incandescent bulbs. That was the work of electricians.
Here the illuminators are artists who have created a great picture of
light and color.

There is no blaze or glare. Light floods the Exposition, but from
concealed sources. All-pervasive, seemingly without source, the
illumination is rather a quality of the Exposition atmosphere than an
effect of lights. Nor is it a white light. It is softened and tinged
with the warmest and mellowest of colors. So mellow, indeed, is the
illumination that it would not even be brilliant but for the radiance of
thousands of prisms hung about the great Tower of Jewels, the intense
light of which swathes the lofty structure in a pure glow, at once
bright and ethereal. (p. 135.)