As the Osaka Expo enters its remaining six weeks earlier than closing on October 13, the worldwide exhibition continues to attract robust curiosity amongst native and international guests. On August 11, ticket gross sales surpassed the 18 million mark, exceeding the break-even level set by organizers and assuaging preliminary fears that the Expo could be a flop.
With 188 pavilions representing 152 taking part nations, organizations and the non-public sector to select from, nevertheless, even guests with multi-day passes can be onerous pressed to expertise a fraction of the signature points of interest, a lot much less cease to ponder the Expo’s theme of “designing future society for our lives.”
Japan Today despatched a workforce to the Expo and take a look at a number of of the preferred pavilions. The workforce had the chance to go to 5 nationwide pavilions – Australia, France, Germany, Jordan and South Korea – and to talk with pavilion representatives about their method to the theme and what they wished individuals to remove after visiting their exhibit.
The Expo’s intention is to convey individuals collectively to create a greater society and discover the right way to obtain a greater future, however every pavilion takes a novel method. Different nationwide and cultural interpretations of the theme formed the ultimate reveals, what guests in the end are supposed to expertise, and even the bodily construction of the pavilions themselves.
People watch a video presentation within the Theatre of Civilisations sand room on the Jordan pavilion. You should take your sneakers off and get to stroll by means of the sand. It’s very good and funky after coming in from the warmth exterior. Image: Nancy Tonnu
From South Korea’s technology-led exhibit to Germany’s laser concentrate on sustainability – down to making sure that 90% of the supplies used within the building of the pavilion might be recycled – and Jordan’s nature- and culture-centered corridor stuffed with purified sand imported from the Wadi Rum desert, every pavilion sought to current their nation’s cultural highlights, break a number of stereotypes and nudge guests to see the world another way.
When Osaka Expo attracts to an in depth, the Grand Ring surrounding the central space – which has been acknowledged by Guinness because the world’s largest wood architectural construction – can be dismantled and recycled and the pavilions taken down, however there’s nonetheless an opportunity to be part of historical past and expertise this once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
In this video spotlight tour, see how sustainability, cultural experiences and artwork mix collectively on the Osaka Expo. Take a stroll by means of the pavilions of South Korea, Australia, Jordan, France and Germany whereas studying about how and why the pavilions have been constructed — straight from workers members, commissioners common and a pavilion director.
Chapters:
00:00 Korea Pavilion
00:36 Australia Pavilion
01:32 Jordan Pavilion
02:58 France Pavilion
05:10 Germany Pavilion
© Japan Today