By James Ogul
With Expo 2017 Astana just two months from opening conceptual designs for many of the 115 participating countries are beginning to be revealed. Budgets for these pavilions range up to several million dollars and participating countries hope to attract and tell their stories to audiences in the millions. Expo 2017 Astana will open June 10 and will close September 10. Here is a sampling.
Germany
Commissioner: Dietmar Schmitz
Theme: “Energy on Track”
Design: mac messe- und ausstellungscenter Service GmbH (implementation, construction) along with two partners, the Insglück Agency of Berlin (concept content, exhibition, media) and the architectural firm gtp2 Architekten of Düsseldorf (spatial concept, architecture)
United States
Commissioner: Ambassador George Krol
Theme: “The Source of Infinite Energy”
Design: USAP Expo 2017 overall project manager along with BRC Imagination Arts responsible for exhibit design and fabrication.
Austria
Commissioner: Richard Schenz
Theme: “Future Energy –With Brain, Heart and Muscle Power”
Design: BWM Architekten, Julia Landsiedl, GERHARD BAUER
Japan
Commissioner: Tomiyasu Nakamura
Theme: “Smart Mix with Technology”
Design: Exhibition producer: Asatsu-DK Inc.; exhibition designer/ construction is MURAYAMA INC.
United Kingdom
Commissioner: Rt. Hon. Charles Hendry
Theme: “We Are Energy”
Design: British Architect Asif Khan, Construction of the UK Pavilion in Astana is being led by Nussli
China
Commissioner: Wang Jinzhen
Theme: “Future Energy, Green Silk Road”
Monaco
Commissioner: M. Julien Cellario; Pavilion Director: M. Yvan Crovetto
Theme: “Mirroring the Future”
Since retiring from the US State Department in 2011 after a 30+ year career in world expos, James Ogul ([email protected]) has remained on the scene in an advisory and consulting role. He writes regularly for InPark Magazine about world’s fairs. See his free online book, Tales From the Expo.
Related Stories:
Japan at Astana 2017: A model for world’s fair participation
Tales from the Expo – Lessons for world’s fair exhibitors: an IPM online book by James Ogul
