It was announced today that the Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture Company has won the competition to design Astana, Kazakhstan's world's fair, Expo 2017.
On Expo 2017's official site:
The winner of the International Architectural Contest for Expo 2017 revealed
22 October 2013
Walt Disney and World's Fairs
On my separate blog, written in conjunction with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), I've written about the many connections between Walt Disney and world's fairs.
Part 1:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/walt-disney-and-world-s-fairs-part-1
Part 2:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/walt-disney-and-world-s-fairs-part-2
Part 1:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/walt-disney-and-world-s-fairs-part-1
Part 2:
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/walt-disney-and-world-s-fairs-part-2
28 August 2013
Communicating the Benefits of Future World's Fairs: Look to the Past
I had a bit of a revelation today.
I read a lot of news articles about world's fairs -- both past ones as well as proposed ones. Many of these articles feature comments afterwards. I think I've discovered an interesting pattern, at least in the United States and Canada.
In articles about past world's fairs, people lament that we don't have events like those anymore -- ones that bring a community together with a shared purpose and to celebrate. Oftentimes, people will mistakenly says something along the lines of "It's a shame they don't have world's fairs anymore." Sometimes you'll get the sentiment that people had more vision in the past and that we should be grateful for what was left behind.
In articles about proposed future world's fairs, comments tend to concentrate on the cost of the events: how we can't afford to have these events or that it would end badly with cost overruns and the like. Sometimes, oddly, they talk about how we should concentrate on creating infrastructure instead -- forgetting (or not realizing) that world's fairs are a good way to create civic buildings, transportation options, or even totally new communities.
How does this add up in my mind? Well, I'm still trying to figure it out, but we seem to think that we can no longer do what our predecessors did. We don't seem to think that it's appropriate to dream about possibilities in our communities.
In some ways, we think that dreaming is for "other countries" now. If we really believe that, then sadly, it will become true.
So, what can we do about it? We need to get more people to understand how we benefit, every day, from these events in the past -- not just physical infrastructure, but also world's fairs' immaterial benefits to a community. We then need to communicate that we can STILL do this today.
I read a lot of news articles about world's fairs -- both past ones as well as proposed ones. Many of these articles feature comments afterwards. I think I've discovered an interesting pattern, at least in the United States and Canada.
In articles about past world's fairs, people lament that we don't have events like those anymore -- ones that bring a community together with a shared purpose and to celebrate. Oftentimes, people will mistakenly says something along the lines of "It's a shame they don't have world's fairs anymore." Sometimes you'll get the sentiment that people had more vision in the past and that we should be grateful for what was left behind.
In articles about proposed future world's fairs, comments tend to concentrate on the cost of the events: how we can't afford to have these events or that it would end badly with cost overruns and the like. Sometimes, oddly, they talk about how we should concentrate on creating infrastructure instead -- forgetting (or not realizing) that world's fairs are a good way to create civic buildings, transportation options, or even totally new communities.
How does this add up in my mind? Well, I'm still trying to figure it out, but we seem to think that we can no longer do what our predecessors did. We don't seem to think that it's appropriate to dream about possibilities in our communities.
In some ways, we think that dreaming is for "other countries" now. If we really believe that, then sadly, it will become true.
So, what can we do about it? We need to get more people to understand how we benefit, every day, from these events in the past -- not just physical infrastructure, but also world's fairs' immaterial benefits to a community. We then need to communicate that we can STILL do this today.
13 August 2013
Ekaterinburg's Expo 2020 In Trouble?
It's been interesting to see the movement against Sochi, Russia's 2014 Winter Olympics start to focus on the 2018 FIFA World Cup... and now to the Ekaterinburg, Russia's bid to host Expo 2020: a world's fair with the theme of "The Global Mind." The Expo 2020 bid is mentioned in Monday's New York Times article, but what's NOT mentioned is that there are two other cities (in addition to Ekaterinburg, Russia and Dubai, UAE) that are bidding for Expo 2020: Izmir, Turkey and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
It's been my impression from talking to insiders that Ekaterinburg and Dubai had the best chances at winning, but I wonder if many countries will start looking at the Izmir and Sao Paulo bids with renewed eyes.
The decision on who will host Expo 2020 will be made in November. Delegates from the 167 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will vote in Paris.
It's been my impression from talking to insiders that Ekaterinburg and Dubai had the best chances at winning, but I wonder if many countries will start looking at the Izmir and Sao Paulo bids with renewed eyes.
The decision on who will host Expo 2020 will be made in November. Delegates from the 167 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) will vote in Paris.
18 July 2013
So far, Expo 2015's confirmed participants represent 86% of the world's population. I put this map together tonight to show the countries that haven't confirmed yet. The ones with percentages are countries who represent more than 0.5% of the world's population:
- United States, 4.46%
- Philippines, 1.38%
- United Kingdom, 0.89%
- South Africa, 0.75%
- Ukraine, 0.64%
- Poland, 0.54%
- Canada, 0.50%
Expo 2015 opens in 652 days. I hope we don't have a repeat of Expo 2010's United States Pavilion, which was put together at the last minute... or worse, a repeat of Expo 2000's United States Pavilion which was canceled.
We need to find a way to do this better here in the United States. We need an ongoing organization dedicated specifically to fund and authorize our participation in world's fairs.
11 July 2013
Walt Disney and World's Fairs
I'm putting together a page on ExpoMuseum.com about Walt Disney and world's fairs and I'm hoping folks out there might have some information for me or can direct me in the right direction.
What's well known, of course, is that Walt Disney's father was a carpenter at 1893 Chicago and that Walt Disney himself was involved in exhibits at 1939-1940 New York, 1958 Brussels, and 1964-1965 New York (although he, himself, didn't attend 1939-1940 New York.
It's also well known that he attended 1939-1940 San Francisco and 1962 Seattle.
Mickey Mouse items were created in conjunction with 1933-1934 Chicago, but I haven't found evidence that Walt Disney attended.
In the Walt Disney Family Museum, where I work, we have awards from a film festival at1935 Brussels and I know that his family traveled to Europe that year. I haven't found evidence that they visited however. It seems likely the Disney Family could have visited 1937 Paris, as well, but I'm looking for documentation.
As far the expositions AFTER Walt Disney's death in 1966, I've heard that both the mascots at 1984 New Orleans and 1988 Brisbane were created by the Walt Disney Company, but I'm looking for proof.
The Walt Disney Company was a sponsor of the US Pavilion at 2010 Shanghai. That I certainly have information about.
Can anyone help fill in the gaps?
1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Book
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending Cathy Maloney's presentation about world's fair gardens. Appropriately, she's the author of the book World's Fair Gardens. The event took place at the Walt Disney Family Museum, located in San Francisco's Presidio, adjacent to the site of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
There, I met Laura Ackley. She's currently doing research on a book about the 1915 world's fair in time for its centennial in 2015.
For more information about her efforts, visit SF1915.com.
There, I met Laura Ackley. She's currently doing research on a book about the 1915 world's fair in time for its centennial in 2015.
For more information about her efforts, visit SF1915.com.
09 July 2013
Astana, Give Me an "A!"
I was rather fond of the existing Expo 2017 bid logo, but apparently there are plans to use a different logo for the event itself. They've narrowed down the designs to seven.
My personal favorite is the fifth one, a stylized "A." I think it's unique, addresses the theme in a broad way and feels appropriate for Kazakhstan and Central Asia in general.
The first one, to me, is a little too "on the nose" for an energy theme and seems to limit the theme to a narrower definition of "energy."
The second and fourth ones are pleasant, but I could see both used for lots of uses. They seems very generic. Is it a world's fair? A software company? A shipping company?
The third one is just too obvious and relies too much on an overdone typographic trick.
The sixth one is a bit too simple for my tastes... and also looks very much like Aichi, Japan's Expo 2005 logo.
The seventh one is nice, too, but again, I think it seems to narrow the theme too much a specific definition of "energy." It would make an excellent solar power company logo, however.
You can vote here:
http://www.expo2017astana.com/ru/voting/
My personal favorite is the fifth one, a stylized "A." I think it's unique, addresses the theme in a broad way and feels appropriate for Kazakhstan and Central Asia in general.
The first one, to me, is a little too "on the nose" for an energy theme and seems to limit the theme to a narrower definition of "energy."
The second and fourth ones are pleasant, but I could see both used for lots of uses. They seems very generic. Is it a world's fair? A software company? A shipping company?
The third one is just too obvious and relies too much on an overdone typographic trick.
The sixth one is a bit too simple for my tastes... and also looks very much like Aichi, Japan's Expo 2005 logo.
The seventh one is nice, too, but again, I think it seems to narrow the theme too much a specific definition of "energy." It would make an excellent solar power company logo, however.
You can vote here:
http://www.expo2017astana.com/ru/voting/
02 July 2013
“Where’s the Fair?” Reminds Us What We’ve Lost in Recent Decades
In 1983, when I was sixteen years old, I would try to seek out everything I could about world’s fairs and their history. I’d gone to the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville the previous year. I knew it was, in the grand scheme of things, a smallish version of the medium, but I’d gotten a taste and I wanted more.
I imagined how the medium could be made better… and saw examples or when it really reached its full potential… like in 1939 in New York, 1958 in Brussels, 1967 in Montreal, or 1970 in Osaka. I longed to see a full-fledged expo, and be a part of one.
As I was poring over my worn copy of the 1982 World’s Fair Guidebook at that age, I ran across two items that would keep me connected to world’s fairs throughout my life: an ad for Alfred Heller’s (now defunct) World’s Fair magazine and a feature showing two poster images that were available for purchase. I immediately ordered both.
Designed by New York-based designer Leonard Levitan, one poster featured a montage of world’s fair landmarks from 1851 to 1982. The other had souvenirs from expos of the same time period. I guess you could say I was a weird kid because I had them tacked up on my bedroom wall throughout high school and on my dorm room wall in college. Thirty years later, they’re in nice frames and still on my wall.
Why do I mention these posters? Well, to many Americans, this is perhaps how they see World’s Fairs. They might as well have an epitaph that says “1851 – 1982” on them.
Filmmaker Jerry Ford was one of those Americans who assumed expos were a think of the past until he chanced upon a collection of old world’s fair View-Masters. That experience spurred the creation of a documentary that debuted this past month at the Cape Fear Film Festival.
As I was poring over my worn copy of the 1982 World’s Fair Guidebook at that age, I ran across two items that would keep me connected to world’s fairs throughout my life: an ad for Alfred Heller’s (now defunct) World’s Fair magazine and a feature showing two poster images that were available for purchase. I immediately ordered both.
Designed by New York-based designer Leonard Levitan, one poster featured a montage of world’s fair landmarks from 1851 to 1982. The other had souvenirs from expos of the same time period. I guess you could say I was a weird kid because I had them tacked up on my bedroom wall throughout high school and on my dorm room wall in college. Thirty years later, they’re in nice frames and still on my wall.
Why do I mention these posters? Well, to many Americans, this is perhaps how they see World’s Fairs. They might as well have an epitaph that says “1851 – 1982” on them.
Filmmaker Jerry Ford was one of those Americans who assumed expos were a think of the past until he chanced upon a collection of old world’s fair View-Masters. That experience spurred the creation of a documentary that debuted this past month at the Cape Fear Film Festival.
In the documentary, he goes step-by-step talking about the different issues involved: Why we don’t have world’s fair in the United States anymore, why we sometimes don’t have a pavilion at foreign world’s fairs, and why the ones we have created in recent decades have been rushed, mostly uninspired, and clouded by an opaque process. What does this say about the United States as a country?
The filmmakers are currently looking for distribution. A trailer for the film can be found at: WheresTheFair.com and their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/WheresTheFair.
For those interested, I also wrote a bit more about the film on the BIE's web site.
18 June 2013
The Current State of World's Fairs in the United States
In my second article in the Bureau International des Expositions' blog, I talk about the current state of world's fairs in the United States.
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/the-current-state-of-expos-in-north-america
http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/bie-blog/entry/the-current-state-of-expos-in-north-america
17 June 2013
Sendak's Childhood Visit to the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair
At the Walt Disney Family Museum, we currently have an exhibit about author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. I thought this timeline in the exhibit was a good demonstration of power of world's fairs on younger visitors. I'm going to see what else I can find about his childhood visit to the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair, but it was clearly important enough for the exhibit planners to include it in his timeline.
10 June 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, June 10, 2013
@UrsoChappell's first blog entry on the official BIE web site is now up. He talks about world's fairs as experiments. http://t.co/NOEB9Z0vW3
The Henry Ford acquires 1964 Eames-designed IBM pavilion kiosk from New York World's Fair http://t.co/ypqtWTiUyr
15 May 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
UK Foreign Secretary announced that the UK supports Dubai's bid for Expo 2020. http://t.co/GhBusczv9R
Video (in Italian) about Expo 2015's construction. Apparently, there have been some problems. http://t.co/TfoSFP6LCO
08 May 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Chicagoans: Celebrate the 120th anniversary of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (world's fair) on Monday: http://t.co/NlAoUF6CJl
07 May 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair and we have the shirts to celebrate: http://t.co/CcAeCd28Tq
The design of the Italian Pavilion at the next world's fair, Expo 2015, has been unveiled. http://t.co/u3XGUGcjGA
18 April 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, April 18, 2013
Mexico and Brazil have signed on for the next world's fair. Still no US or Canada: http://t.co/FnXauJ3BaC
07 March 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, March 07, 2013
From Brussels' Expo '58: America, the Great Colossal Collage: Saul Steinberg’s Forgotten Masterpiece http://t.co/vAUlnnIHxQ via @ARTnewsmag
06 March 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Ekaterinburg Expo 2020 bid on a Ural Airlines plane: http://t.co/vx56qHOviM
01 March 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, March 01, 2013
World's Fair T-shirts and Hoodies - We have quite a few designs available now…. mostly commemorating the... http://t.co/iYT074cETP
28 February 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, February 28, 2013
Many people forget that New York has held THREE world's fairs: 1853, 1939-1940, and 1964-1965. http://t.co/UfWYQmK1Q3
22 February 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, February 22, 2013
Photo: 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of Brisbane, Australia’s Expo ‘88.... http://t.co/17pzCzfQC2
Photo: The 50th anniversary of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair is coming up soon!... http://t.co/8M0VYHufmu
09 February 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, February 09, 2013
One of http://t.co/2551WYLv's latest acquisitions: a 1933-1934 Chicago pocket watch featuring Mickey Mouse: http://t.co/PcQDGO3D
Interesting conversation on http://t.co/okHrzLai: What (USA) city would best host a world's fair?: http://t.co/kgDeqV3I
04 February 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, February 04, 2013
Proposed 2014 New York World's Fair - It's great to see folks in New York talking about hosting another world… http://t.co/1h9mbbOf
Good to see folks in NY talking about having a world's fair, but 2014 would be too soon: http://t.co/vfZdKdLG
A New York World's Fair in 2014?
It's interesting to see a mayoral candidate in New York talking about that city hosting a world's fair again, but 2014 is WAY too soon, but it would be great to see another city interested in 2022 or 2025.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/02/catsimatidis-wants-a-worlds-fair-in-2014.html
Typically, in articles like these, comments run along typical lines. There are usually two points people try to make:
1. World's fairs don't happen anymore (or "They still have world's fairs?")
2. We don't need world's fairs anymore because we know all about other countries.
In working out my usual "talking points" about why we need world's fairs, it occurs to me that those two sentiments negate each other. Clearly, Americans don't REALLY know what's going on in the rest of the world, at least not in countries that we aren't at war with.
30 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Bill Gates makes some interesting parallels between Seattle's 1962 World's Fair and the Dubai Bid for 2020: http://t.co/7XhUCNMG
After working on the new http://t.co/xm40HSMC site this past week, I thought it made sense to finally update my... http://t.co/tWo9pa0f
29 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Minnesota World's Fair Site Launch - Is it too early to be talking about 2022? Well, it's closer than you thi… http://t.co/A5DwVceV
expositionframes: Air Canada Pavilion, Expo 67 http://t.co/gpkHTyW4
Is it too early to be talking about 2022? Well, it's closer than you think. Bids for Expo 2022 (or 2023) will... http://t.co/63HOh28N
24 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, January 24, 2013
Key Area, originally built for 1962 Century 21 Exposition (world's fair) in Seattle, might become an historic landmark: http://t.co/7ODpw0D6
22 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Expo '74 World's Fair United States Pavilion: then and now: http://t.co/PsdDeTgo
12 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, January 12, 2013
We've updated and increased the offerings in our online shop. We'd love to hear feedback. http://t.co/mfUPCsYL
We've updated and increased the offerings in our online shop. We'd love to hear feedback. http:/www.ExpoMuseum.com/shop/
I've updated and increased the offerings in the http://t.co/2551WYLv Shop. I'd love to hear suggestions for ways to... http://t.co/6vRj3gYb
09 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, January 09, 2013
With 2013 being the 25th anniversary of Expo '88, it seemed appropriate to update the 1988 Brisbane page on... http://t.co/A2sjCSL5
Just in time for the 25th anniversary of Brisbane's Expo 88 this year... http://t.co/STp8rOBn
Just in time for the 25th anniversary this year... http://t.co/u3zGgh48
Just in time for the 25th anniversary this year... http://t.co/xetbSbgf
08 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Cathy Maloney will be in San Francisco speaking about gardens at world's fairs on 20 June 2013. http://t.co/Pexo8GsI
Cathy Maloney will be in San Francisco speaking about gardens at world's fairs. As it happens, she'll be doing it... http://t.co/c2Dr521t
07 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, January 07, 2013
A cool souvenir from the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair. http://t.co/PqTA2nLZ
A cool souvenir from the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair: http://t.co/zmOjpimB
05 January 2013
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, January 05, 2013
Astana, Kazakhstan's booth for its successful bid to host Expo 2017, the 2nd energy-themed world's fair in history... http://t.co/kSrjHHKq
Here's a short video shot in Paris during the general assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).... http://t.co/1kJTf0sT
31 December 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, December 31, 2012
It's been 28 years since the last world's fair in the USA. Folks in MN are hoping to change that in 2022 or 2023... http://t.co/5jKcEbFN
Here's a bit of a teaser about a possible bid for 2022 or 2023... http://t.co/ccsZQPCb
29 December 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, December 29, 2012
Great home movies from a trip to Brussels and Expo '58. http://t.co/mm1fBnZb
29 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Korea Pavilion at Japan's Expo '70: http://t.co/eS3mbcxW
22 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, November 22, 2012
Astana wins the right to host Expo 2017... http://t.co/83473dBL http://t.co/pC2lzJR8
Photo: http://t.co/83473dBL http://t.co/US8yd63i
The vote for Expo 2017: 44 votes for Liége, 103 for Astana. 1 abstention.
Astana wins!
Dubai's Expo 2020 Bid Presentation finished with a message from Bill Gates, who went to the 1962 World's Fair as a child.
Voting is now underway to see who hosts Expo 2017. Results expected soon. http://t.co/83473dBL
We're just hours from the vote to see who wins the right to host Expo 2017: Astana or Liége.
18 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, November 18, 2012
http://t.co/2551WYLv will be in Paris on Thursday when the host of Expo 2017 (the world's fair) is announced: http://t.co/83473dBL
15 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, November 15, 2012
It would be very sad news to see the end of such a great world's fair legacy! RT @CarouslOProgrss ...I may be closing by the end of 2013.
A great article speaking to the power of world's fairs' ability to inspire and even change lives. http://t.co/gdsNmN7E
http://t.co/2551WYLv's @UrsoChappell will be traveling to Paris for the Expo 2017 announcement. We hope to have results up soon afterwards.
World's fairs inspire and can even change lives. This article certainly speaks to the power of just one exhibit... http://t.co/eKss6XMN
14 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, November 14, 2012
@SGatti2015 Thanks for the re-tweet. I hope the USA signs up for Expo 2015 soon!
13 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Here's a reminder about our petition if you haven't already signed it. Get the USA back in the BIE. http://t.co/NpZMESLM
Here's a reminder about our petition if you haven't already signed it. Get the USA back in the BIE. http://t.co/3U4OQDgd
Estonia becomes the 108th participant at Milan's Expo 2015: http://t.co/skrIxw5d
Cell phones of the future... from the Sweden Pavilion at Hannover, Germany's Expo 2000. http://t.co/u4Hn5y92
Episode 32 of the World's Fair Podcast is now available for your listening pleasure. In it, we talk with Charlotte... http://t.co/JIBhkutg
12 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, November 12, 2012
I was reminded today of these cell phones of the future... from the Sweden Pavilion at Hannover's Expo 2000.... http://t.co/jjiDP2Xw
Cell/mobile phontes of the future... as envisioned by the Sweden Pavilion at Germany's Expo 2000: http://t.co/4ppuUBhI
05 November 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, November 05, 2012
The Expo '74 page has now been updated with new information and some new exclusive content. http://t.co/2cp0gjZi
24 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Expo '88 is close to celebrating its 25th anniversary. It's interesting to note that there were naysayers even... http://t.co/FlV9R36C
Sunday was the 50th anniversary of the closing of Seattle's 1962 World's Fair. Here are photos of Seattle's... http://t.co/6fWTFjTf
This is very disturbing. Not only is a Toronto Expo 2025 bid dead, but Canada's Prime Minister has pulled his... http://t.co/Oy57LMJA
Not only is a Toronto Expo 2025 (world's fair) bid dead, but Canada's Prime Minister has pulled its country out of BIE. http://t.co/diUvWpM9
Yeosu, Korea's Expo 2012 is over, but there's still much video archived on the KBS site. http://t.co/rP4pokvp
23 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, October 23, 2012
We've been working on creating some Italian language content for ExpoMuseum. It's just a timeline for now... http://t.co/Cl0tGmb8
I've been working on creating some Italian language content for ExpoMuseum. It's just a timeline for now... http://t.co/vTEAPk8R
22 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, October 22, 2012
We're working on creating some basic information in Italian for http://t.co/2551WYLv. I've started with a basic... http://t.co/TvxQV4kT
I'm working on creating some basic information in Italian for http://t.co/2551WYLv. I've started with a basic timeline. http://t.co/mGhvGvyh
We're working on creating some basic information in Italian for http://t.co/2551WYLv. I've started with a basic... http://t.co/aWszIqrt
21 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, October 21, 2012
At the Expo 2015 2nd International Participants Meeting earlier this month, they started the three days of... http://t.co/CdqPhJeg
Video of the Flag Ceremony at the 2nd Int'l Participants Meeting for @Expo2015Milano ... http://t.co/dMXtuJox
11 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, October 11, 2012
A quick report from Expo 2015's International Participants Meeting in Milan on how they're planning the next … http://t.co/z2aJf3hL
A quick report from Expo 2015's International Participants Meeting in Milan on how they're planning next world's fair: http://t.co/ScURFxnL
Dispatch from Milan: Expo 2015's International Participants Meeting
Expo 2015, the next world's fair, is 923 days away, but from what I've gotten to witness here in Milan, folks are busy as if it were sooner. It's a testament to just how much there is to do in creating a world's fair.
This week, Milan has played host to over 1000 international visitors (from 100+ countries) in Expo 2015's International Participants Meeting. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to witness the organization of a large-scale exposition in person.
PARTICIPATING NATIONS
At this stage, countries are still signing on (it just hit 100... and Iraq is the most recent addition). Since many developing nations have their participation subsidized by the Expo authority, the list includes many of these, but I've also noticed another trend: Countries that are bidding for future world's fairs also feature prominently. Unfortunately, many larger countries have not officially signed on, but I suspect they will soon. The United States, notably, has unofficially said we're here, but there has been no official agreement yet. Also absent, so far, is the entire English-speaking world. I suspect that will change in the coming year.
CLUSTERS
In our recent World's Fair Podcast, we spoke with Stefano Gatti, the director of international affairs and he did a fantastic job describing one noteworthy distinction of Expo 2015: Smaller and developing nations, which in the past would typically be grouped by geography, will now be grouped based on an association with a food theme. Those themes (Fruits and Legumes, Spices, Bio-Mediterraneum, Arid Zones, Rice, Cocoa, Coffee, Cereals and Tubers, and Islands) will be developed in clusters of countries, often involving countries with no geographical connection.
QUESTIONS
Here are some questions I hope to answer in the coming days:
- Presumably, Expo 2015 will have a mascot. How will this be determined and when?
- How much of a marketing effort will be made to foreign countries? When I talk with Americans about Expo 2015, they're typically interested when they hear that world's fairs still happen... and the next one's in Milan with a food theme. It sells itself... more so than Shanghai's lackluster advertising campaign for Expo 2010 in the United States.
- Corporations have a very low profile here as compared to past ones. There seems to be no plan (or room on the map) for corporate plans. Might that change?
- They expect 130 nations to participate: 60 in self-built pavilions and 70 in the pavilions clusters I mentioned earlier. Is there a plan if more nations wish to participate? The much smaller Expo '98 in Lisbon ran across this problem and had to add more space to accommodate more countries.
- What kind of connection might be made between Expo 2015 and the 100th anniversary celebrations of San Francisco's 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition?
PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Naturally, I've taken lots of photos and video of this year's International Participants Meeting. I'll be posting those in the near future.
This week, Milan has played host to over 1000 international visitors (from 100+ countries) in Expo 2015's International Participants Meeting. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to witness the organization of a large-scale exposition in person.
PARTICIPATING NATIONS
At this stage, countries are still signing on (it just hit 100... and Iraq is the most recent addition). Since many developing nations have their participation subsidized by the Expo authority, the list includes many of these, but I've also noticed another trend: Countries that are bidding for future world's fairs also feature prominently. Unfortunately, many larger countries have not officially signed on, but I suspect they will soon. The United States, notably, has unofficially said we're here, but there has been no official agreement yet. Also absent, so far, is the entire English-speaking world. I suspect that will change in the coming year.
CLUSTERS
In our recent World's Fair Podcast, we spoke with Stefano Gatti, the director of international affairs and he did a fantastic job describing one noteworthy distinction of Expo 2015: Smaller and developing nations, which in the past would typically be grouped by geography, will now be grouped based on an association with a food theme. Those themes (Fruits and Legumes, Spices, Bio-Mediterraneum, Arid Zones, Rice, Cocoa, Coffee, Cereals and Tubers, and Islands) will be developed in clusters of countries, often involving countries with no geographical connection.
QUESTIONS
Here are some questions I hope to answer in the coming days:
- Presumably, Expo 2015 will have a mascot. How will this be determined and when?
- How much of a marketing effort will be made to foreign countries? When I talk with Americans about Expo 2015, they're typically interested when they hear that world's fairs still happen... and the next one's in Milan with a food theme. It sells itself... more so than Shanghai's lackluster advertising campaign for Expo 2010 in the United States.
- Corporations have a very low profile here as compared to past ones. There seems to be no plan (or room on the map) for corporate plans. Might that change?
- They expect 130 nations to participate: 60 in self-built pavilions and 70 in the pavilions clusters I mentioned earlier. Is there a plan if more nations wish to participate? The much smaller Expo '98 in Lisbon ran across this problem and had to add more space to accommodate more countries.
- What kind of connection might be made between Expo 2015 and the 100th anniversary celebrations of San Francisco's 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition?
PHOTOS AND VIDEO
Naturally, I've taken lots of photos and video of this year's International Participants Meeting. I'll be posting those in the near future.
10 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, October 10, 2012
To open the 2012 International Participants Meeting, Milan's Expo 2015 authorities arranged to have flag wave… http://t.co/ERnUhc7E
This is what a world's fair site looks like 933 days before opening day... http://t.co/88iUO9Sa
02 October 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, October 02, 2012
Great video showing the USSR Pavilion at Expo '67. The last USSR Pavilion was nearly 25 years ago at Brisbane… http://t.co/ikq32aMa
08 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, September 08, 2012
930 images of Expo 2012 in less than 4 minutes! http://t.co/NCQ0GkDH
07 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, September 07, 2012
At Expo 2008, the "telecabina" would take you from the Zaragoza train station to the world's fair… http://t.co/KZTDjstd
06 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, September 06, 2012
Across from one of the entrances at this year's world's fair (Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea) was an almost... http://t.co/atkVnrSH
Here's our video highlighting Expo 2012's Lotte Pavilion. It features a ride that could be described as a balloon... http://t.co/W4ZYuTps
Expo 2012's France Pavilion was certainly one of the more unique pavilions at Yeosu's world's fair. http://t.co/Hs3cwrxD
05 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, September 05, 2012
We now have over 1300 photos from Yeosu, South Korea's Expo 2012 on our Flickr site:
http://t.co/jSOQMmKv
04 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, September 04, 2012
Photos from Expo 2000, Hannover, Germany: http://t.co/gR210Kpb
The DJ Dance Show at the Big-O, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/UcbGus65
03 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, September 03, 2012
The Marine Robot Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/xFdqJ9cW
01 September 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, September 01, 2012
The Big-O Nighttime Spectacular at Expo 2012, the world's fair held in Yeosu, South Korea… http://t.co/4rQhmXKN
Today (September 1st) marks the 14th anniversary of http://t.co/2551WYLv! http://t.co/SQSO2x6X
Today (September 1st) marks the 14th anniversary http://t.co/2551WYLv started! http://t.co/P9OduHoz
There were many moments I had to slap my forehead when going through the Expos x Expos exhibit at Expo 2012… http://t.co/e0G6Ocne
From Urso:
There were many moments I had to slap my forehead when going through the Expos x Expos exhibit at... http://t.co/fldjDPwP
31 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, August 31, 2012
The Climate and Environment Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/6lOd6yGa
30 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, August 30, 2012
Expo 2005's mascots Kiccoro and Morizzo in a display in the Japan Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/CqYQNTTp
29 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, August 29, 2012
From Urso: I'm going through all of my Expo 2012 photos and posting them on Flickr. I've put up almost 800 photos... http://t.co/llph549u
28 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Expo 2012's Lotte Pavilion featured what could be described as the hot air balloon version of Disney's Soarin… http://t.co/sK86Uv77
The Sudan Pavilion at Expo 2012 still showed the pre-2011 borders before South Sudan became independent. http://t.co/kkUmynvY
25 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, August 25, 2012
Not all nations in Expo 2012's Atlantic Ocean Joint Pavilion were connected to the Atlantic Ocean more than a… http://t.co/RJDw8EdJ
23 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, August 23, 2012
Timor-Leste, being a new country, can claim a 100% participation rate at world's fairs. They've been at both … http://t.co/AJfWd0O0
Nauru is one of the few countries that can have a map showing every building in the country: http://t.co/o9vTONUF
The Sweden Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/imvbd2p6
A re-translated quote of President McKinley, who was assassinated at the world's fair after this speech: http://t.co/2FqwgqBH
21 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Coach Jeff's Blog: You've Got To Be There - A great world's fair story!
jeffdgary: Last night, we ran across … http://t.co/FeM0GcGB
Expo 2012's Italy Pavilion featured an exhibit promoting Milan's Expo 2015: http://t.co/VOtX9Fke
Expo 2012's France Pavilion, Yeosu, South Korea: http://t.co/AT5S8cWM
A very short review of Expo 2012 (with photos) on http://t.co/xO5BOpWr's Bemusement blog today...
http://t.co/WBCuDE8W
Yeosu's Expo 2012 featured a DJ dance party after the nighttime spectacular at the Big-O.
http://www.ExpoMuse… http://t.co/UsbpvEM7
20 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, August 20, 2012
The 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee... the next-to-last world's fair in the United States (for now). http://t.co/CSxNGn36
19 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, August 19, 2012
Disney Park fans: Yeosu's world's fair, Expo 2012 had its own "back side of water!": http://t.co/eq4zec26
18 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, August 18, 2012
If you look carefully, you'll see a sculpture on the roof of Expo 2012's organizing committee building… http://t.co/jU9YsgKr
The International Fountain, originally created for Seattle's 1962 Century 21 Exposition… http://t.co/jptIQRoW
The Swedish Pavilion at Yeosu's Expo 2012 highlighted their famous musicians: http://t.co/9Wst4zhC
Expo Church window, Expo 2000, Hannover, Germany: http://t.co/SsHDUPoA
17 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, August 17, 2012
The Hanbit Tower, a legacy of Expo '93, Daejeon, South Korea: http://t.co/WKFbTvaq
16 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Expo Digital Gallery in the International Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea http://t.co/d4F3VXcu
http://t.co/2551WYLv's Urso Chappell at the Australia Pavilion, Expo 2012, Yeosu, South Korea http://t.co/Zq2SDRyF
15 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Abandoned Haibo Costume, Expo 2010, Shanghai, China
http://t.co/kWl8ePBE http://t.co/WrGLe4LU
The Saskatchewan Pavilion at Vancouver's Expo '86
http://t.co/8u4XSUau http://t.co/S8I4RNrQ
exposandworldsfairs: Pavilion of the Province of Quebec at Expo ‘67 - Montreal, Quebec
This unique structure … http://t.co/c6WK8N02
13 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, August 13, 2012
Yesterday brought us more than one closing ceremony. Expo 2012, this year's world's fair, also closed. http://t.co/y2Ayrod5
08 August 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, August 08, 2012
World's fairs are time capsules we put in our collective memories and into future history... a way of celebrating and declaring who we are.
26 July 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, July 26, 2012
The Olympics got an early boost from world's fairs: http://t.co/gVBbjC0z
Expo '98's telecabinas, Lisbon, Portugal: http://t.co/dApuUV3c
Elektro and Sparko from the 1939-'40 New York World's Fair's Westinghouse Pavilion: http://t.co/uk7kBXgh
24 July 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Expo 2010's China Pavilion and Expo Axis: http://t.co/PAYSKZx4
Expo '70's Mushballoons: http://t.co/0K2eq3IQ
San Francisco's three world's fair legacy sites in one photo: http://t.co/CVtMeHVW
Photoset: dominikruisinger: http://t.co/swCWlXgV
Expo '86's British Columbia Pavilion: http://t.co/9in260PM
23 July 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, July 23, 2012
Photo: http://t.co/vfx6VTsH
Great shot of the Space Needle in 1962: http://t.co/Y0LAb8kk
Expo '93's Hanbit Tower: http://t.co/H44TSIvy
One more thing for us to update... an ExpoMuseum Tumblr site...
http://t.co/OOrcZuil
06 July 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, July 06, 2012
Episode 31 of the World's Fair Podcast is now up. In it, we interview Expo 2015's dir. of int'l affairs @SGatti2015... http://t.co/mydTom7M
RT @bieparis Elena from the #Italy Pavilion at #Expo2012Yeosu. Read her story at: http://t.co/e1CpdP0v http://t.co/MG8p4sqb
The World's Fair Podcast, Episode 31: Expo 2015's Stefano Gatti
In episode 31 of the World's Fair Podcast, John McGregor and Urso Chappell talk with Stefano Gatti, the director of international affairs for Milan's Expo 2015.
Find out more about Expo 2015 at Expo2015.org.
Listen to this podcast as an MP3.
Subscribe to this podcast.
Listen to other episodes of the World's Fair Podcast.
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, June 23, 2012
From Urso: In the Denmark Pavilion at Expo 2012, I had a wonderful conversation with one of the hosts who said he... http://t.co/fdgBSo6f
In the Philippines Pavilion at Yeosu's Expo 2012, it becomes someone's job to have to sweep up all the rogue sand: http://t.co/2t8yyqE8
In the Philippines Pavilion at Expo 2012, you can touch sand from the various places in the Philippines.... http://t.co/ItA3Qjk8
24 May 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, May 24, 2012
Not much has been publicized about the corporate pavilions at Expo 2012. Here's an article about Hyundai:
http://t.co/NfDV6v40
Not much has been publicized about the corporate pavilions at Expo 2012. I ran across this article about... http://t.co/eeJjzXZg
The http://t.co/2551WYLv home page has been updated to reflect the opening of Expo 2012 (with great new photo)...
http://t.co/v3gCyuiK
My Korean Travel Plans
Expo 2012 opened on 12 May and I've been finalizing my plans to visit Korea. If anyone else is there while I'm there, it would be great to meet other world's fair fans.
I plan on being in Daejeon to see the old Expo '93 site on 7 June. Looking online, there's quite a lot left over from the expo.
I'll be in Yeosu from 8 June - 13 June... staying just steps from one of the gates.
Feel free to contact me at Urso@ExpoMuseum or through the myriad social networking sites I'm connected into.
I plan to take lots of photos and take lots of notes. It'll be my ninth world's fair!
30 March 2012
The World's Fair Podcast, Episode 29: César Corona on Public Diplomacy and World's Fairs
Episode 29 of the World's Fair Podcast is now available for download as an MP3 or via iTunes. In it, Urso Chappell and John McGregor talk to César Corona about the role of public diplomacy at international expositions.
Find out more about César Corona's projects at InternationalExpositions.org.
Listen to this podcast as an MP3.
Subscribe to this podcast.
Listen to other episodes of the World's Fair Podcast.
16 March 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, March 16, 2012
Some great aerial shots of the Expo 2012 site under construction. Just 57 days until opening day! http://t.co/Qihb59r1
Great view of the Expo 2012 construction progress as of last week... from the United States Pavilion. http://t.co/9mSv44TU
12 March 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, March 12, 2012
In Seattle on 16 March 2012? Learn more about the Seattle's 1962 World's Fair: http://t.co/rGCM0hed
The House of Tomorrow from 1933-1934 Chicago lives on! http://t.co/T813DiEk
11 March 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, March 11, 2012
A slice of that weird period in world's fair history when they exhibited incubator babies... http://t.co/y1B3aACd
10 March 2012
27 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, February 27, 2012
Interesting article about Montreal's Expo '67 legacy.
http://t.co/mzjfZ8x3
Upcoming documentary about 1964-1965 New York World's Fair:
http://t.co/sgfcFGzr
17 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Friday, February 17, 2012
Expo '86's McBarge, in Vancouver, looks like it may return! http://t.co/MWZcCN0y
RT @NickHirshon Mitt Romney ad on "growing up" in Michigan shows him in #Queens [at 1964-'65 New York World's Fair]. http://t.co/iTIn3w9D
14 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Expo '85 page has been updated and now includes some great video images. http://t.co/vpYLgSgJ
David Letterman at New Orleans' 1984 Louisiana World Exposition... http://t.co/oAztQZ6M
David Letterman at New Orleans' 1984 Louisiana World Exposition: http://t.co/Hsnqm7h0
The 1982 World's Fair Energy Express theme song: http://t.co/chakp6nU
13 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Monday, February 13, 2012
The 1984 New Orleans page, describing the Louisiana World Exposition, has been updated: http://t.co/VtwvLTvA
12 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, February 12, 2012
Knoxville holds on to "Scruffy" tittle 30 years after its world's fair: http://t.co/BLhPZlO2
New developments at the Expo '88 site in Brisbane: http://t.co/5se1MdU7
11 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Saturday, February 11, 2012
As we get closer to opening day of Expo 2012, I'm seriously starting to make plans for the trip, but would really... http://t.co/dVRZpRsD
What amazing footage from Osaka's Expo '70! It really gives a sense of the whole site as well as great views of... http://t.co/CNfjfXUJ
Absolutely fantastic footage of Osaka's Expo '70 from rail and gondola... it really gives a sense of the whole site: http://t.co/ekZ5w7qj
09 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, February 09, 2012
Fantastic English language introduction to Expo 2012 and Yeosu. http://t.co/qoXtki8V
Another computer animation of a pavilion... this time, Romania. http://t.co/07JKCDki
Computer animation of Romania Pavilion at Expo 2012: http://t.co/5CAVz0Wx
Computer animation of France at Expo 2012!
http://t.co/2IvFCyxz
Computer animation of France at Expo 2012! http://t.co/sOP5yUj3
The Expo '98 page on http://t.co/2556uyUF has been updated. http://t.co/AdzweLrM
The 1982 World's Fair page on http://t.co/2556uyUF has been updated. http://t.co/RRZSjIwh
08 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Wednesday, February 08, 2012
New photos added to ExpoMuseum's Flickr feed: Lisbon's Expo '98: http://t.co/Sv3drjmc
Here's video showing the Expo 2000 Holland Pavilion nearly twelve years later. If memory serves, it was never... http://t.co/E1neUhZy
Expo 2000 page now updated. http://t.co/4cGjUIOK
07 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Tuesday, February 07, 2012
George Takei's review of Hanover's Expo 2000: http://t.co/vc7mLcKD
Paul Allen at the 1962 World's Fair! RT @PaulGAllen Here I am at the '62 Worlds Fair... I really had a great time! http://t.co/cdybJITg
05 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Sunday, February 05, 2012
Expo '86's McBarge may finally return! http://t.co/pFukp1fF
02 February 2012
@ExpoMuseum Twitter: Thursday, February 02, 2012
Is there a 1962 World's Fair 50th Anniversary burnout already? http://t.co/vV2xfZ1S
Updated the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition page: http://t.co/6M0i6g4k
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