Anglo America and Latin America Pavilions

Here I want to introduce on one of countries of Anglo-America and
Latin-America Anglo-America in Shanghai Expo.




Canada

Canada is the first country signing a contract agreeing to open an exhibition at Expo 2010.The 6,000-square-meter Canada Pavilion which is covered in polished steel and cedar, features an exhibition themed "The Living City".The Canadian pavilion features the National Film Board of Canada film Glimpses/Impressions, depicting a day in the life of a composite Canadian city. Directed by Jean-François Pouliot, Glimpses was created with over 3,000 animated photos projected onto a large screen with a 150-degree curve.





Mexico

With an area of 4,000 square meters and the theme "Living Better", Mexico's pavilion is located within the set of American pavilions. The physical space divided into three levels represents in turn three different moments of our country's cities. The past in the basement of the pavilion, present-day Mexico at the access level and the future on the platform of the slope. This great plaza is the heart of the Mexican pavilion. It is the representation of a kite forest and our proposal for the future. The natural grass shows the concern for the recovery of green areas in cities and invites people to carry out different activities, from reading a book, to having a picnic or simply resting in the shade



Brazil

The tropical-forest-like Brazil Pavilion shows off the cultural diversity and dynamism of Brazilian cities with the theme "Pulsing Cities: Feel the Life of Brazilian Cities." Brazil invites visitors to touch upon the beat and pulse of its cities. The architectural project of the pavilion was conceived to present visitors with an interactive virtual show, based on audiovisual stimuli using existing models in Brazil, such as the Portuguese Language Museum and Football Museum, for example.

The Joint African Pavilion

The Joint Afican Pavilion

The Joint African Pavilion shows a very subtle relationship between China and African region. It means that how China gains its power on Africa. The Joint African which includes 42 Africa countries and a international institution (AU) is the biggest Pavilion of Shanghai Expo.

Since the opening of the Shanghai Expo, African pavilions have been more popular among tourists, especially the World Cup host' s pavilion - the South Africa Pavilion.

Actually, there are 50 African nations and the African Union present their interpretation of the “Better City, Better Life” theme in Shanghai, , African governments and businesses exhibit at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in efforts to showcase tourism and trade potential. Of the 50 African nations exhibiting, 42 have joined forces to build the Joint-Africa Pavilion, a 22.6 thousand square meters (243,264.38 sq. ft) exhibit hall with individual country exhibition areas and over 100 exhibits from Africa. Located near a main entrance of the expo, construction for the Joint-Africa Pavilion began in August 2008, and is developed in part with investment money from a $100-million fund set up by the organizers of the expo for the over 100 participating developing countries participating. The remaining 8 African countries exhibiting, including South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, will rent their own separate pavilions.




The sequare i front of the Joint Afican Pavilion

The huge wall, dubbed "African smiles" , shows faces of different colors across the world, centered on Lucy, the iconic early human ancestor specimen that walked the Earth 3.2 million years ago and was uncovered in 1974 and nicknamed "Lucy".

The influences of World Expo in the social and political aspects

     The World Expo holding in rountine is an activity,which attracts people's attention all around the world.
It's regulated that the fair is sorted into two types, which are the one holding in every five years and the other is a small fair holding between the two Expos every 3 months. The data above is estimated and sometimes the period between the World Expos changes.

     The purpose of the World Expo is to let the participative countries to interact with other participants by their displays and also prohibit their progress in many fields and prospects in the future. In addition, they can present their power and influences by their products, technology and culture. Some said "it's a record to the wisdom of social civilization and the possibility to the future." It's a right time for those participants to show their achivements in modern culture, techonology and industry.

In social aspects, taking Shanghai for example, it's a both traditional and advanced city before it holds the fair. Some of the people in Shanghai don't look highly on their wearing and behaviors and they don't care about whether they wear the right clothes to the occasion. It's quite a shame for visitors to see the citizens in Shanghai walk around on the street in pajamas, which can easily destroy the image while the China government are making efforts to set up itself an international image. Not only the government does some education to their citizens but also it conducts lots of contructions,such as public transportaions, and some developments, which is much relative to the appearence of the city. Moreover, a few standards which keeps up with those in Europe are released in Shanghai in order to revise the misunderstandings toward the city and the nation in many Westerners' minds.

In political aspects, it's necessary for a host to have a good financial fundament and power if a nation wants to hold a World Expo. Therefore, those who have held the fairs must be equipped with the conditions above because it absolutely costs a huge amount of money to raise such a big activity. It's a recognition and evidence to a country that it's developed enough and has many achivements dominant in the world. Also, the host nation gains reputation since it presents its power and progress in front fo people. After the fair is over, the status of the country who held the fair is much better than before and makes many accesses to many organizations and councils.


All in all, although the nation makes much sacrifice to accomplish the goal, it's worthy of doing it. The total influences makes the country stronger and more open-minded to the world.

Pavilions (UK, France, Italy)

United Kingdom Pavilion

Country:United Kingdom
Capital:London
Theme:Builiding on the Past, Shaping Our Future
Highlights:Seed Cathedral, Wrapping paper
Location:Within Zone c of the Expo site




Features
The first exposition in England was held in Crystal palace at Hyde Park,
but it was destroyed by a fire half century ago. Today, United Kingdom brought a new vision
of Crystal Palace to World Expo. It's a dazzling cube formed by more than 60,000 slim and transparent acrylic rods containing seeds of different plants that were collected in a bio-diversity project. (from official website)

Highlights

1.Green Cities:

Visitors will travel through four UK's capital cities from west to east - Belfast, Cardiff, London and Edinburgh. Large "green maps" of the cities are on display. The best way to show how green British cities really are is to "erase" all the buildings and streets, leaving only the green spaces.

2.Seed Cathedral

The core exposition of the UK's pavilion are different plants.They will be surrounded by the seeds in a 20-meter-high hollow cube-like structure with the seeds embedded in the walls and ceilings. The seeds demonstrate the concept of sustainability, the diversity of nature and the potential of life.

3.Living City

Showing imaginary future plants and a lot of plants in the living city. It wants people to know how scientists do for our earth and how science has used nature in area, and how plants of the future could offer solutions to climate change and other global concerns.

4.Olympic Corner

A place to give visitors a view about the future scene in the Olympics 2012. The area features a large "green map" of the 2.5-square-kilometer Olympic Park in Stratford in East London, which will be turned into the largest city park in Britain

5.City Park

The place is to designed to be the area for performances and for children to play football as a city park. Some UK football stars may be on hand to teach soccer skills to children. Many activities will focus on the English traditional theater- strenching back to Williams Shakesbear. In addition, some performances of currently international prestigious artists and performers.

France Pavilion
Country: Framce
Capital: Paris
Theme: The Sensual City
Highlights: A Style of Floating

Location: Within Zone C of the Expo site

Features

The "Sensual City" itself is impressive with a large, classical roof garden and a pond. The walls of the square-shaped structure, which is made from a special concrete, are covered in plants and it looks like a white floating palace. Gardens are the centerpiece of the pavilion. (from official website)

Highlight

1. Floating Palace

It seems like floating in the beauty rhyme with water

2. French Style Garden

There are streams, fountains and water gardens in it so visitors can enjoy in the sound and aquatic environment. Playing the sound effect of the French city makes people a feeling that they were walking in France.

3. Sights, Smells, Tastes, Sounds and Feel of France

The idea wants to give people both the atmosphere and the sense of France

4. Alain Delon

Alain Delon is a spokesman of France Pavilion and will introduce his close ties with China at the France Pavilion Channel.

5. Cat Leon

The mascot of France will interact with every visitor.

6. Romantic French Wedding

It's a chance for people to witness a romantic French wedding. New couples will tie the knot in the beautiful French-style garden within the pavilion.

Italy Pavilion
Country: Italy
Capital: Rome
Theme: City of Man
Highlights: 20 Functional Modules
Location: Within Zone c of the Expo site


Features
It's inspired the children's game "pick-up sticks," which is known as "Shanghai" in Italy. The rectangular pavilion has been laced with intersecting lines - representing pick-up sticks. It comprises 20 functional modules of different shapes, bounded by the "sticks." They represent Italy's 20 regions. The modules can be assembled into smaller structures. (from the official website)

Hignlights

1.Transparent Concrete

It means making use of a cutting-edge construction material. The building company of the pavilion will promote the material to China after the Expo.

2.Inventions
It includes the country's latest innovations, such as a paint that cleans the air by

eating smog. There are about 300 winning things displayed in the pavilion.

3.Craft show

Italy is known for its crafts and famous brand all over the world. In the pavilion, people can see many art crafts produced by tailors, blacksmiths and violinists.

                                        4. Energy Efficiency

Reference:

World Expo Shanghai China. 8 Jun. 2010 http://en.expo2010.cn/hec/en_gj_tpl_38.htm

Pavilions (China, Japan and Taiwan)

Theme: Chinese Wisdom in Urban Development
Highlights: Traditional Dougong Style
National Pavilion Day: October 1
Location: Within Zone A of the Expo Site




The amazing picture above is China pavilion.

The contour design of the pavilion is based on the concept of "Oriental Crown, Splendid China, Ample Barn, and Rich People," to express the spirit and disposition of Chinese culture. The pavilion will have a core exhibition area on the top floor, an experience area on the second and a functional area on the first. China's achievements in urban development from ancient to modern times will be the core theme of the pavilion. (From the official website)

Features：
The main structure of the China Pavilion, "The Crown of the East," has a distinctive roof, made of traditional dougong or brackets, which date back more than 2,000 years. The dougong style features wooden brackets fixed layer upon layer between the top of a column and a crossbeam. This unique structural component of interlocking wooden brackets is one of the most important elements in traditional Chinese architecture. Dougong was widely used in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-467 BC). (From the official website)

You can see the fabulous struture and the splendid appearance which really shows us China's ambition. As I know, it is the most brightly struture in this expo. When you go in to the expo area, the huge and red building stands still in front of you. I believe it will give every visitor a big shock. We know that China is the host of this world expo, so China pavilion stands for the whole image of China and it sucessfully takes everyone's focus.

(Japan Pavilion)


Theme: Harmony of the Hearts, Harmony of the Skills
Highlights: Breathing Organism
National Pavilion Day: 12 June
Pavilion Area: Around 6,000 Square Meters
Location: Within Zone A of the Expo site


Features:
The Japan Pavilion is a semi-circular structure, covered by a purple membrane material. Several antennae and caves make the pavilion a "breathing organism," which will express the harmony between the human heart and technology. The pavilion has been dubbed "Purple Silkworm Island" by Chinese people.

The pavilion uses solar energy collection batteries hidden in the double-layer membrane, and the cave will collect rainwater to spray on its exterior surface to keep temperatures cool. The pavilion is divided into past, present and future exhibits. (From Official Website)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japan is always featured by its recycle and robot technology. Also, in this world expo, Japan displays its high technology and history. There are robots guiding people in its pavilion and even playing instruments. Jpana also emphasizes on environment protection and power reusing. We can see not only how high-tech Japan is but also its history, because Japan set up three zones, past, present and future in its pavilion to show people its ancient culture and future outlook. To sum up, Japan Pavilion is combined by history and technology.
 
 
 

Theme: Mountain, Water, Heart and Lantern


Location: Within Zone A of the Expo Site




 
 
 
 
 
(Taiwan Pavilion)

Features:
The pavilion design is a transparent cube housing a giant ball in its center. It is mainly made of steel and glass, with the outlines of the island's Mount Morrison and Mount Ali painted on the facade. The main part of the pavilion was built with stone from Jade Mountain and soil from Yin-Ko Town. Taiwan will invite people to fly lanterns for good luck - a traditional island custom - and view its beautiful mountains and lakes at its pavilion. The pavilion showcases the island's scenery, its kind-hearted people and culture with the theme "Mountain, Water, Heart and Lantern." (From Official Website)

Highlight 1:
Movie about Taiwan's Culture and SceneryThe globe, 12 meters in diameter, houses a theater, where a four-minute movie about Taiwan's culture and scenery will be shown. The globe doubles as a screen to show the island's landscapes. (From Official Website)


Highlight 2:
Lantern-flying Ceremony The globe will be suspended over a pool of water, which will reflect the images shown on the globe. Visitors will be invited to take part in a multimedia lantern-flying ceremony on a platform above the pool. If 40 people make a ring on the platform, each of them will trigger a beam that will light the globe. (From Official Website)

Although Taiwan Pavilion is not as big as others, it still attracts many visitors to take a look on it. I think the pavilion is really attractive because people do not need to go into the building but can watch the pictures on the LED screen outside. Moreover, Taiwan Pavilion is not very huge so it takes people much time to wait for entering in. However, the huge LED screen solves the problem. Taiwan is not very strong, but it contains many kinds of cultures and features which are totally showed to people.







References: http://en.expo2010.cn/

World Expo 2010 in Shanghai

Duration: May 1 to Oct 31, 2010
Location: Shanghai China
Feature: Better City, Better Life
Expected visitors: 70 million
Pavillion: more than 200


First af all, you can see the sign above. It is like a chinese word, 世. If we take this word apart, we can see that the word is actually formed by three people who are hugging each other which is like a peaceful family. Moreover, these three people can be viewed as the whole world, and we all are pursuing a better life. It points out the theme of this expo--focusing on human beings.

We know that the first world exposition was held in London in 1851. In 2010, China is charged to hold the exposition. China claims that this exposion will be the most successful one in the history and the country is going to show its high technology and the international thoughts. Being the first developing country holding the exposition, China is definitely going to present a splendid, wonderful and also successful exposition to the whole world.

Expo 2010 Shanghai is the combination of urban life and modern cities in 21st century. Since there will be 55% people living in major big cities in countries, this exposition is going to present a better urben life and a more prospect society. This time, its focus will be put on the innocation and interaction. Let's read a short paragraph from the official website.

Expo 2010 Shanghai China will centre on innovation and interaction. Innovation is the soul, while cultural interaction is an important mission of the World Expositions. In the new era, Expo 2010 Shanghai China will contribute to human-centred development, scientific and technological innovation, cultural diversity and win-win cooperation for a better future, thus composing a melody with the key notes of highlighting innovation and interaction in the new century.


Theme song:
Right Here Waiting For You 2010
City
Smile City

Mascot: Haibao



This mascot is created from chinese people and it embodies the character of chinese culture.

References:
The official website: http://en.expo2010.cn/

Origin

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_fair

     The definition of World Fair means “various large public exhibitions held in different parts of the world”. It can also be called, which is an abbreviation of Exposition. There are other names people use to call it, such as World’s Fair, Universal Exposition and World Fair. The idea of World’s Fairs originated in the French tradition of national exhibitions. Other European countries were influenced by France and later London held the first real international exhibition on May 1 of 1851. It was the idea of Queen Vitoria’s husband, Prince Albert, that Queen Vitoria opened the Exhibition of manufactured products in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park. The Britain Empire’s powerfulness and industrialization were exposed all over the world, which consolidated a high position for England at the age. It was the precedent of many international fairs so people gave it another name” World’s Fair”.

     There are lots of pavilions at World’s Fairs and each of them is responsible a particular country. The style and design of architecture represents the characteristic of the country. At World’s Fair, two types of expositions can be seen: registered and recognized. Registered expositions are the biggest displays and every nations show their new inventions or specialties. For example, Italy usually presents international well-known brands and Japan likes to presents its invention of Robot. Recognized ones are smaller and usually organizers build for participating states. They can exhibit in there without taxes, rents, charges and expenses. The former duration during the exhibition is longer than the latter. In addition, a third category of exposition is the horticultural exposition where gardens and garden pavilions take the form of a participant’s representation.

World’s Fair can be divided into the era of industrialization, the era of cultural exchange, and the era of nation branding.

Industrialization(1851-1938):

During the period, the expositions focused on trade and the show of technological inventions and advancements. The famous inventions, such as the telephone, were first displayed during this era.

Cultural exchange(1939-1987):

Although technology and inventions were still important, the fairs put more emphasis on cultural significance and began to address issues of humankind. For example, the theme of NY World’s Fair in 1939 is” Building the World of Tomorrow” and Stockholm World’s Fair in 1949 is”Sports”.

Nation branding(1988-present):

It has been a trend to use the exposition to express national images through pavilions since the Expo’88 in Brisbane.

Today’s World’s Expositions include elements of all three eras.