Walking With a Purpose

Walking With a Purpose. Milan, Italy. May 2015. 

The photo above is of a new friend Khalifa al Khalifa, the Pavilion Director for Bahrain. Bahrain is one of the first pavilions visitors see when they come to the Expo by public transportation. It is a tranquil and soothing pavilion that has become a popular destination when visitors want to tune out the rest of Expo. Once inside its white halls, time seems to move a little slower and the chaos seems miles away. The sleek monotone architecture allows the real exhibition, the various trees and plants of growing fruit and produce, to stand out. The space is not flashy, even the written placards of information blend into the wall so they do not interfere with the serene experience. The wonderful pattern above is an installation on the front door. Very inviting and very beautiful inside and out. This pavilion is a great (not so) hidden gem at Expo. 

Sexy Curves

Sexy Curves. Milan, Italy. May 2015. 

One of my favorite pavilions, inside and out, is the United Arab Emirates site. It should be on everyone's Expo "must see" list simply because it is a structure designed by renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, however the pavilion is much richer than just the exterior. Their team did a beautiful job integrating the new with the old, the synthetic and the natural. I think this shot captures that; the walls are constructed to represent their natural landscape of large red sand deserts, while you can faintly see the sleek, modern pillars used as part of their exhibit. 

The experience inside the UAE pavilion is superb; from 3-D imaging and integration with their pavilion smart phone app, to an enthralling film, and gallery all about the date palm. The narrative of their exhibit addresses the rapid growth of the country, the consequences it has had on natural resources, and what their two major cities are trying to do about it. It's a compelling visit and worth the wait to see it.