So Much Pileup‘s got some gorgeous, gorgeous concept drawings of the Japan pavilion at the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville.  Here’s two of my favorites; the first looks like an AIR album cover:

I wonder how closely this held to reality.  These drawings always seem to rely on things like clean floors and sparse attendance to achieve that “FUTURE” effect, but I’m willing to bet that this came close.

Also there’s this.  What is it? Some sort of future-theater? I’m having a tough time finding out. Regardless, amazing:

It looks like it has something to do with the Sunsphere, or maybe it’s creating its own sun, or something.

Or something.

-ds