Research and Other Investigations from China

2010 Shanghai World Expo: Axis of Evil

The exterior of the Iran Pavilion is covered with murals and slogans

During the State of the Union Address on January 29, 2002 former United States President George W. Bush first employed the term “Axis of Evil” in order to link together three nations he accused of aiding terrorism and seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction. The culprits, Iran, Iraq and North Korea, still bear that moniker in pop global culture and struggle to show a favorable side of their governments in international media. Rarely are chances given for these nations to present themselves in a better light on a world stage. The 2010 Shanghai World Expo is just such an opportunity and the three “Axis of Evil” pavilions are clearly planned to pitch an enticing and optimistic view of the countries in question. Luckily the largely domestic Chinese audience has a healthy appetite for spin and are greatly distracted by occasions to shop for exotic gifts at pavilion stores. Tens of millions of visitors now get an opportunity to see a new face of the “Axis of Evil” that was constructed on their own terms under the auspices of the Chinese government.

Visitors to the North Korea Pavilion must walk over a small bridge that overlooks a panorama of downtown Pyongyang and a model of the Juche TowerVideos of revolutionary operas and dance routines continuously play on the inside of the North Korea PavilionNorth Korean stamps were a hot selling item at the North Korea Pavilion

The Iran Pavilion is an odd mixture of modern design and traditional patternsThe North Korea Pavilion claims to be a "Paradise for People" above its outdated propaganda video displayA Chinese attendant in Iranian tradional clothing answers questions on various products at the Iran Pavilion

The Iran Pavilion store sells woven tapestries that try to cater to a Chinese audience like these two portraits of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo mascot, HaibaoA mural at the entrance to the Iraq Pavilion shows Scheherazade telling another story in One Thousand and One NightsA visitor videotapes the exterior of the North Korea Pavilion

A model city lined with camels sits on display at the Iraq PavilionA photograph of a US soldier appears in a slideshow on modern Iraq at the Iraq PavilionVisitors lined up to take photos touching Aladdin's Lamp at the Iraq Pavilion

2010 Shanghai World Expo: Lighting Up the Night

2010 Shanghai Expo England Pavilion

After visiting the 2010 Shanghai World Expo last week, I decided that the night time is definitely the right time to visit. During the day the crowds were overbearing and most of the pavilions less than enchanting. However, when the sun goes down, the expo turns into a festival of lights. Some of the clear architectural winners in my book were the Spanish, Korean, Nepalese and Danish with the UK Pavilion taking the gold. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the six-story structure is stuck like a pincushion with 60,000 willowy rods that glow and quaver in the breeze. The rods extend from the interior where at the root of each a plant seed is seamlessly inserted. The UK Pavilion is supposed to reflect the British love for gardens and emphasize the need for green space in cities. You can read more about the concept on the UK Pavilion homepage.

2010 Shanghai Expo China Pavilion and Expo Axis

2010 Shanghai Expo Germany Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo Finland Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo Spain Pavilion

2010 Shanghai Expo Singapore Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo Denmark Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo Denmark Pavilion

2010 Shanghai Expo Axis2010 Shanghai Expo Culture Center2010 Shanghai Expo Latvia Pavilion

2010 Shanghai Expo Korea Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo Serbia Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo New Zealand Pavilion

2010 Shanghai Expo Nepal Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo UK Pavilion2010 Shanghai Expo China and Israel Pavilion