The Chile Pavilion:Dreams in the Crystal Cup
During the six months of the Shanghai 2010 Expo, a predicted 70 million visitors will browse through exhibits, performances and cultural exchanges from the 200 participant nations. Needless to say, they are sparing no expense in representing their nations and having their own take on the theme of “Better City, Better life,” displaying harmony between man and nature.
From now on, we’ll show you a collection of articles on various theme pavilions from different countries and what they have in store for Expo visitors. It’ll give you a closer look of the Shanghai 2010 Expo before it officially kicks off next year.
Here is the Chile Pavilion, whose theme is City of Relations. With a pavilion area of 3,000sqm, it is highlighted in undulating “Crystal Cup”, within Zone C of the Expo Site.
Unique Features
From an aerial view, the design of the Chile Pavilion resembles an undulating “crystal cup” with irregular wave-like fluctuations. It also conjures an abstract image of ships at sea. The main structure will be constructed of steel and glass. A rectangular brown wood pole will penetrate the “crystal cup” with its side end serving as the entrance to the pavilion.
Highlights
Held in the “crystal cup” will not be wine nor spring water, but the dream of the Chileans about future cities. Composed of 5 exhibition halls, the Chile Pavilion will focus its exhibitions on Chilean understanding of the city, including how to build a better city and how to improve the standard of living.
Highlight 1: Home of Chile
During the Expo, the Chile Pavilion will also serve as Chile’s home in China that will exhibit characteristics from around the country, including its Polynesian culture and Easter Island. Visitors to the pavilion will have the chance to buy unique souvenirs made of bronze.
Highlight 2: Well of Time & Space
“Digging an imaginary well from China and through the earth’s core, one can reach Chile.” Though the two countries are more than ten thousand miles away, they are closely linked in this way. Actually constructors will dig several real wells in the pavilion by Expo time in which visitors may see images of Chilean people’s daily lives. Meanwhile, the Chilean government is also considering building a smaller Chile Pavilion in its own country. Through the imaginary well between China and Chile, Chinese landscape and culture will be reflected so that those not coming to Shanghai can also share the wonders of Expo.
Highlight 3: Themed Weeks
During the Expo, the Chile Pavilion will also hold various events and themed weeks, including Mining Week, Fruit Week, University Week and Wine Week. Also, Chile will celebrate the 200th anniversary of its independence and the 40th anniversary of the commencement of diplomatic relations with China in 2010. Independence Day celebrations will be held on September 18, the National Pavilion Day.
Highlight 4: Green Pavilion
The most outstanding feature in the design and construction of the Chile Pavilion is the use of new glass. The U-form glass allows light in but is not transparent, so that outsiders cannot see the interior. The glass has good heat and sound seclusion and is tougher than normal flat glass, which is fitting for both construction and decoration. What is more, there are energy-saving features in the glass which are made from up to 65%-70% of used or broken glass. A huge roof garden with nets of steel wires will be established on top of the pavilion, screening visitors and contributing to energy conservation.
- 8079 reads