The artistic side of Expo

There is plenty of priceless art at the Expo. You just have to know where to look

An Expo is meant to be the ultimate showcase for different fields such as technology, culture, science, design, and, of course, art. In the case of Expo 2010 Shanghai there are a number of pavilions that stand out for their artistic side: China, Mexico, France and Italy. They all offer priceless pieces of artwork among their highlights. They show that having a theme of cities and improvement of quality of life includes art.

During the first weeks of Expo 2010 Shanghai, the China Pavilion displayed one of the most important pieces of art in 5,000 years of Chinese civilization: Along the River During the Qingming Festival. Due to its geometrically accurate use of space and its historical value, this scroll is also known as the Chinese Mona Lisa. Although it is no longer in exhibit, guests still can see its audiovisual representation: an animated screen that extends more that 100 meters along a wall.

Currently, the National Treasure Room of the China Pavilion houses a bronze chariot and horse sculpture, the most important piece of the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an.

The Mexican Pavilion is perhaps the one that most underlines art an intrinsic part of a pavilion's exhibits. The pavilion has an exquisite collection that ranges from a Frida Khalo self portrait to pieces from Maya, Aztec, and Huastec cultures. Another must-see painting is Ro Revuelto (Muddy River) by Jos Chvez Morado. This oil on canvas expresses the different, yet simultaneous, processes in the urbanization of Mexico City. Other pieces include installations by modern Mexican artists Paloma Torres and Javier Marn.

Together with the floating gardens and the rooftop terrace, one of the highlights of the France Pavilion is a collection of seven pieces of art from Muse d'Orsay. There is a sculpture by Rodin and six paintings carrying the signatures of Van Gogh, Czanne, Manet, Gauguin and Millet. The pieces are mostly from the second half of the 19th century and this is the first time they have been exhibited in China.

Italy, the host of Expo Milan 2015, figures as well among the pavilions offering fine art. In line with the urban theme of the Expo, the third exhibition room in the pavilion has two oil paintings from the 18th century that represent the Venetian cityscape: The Grand Canal with the Rialto Bridge in the Background; and the Palazzo Ducale and the Piazza di San Marco, both by Canaletto. The exhibition room, A Bite of Italy, has two paintings by Bartolomeo Bimbi: Still Life with Citruses and Still Life with Grapes.

Fortunately, there is one part of the artistic side of Expo 2010 that does not require a queue to get in. The Expo Boulevard contains numerous pieces to admire, including Hehe and Xiexie, two stainless steel pandas located by Shibo Avenue; and The Pillar of the Twelve Symbolic Animals, standing in front of China provinces pavilion entrance.

The explanation of these and 18 other installations along Expo Boulevard can be found at artforworldexpo.com. Besides the artwork mentioned here, the Expo 2010 Shanghai has much more to offer visitors. As an intrinsic part of life, art has become an essential component of World Expos.

The author is a Mexican writer and expert on World Expos. The Expo 2010 Shanghai is the sixth he has visited.

(China Daily 07/30/2010 page39)