Expo Milan 2015 Captured From Filipino's Lenses

Photo credit

If I only have the money, I will deinitely visit Milan, Italy, again.  It's not only that my parents and my siblings together with their family live there, it's also the venue of the global exposition which happens every five years.  For the year 2015, it was Milan, Italy's turn to showcase the world's best in one huge event and in the most impressive setting.

Dubbed as Expo Milan 2015, the exposition tackles one of the most pressing global issue - sustainability and innovation, with the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life."  It's gates opened last May 1 and will end on October 31.  On 2020, Dubai will be the next host while during the 2010 Expo was held at Shanghai China.

A total of 140 countries have participated and have showcased unique cultural and culinary traditions, within self-built lots comprising 60 pavilions.  It was decided to be placed at the north west of Milan near Rho Fiera, said to be Milan's fairgrounds.

Our Filipino friends have made this witty and cute photo walk while they were having their romantic and educational trip to Expo Milan.  This collage I made from their FB Album shows part of what you can expect in the event.  Thanks Alvin and Zarina!

My sister, my brother and their families have visited Expo Milan and while it was prevalent that huge amount of money were invested by the participating countries and of course by the country host, Italy expects to gain revenues from it.  We know how European countries need to uplift their economic status and by bringing tourists in the country while introducing what the participating countries can contribute to the ailing needs of the world in terms of sustainable food, agriculture and modern standards for future benefits.  Though geared into food and cuisines around the world, my sister and their family wasn't able to maximize the visit, they weren't able to try the food that were highlighted all because it was expensive.  However, these photos will tell you how much the whole family, including their kids had a blast.  Photos credits from my brother in law, Dexter Manlapaz,

Photographed by Dexter Manlapaz

The Children's Park

I guess the highlight of their visit is this huge place of a playground for my nieces.

The Children’s Parks proposes an image of children as explorers; intelligent, competent, capable of meeting contemporary cultural on a visual level, and gifted with their own personal learning strategies. The aesthetic is far from the usual childish fairytales and primary colors, brimming with a visual language created by and for children: large animals made from their original drawings, planetary messages, interactive video, and opportunities to explore the complex theme of sustainable living.

The project, essentially a nature walk with eight exhibits, offers children playful learning experiences as they interact with various aspects of Expo Milan 2015’s core theme, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. An hour long tour includes each of the eight exhibits, brief interactive games for groups of around 25 children (a typical school class size), allowing approximately 1,200 visitors an hour, including adult chaperons.

My niece Daphne

 

The Tree of Life

 

 

Located at the centre of the Lake Arena is the Tree of Life, which is, at one and the same time, a monument, a sculpture, an installation, a building, and a work of art.

 

Constructed by Orgoglio Brescia, a consortium of local businesses, and some 37 metres tall, this wood and steel structure forms part of the metaphor of the Plant Nursery, which informs the concept of the Italian Pavilion. The latter was designed by Marco Balich, who is also its Artistic Director, and whose other talents include producing large-scale events.

 

The structure of the Tree of Life takes its cue from the Renaissance. Indeed, Marco Balich based his design on designs by Michelangelo. 

 

The bottom of the pond is filled with dark pebbles to create a mirror effect. At the center of the pond there are fountains and the Tree of Life. During the day the three and a half minute show takes place every hour, from 11:00 until 19:00. The evening shows are longer, lasting 12 and half minutes and take place from Monday to Friday at 20.30, 21.00, 21.30, 22.00. On Saturday and Sunday the light show takes place at:  20.30, 21.00, 21.30, 22.00, 22.30. The show features lighting, special effects, fireworks and music. During the day you can listen to five songs by contemporary Italian artists while in the evening the "Tree of Life Suite" accompanies the show, a piece composed by Maestro Roberto Cacciapaglia for the Expo.

  

 

Water is an element strongly linked to Expo Milano 2015’s theme: Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. Water also summons up memories of the ancient canals that are, in some ways, symbolic of Milan.

 

The Lake at Expo is fed from a four-kilometer spur from the Villoresi Canal, which flows eastwards linking the river Ticino to the river Adda. This addition is part of a wide project entitled Vie d’Acqua (Waterways).

 

Photos From my SIL's camera phone

 

 

Of course, to be able to experience the spectacle, you need to buy tickets. 

 

You can reserve and buy your tickets here.

 

Above is from the USA's pavilion.

My brother seemed to found bust in a different level that is... I just hope there weren't flies roaming around.

Above is the façade of Pavillion Zero, with my brother, his daughter and his inlaws.
Curated by Davide Rampello and designed by Michele de Lucchi, Pavilion Zero takes the visitor on an educational journey to explore how much humankind has produced, the transformation of natural landscape, and the culture and rituals of food consumption.

 

Given the synergies between the theme of Expo Milano 2015 and the UN Theme, “The Zero Hunger Challenge. United for a Sustainable World”, Pavilion Zero is also a fundamental part of the UN Itinerary. A number of UN panels or stele will be located throughout Pavilion Zero informing visitors, in a simple storytelling style, about links between the concepts present in each of the rooms. The UN Stele will emphasize the strong link between the theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life” and one of the UN mission: ensuring that all people have the access to safe and nutritious food to lead healthy and active lives, without compromising the needs of future generations