colourful lights of canada

Theme: The Living City: Inclusive, Sustainable, Creative

By the time we got to the Canada Pavilion, it was already nightfall, didn’t have the chance to see what it looked like during the day. And this was the only picture i took.

These blocks when used as a screen, together with sound, produced amazing 3D effect.

A virtual waterfall that changes its pictures when touched. It thought it was quite magical.

Video on curved screen at the auditorium. i remembered that i really like the music a lot... if only there were soundtracks on sale. It was a perfect marriage of beautiful images and music.

Pane Mundial by Alain Paiement. A direct translation from the chinese title 破碎世界 would be Broken World. Despite its depressing title, i thought it was a happy scenario at the bakery with people baking, selling and delivering.

Rating: Must See!

Shanghai Expo 2010.

birthdays

“i like birthdays, just not so sure about the part on growing old... yet.”

Well, i’m not complaining though, it’s just some random thoughts that came up. My sis got me a birthday cake one day early. And as you can see from the pictures, my 2.5 years old niece was very excited and happy, she thought its her birthday AGAIN.

Me: “Who’s birthday is this?”

My niece: “Jiuri! Yeay!” (she meant herself and started clapping)

Last year alone, she had at least six birthdays.

And today, i spent a full day shopping plus dinner with friends. It wasn’t not bad at all :-)

flying kites in mexico

Theme: Living Better – History and Future

Visiting the Mexico pavilion was like a trip to an art gallery, and that’s already good enough for me :-)

We by-passed* this above-ground open area exhibition and went straight to lower ground.

Shapes of kites can be seen everywhere from ceiling to wall.

Mayan City, 1958 by Gunther Gerzso. In Mayan city, Gunther Gerzso alludes to Pre-Hispanic architecture using limpid, synthetic lines. The solidity of the forms reminds us of weighty limestone in Mayan edifics, while the composition of overlapping planes evokes the layout of Mayan cities. This work is a fine example of the re-signification of artistic heritage. (Note: the above is only a portion of the full painting)

Muddy River, 1949 by José Chávez Morado. The painting shows the relationship of the city and its inhabitants. In a distinctive use of space, the artist depicts the activities that symbolize the changes and conflicts that converge in the Mexico’s capital city during the key period of urban construction and expansion. For this work, the artist was awarded a prize in the “Mexico City Interpreted by its Painters” competition in 1949.

Little Men and Little Women, 2000 by Javier Marín. The public spaces are filled with interactions. The installation “little men and little women” of the Mexican arist Javier Marín retakes the human figure and his expressivity as a basic element. Also, each piece individual strength is remarked and increased by the relations of the complex, filling the space of singular and collectives strengths.

Mini screens were hidden behind these masks. Through the eyes of these characters, we watched short videos of the everyday life of mexicans.

Last but not least, a self-portrait of Frida Kahlo!

Rating: Check it out/Or Must See! (if you’re an art lover)

Shanghai Expo 2010

*The temperature suddenly dropped at night and the wind was exceptionally strong. All we could think of was to escape indoors as soon as we found one.

the crown of china

Theme: Chinese Wisdom in Urban Development

The China Pavilion, also known as “The Crown of the East”, takes on the shape of the Chinese emperor’s crown, is a traditional Dougong style building (interlocking method – wooden brackets fixed layer upon layer between the top of a column and a crossbeam). i wasn’t impressed with the contour design at first till i saw the real thing, and even more so after the exhibitions.

China pavilion was probably the most popular site at the Expo. All visitors to the pavilion have to get reservation tickets beforehand. There were tight security at the entrance, no use trying luck to jump queue or sneak in (after three days at the Expo, i was convinced that it was one of the most capable acts performed by local visitors). Most people queued one or two hours before the opening hours in order to get tickets. i told myself i should at least try to make an effort to get one but only at a decent timing. My friend and i reached at about 9.30am (the Expo opened at 9am). After passing through the security check point at the Expo entrance, i was still looking around for my friend when one of the Expo workers suddenly shoved a ticket into my hand. i still have no idea of the proper procedure how reservation tickets are being issued, but since i got my hand on one, i have no complains :-)

Once inside the pavilion, the elevator took us straight up to the 12th floor (the highest), to view the first exhibition – a video about China’s past 30 years of reform.

After the video, We exited the omnimax theatre to view typical setups of local homes from 1871 to the present. i guess these antique furniture brought back fond memories for the elder locals as i heard many of them chatting away excitedly.

Next, my favourite part of the whole exhibition! A famous classical Chinese painting “Along the River during the Qingming Festival”, originally painted by Zhang Zeduan, a Song Dynasty artist, was reproduced in a 49m long hall through a huge screen. Using multimedia technology, characters in the painting came alive, portraying daily activities from morning till night fall. It was fascinating to watch.

At the Land of Hope was a big screen showing urban living. i stayed briefly and moved on.

Drawings by young children from all parts of China hanging along the long corridors as we proceeded to the next exhibit area.

An excursion train ride that reminded me of Disneyland’s “It’s a small world”. The ride brought us through the urban development of China from ancient to modern.

The last hall showcasing the latest low-carbon technologies.

China pavilion at night, with Macau’s bunny looking on.

It was one of the best experience at the Expo.

Rating: Must see!

Shanghai Expo 2010.

A few of the images were from my friend’s camera.

And some of the information were taken from here.