PopulouSCAPE

This isn't the best resolution for viewing this, but it's really interesting nonetheless. I first saw it on the big screen at Aichi, Japan's Expo 2005 as I was riding by on one of the aerial gondolas.

Expo '70 Animation

After posting about the Expo '70 Mushballoons, I was alerted to the existence of this great animation featuring Osaka's Expo '70. It's based on a popular Japanese comic strip called Sazae-san.



You can see several iconic structures: the Tower of the Sun, the Mushballoons, and even the Australian Pavilion, whose architect we interviewed on the World's Fair Podcast.

Expo '70's Mushballoons

I'm fascinated by these structures that were in Expo '70's amusement zone, Expoland. The park lived on for decades after 1970 and I'd love to find out whatever became of these structures... and how well they survived in the elements.



The text accompanying the photos says:

"This is called the Mushballoon because it is shaped like a mushroom. The Mushballoons are the centerpiece of the Space of Planets in Expoland. They are elegant and dynamic in appearance.

The huge cushion of air is suspended by 45 strands of wire. The wires are all brought together and connected through a tube to a winch in the basement. When the winch is wound, the mushroom collapses in 15 minutes. The Mushballoons rest at night and bloom again in the morning. The diameter of one Mushballoon is 30 meters, that of another 20 meters, and that of the three others 15 meters.

Architectural Design: Taneo Oki Architects
Structural Design: Shigeru Aoki Research Office"

I found more information (including some cool diagrams) at:
http://www.tensinet.com/database/viewProject/3839.html

The World's Fair Podcast, Episode 15

In Episode 15 of the World's Fair Podcast, John McGregor continues his trip report from Japan where he visited several expo legacy sites. We also listen to audience questions and feedback, including information on how we can bring a world's fair back to the United States in 2020.

Links:
Australian Memorial Hall in Yokkaichi
Expo 70 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 75 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 85 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 2005 on ExpoMuseum.com

Expo 70 Commemorative Organization
Expo 90 Foundation

Foundation Expo '88's Facebook Page

Expo2020USA.com - site with information about the 2020 World's Fair panel discussion in St. Louis

Listen to this podcast.

Subscribe to this podcast.

The World's Fair Podcast, Episode 13: John's Japan Expo Legacy Trip

In episode 13, John McGregor talks about his recent trip to Japan where he visited several expo legacy sites including Osaka's Expo 70 (shown above).

Links:
Australian Memorial Hall in Yokkaichi
Expo 70 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 75 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 85 on ExpoMuseum.com
Expo 2005 on ExpoMuseum.com

Expo 70 Commemorative Organization
Expo 90 Foundation

Foundation Expo '88's Facebook Page

Listen to this podcast.

Subscribe to this podcast.

Expo 2005 Photo Retrospective

I live not far from San Francisco's Japantown neighborhood, which means whenever I feel like an inexpensive mini-vacation to Japan, I can be there in just a matter of minutes. Japantown Center was a great resource for me prior to my trips to Japan for Expo 2005. I often go in there now, but with the next two expos in Spain and China, Japan isn't as much on my radar these days.

One of the greatest things about Japantown Center is their San Francisco branch of Kunikuniya Bookstores. While browsing through architecture books there last weekend, what should I come across, but an Expo 2005 that I'd never seen before... and trust me, I thought I'd seen them all by now.

One of the first things that struck me about the book was the logo on the front. Anyone's who's seen the 12-segment dashed circle logo for Expo 2005 over and over would see that something was a bit off with the cover's logo. However, the photos inside were fantastic and very representative of what was shown at the expo. From what I can surmise the book was created in China with Expo 2010 firmly in mind. Much of the book seemed created with the next large expo in mind. Other than the logo issue, some typos, and no mention of the Linimo trains, the book is an excellent resource for anyone planning for Expo 2010 without a mental idea of what a 21st Century exposition looks and feels like.

I've added the book to the ExpoMuseum Store if anyone else is interested in it.