FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN: 1951

The Festival of Britain took place in 1951, opened by King George, it celebrated the nations recovery after the Second World War. It was a showcase of the best science, technology and design aimed to inspire the redevelopment of an already ruined London. The festival was an attempt to give a feeling of recovery and progress and to promote better-quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities following the war.

Skylon (Source)

Several graphic and architechtural designers were recruited to aid the design and construction of various buildings. Abram Games was the graphic designer for the event, as an official war poster artist at the time he heavily influenced people to visit the festival with his series of posters and flyers.

The Skylon a large, unusual shaped tower described as a "vertical feature", was one of the most notable structures of the festival.  Aimed as less of an art statement and more futuristic thinking, the tower is supported through tensegrity using three cables to support it, coated in alliminum and lit at night, the Skylon was the most thought-provoking piece at the festival.