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* {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} '''[[Expo '99|1999 Kunming]] ([[People's Republic of China|China]])'''
* {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} '''[[Expo '99|1999 Kunming]] ([[People's Republic of China|China]])'''
* {{flagicon|Germany}} '''[[Expo 2000|2000 Hannover]] ([[Germany]])'''
* {{flagicon|Germany}} '''[[Expo 2000|2000 Hannover]] ([[Germany]])'''
* {{flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Expo 2005|2005 Aichi]] ([[Japan]])'''
* {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Expo 2005|2005 Aichi]] ([[Japan]])
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Expo 2008|2008 Zaragoza]] ([[Spain]])
* {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Expo 2008|2008 Zaragoza]] ([[Spain]])
* {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} '''[[Expo 2010|2010 Shanghai]] ([[People's Republic of China|China]])'''
* {{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} '''[[Expo 2010|2010 Shanghai]] ([[People's Republic of China|China]])'''

Revision as of 21:54, 13 November 2010

"World's Fair" redirects here. For a listing of World Fairs, see List of world's fairs. For the episode of Criminal Intent, see World's Fair (Law & Order: Criminal Intent).
Queen Victoria opens the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, in 1851.

World's Fair, World Fair, Universal Exposition, and Expo (short for "exposition"), are names given to various large public exhibitions held in different parts of the world. The first Expo was held in The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom in 1851 under the title "Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations". "The Great Exhibition", as it is often called, was an idea of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, and was the first international exhibition of manufactured products. As such, it influenced the development of several aspects of society including art and design education, international trade and relations, and even tourism.[1] Also, it was the precedent for the many international exhibitions, later called "World's Fairs", which were subsequently held to the present day. In Acapulco, New Spain (Mexico), annual fairs took place for several centuries where countries from Asia exhibited their products brought to the New World by the Spanish Royal Navy Nao de China.

The main attractions at World's Fairs are the national pavilions, created by participating countries. At Expo 2000 Hannover, where countries created their own architecture, the average pavilion investment was around €13 million.[citation needed] Given these costs, governments are sometimes skeptical about participation as benefits are often assumed not to outweigh the costs. Tangible effects are difficult to measure; however, an independent study for the Dutch pavilion at Expo 2000 estimated the pavilion (which cost around €35 million) generated around €350 million of potential revenues for the Dutch economy. It also identified several key success factors for world exposition pavilions in general.[2]

Since the signing of the 1928 Convention on International Exhibitions, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE; Template:Lang-en) has served as an international sanctioning body. BIE-approved fairs are divided into a number of types: universal, international or specialized. They usually last between three and six months.

History

Further information: List of world's fairs

World's Fairs originated in the French tradition of national exhibitions, a tradition that culminated with the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 held in Paris. It was soon followed by other national exhibitions in continental Europe, and finally came to London where the first real international exhibition was held on May 1 of 1851.

Since their inception in 1851, the character of world expositions has evolved. Three eras can be distinguished:[citation needed] the era of industrialization, the era of cultural exchange, and the era of nation branding.[original research?]

Industrialization (1851–1938)

The first era could be called the era of 'industrialization' and covered, roughly, the period from 1800 to 1938. In these days, world expositions were especially focused on trade and famous for the display of technological inventions and advancements. World expositions were the platform where the state of the art in science and technology from around the world was brought together. The world expositions of 1851 London, 1889 Paris, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago 1893, 1900 Paris, 1904 St. Louis and 1915 San Francisco exhibitions can be called landmarks in this respect.[citation needed] Inventions such as the telephone were first presented during this era. An important part of the image of World's Fairs stems from this first era.

Cultural exchange (1933–1987)

The 1933 Century of Progress International Exposition presented a departure from the original focus of the expositions. From then on, World's Fairs became more strongly based on a specific theme of cultural significance, and began to address issues of humankind. They became more future oriented and 'utopian' in scope. Technology and inventions remained important, but no longer as the principal subjects of the Fair. "Science Finds-Industry Applies-Man Conforms" (Chicago, 1933–34) and "Building The World of Tomorrow" (New York, 1939) are examples of these 'new' themes. Cross-cultural dialogue and the exchange of solutions became defining elements of the expos. The dominant Fair of this era arguably is Montreal's Expo 67. It was also during this time, specifically in the 1960s,[citation needed] that BIE organizers started calling World's Fairs "Expos".

Nation branding (1988–present)

From Expo '88 in Brisbane onwards, countries started to use World Expositions more widely and more strongly as a platform to improve their national images through their pavilions. Finland, Japan, Canada, France and Spain are cases in point. A large study by Tjaco Walvis called "Expo 2000 Hanover in Numbers" showed that improving national image was the primary participation goal for 73% of the countries at Expo 2000. In a world where a strong national image is a key asset, pavilions became advertising campaigns, and the Expo a vehicle for 'nation branding'. Apart from cultural and symbolic reasons, organizing countries (and the cities and regions hosting them) also utilize the world exposition to brand themselves. According to branding expert Wally Olins, Spain used Expo '92 and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona in the same year to underline its new position as a modern and democratic country and present itself as a prominent member of the European Union and the global community.

Today's world expositions embody elements of all three eras. They present new inventions, facilitate cultural exchange based on a theme, and are used for city, region and nation branding.

Types

Presently, there are two types of world expositions: registered and recognized (sometimes unofficially known as "major" and "minor" fairs, respectively[3]). Registered exhibitions are the biggest category events. Previously, registered expositions were called "Universal Expositions". Even though this name lingers on in public memory, it is no longer in use as an official term. At registered exhibitions, participants generally build their own pavilions. They are therefore the most extravagant and most expensive expos. Their duration may be between six weeks and six months. Since 1995, the interval between two registered expositions has been at least five years. Currently, the registered exposition Expo 2010 in Shanghai is under way until November 1.

Recognized expositions are smaller in scope and investments and generally shorter in duration; between three weeks and three months. Previously, these expositions were called "International or Specialized Expositions" but these terms are no longer used officially. Their total surface area must not exceed 25 ha and organizers must build pavilions for the participating states, free of rent, charges, taxes and expenses. The largest country pavilions may not exceed 1,000 m2. Only one recognized exhibition can be held between two registered exhibitions.[4]

There is also a third category of exposition—the horticultural exhibitions, which is a joint BIE and AIPH-sanctioned 'garden' fair, where gardens and garden pavilions take the form of a participant's representation. The 2006 Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in Chiang Mai, Thailand can be considered an example of the category.[5]

"Registered Expositions" or Universal Expositions

Universal Expositions encompass universal themes that affect the full gamut of human experience, and international and corporate participants are required to adhere to the theme in their representations. Universal expositions are usually held less frequently than specialized or international expositions because they are more expensive as they require total design of pavilion buildings from the ground up. As a result, nations compete for the most outstanding or memorable structure—recent examples include Japan, France, Morocco & Spain at Expo '92. Recent Universal Expositions include Brussels Expo '58, Montreal Expo 67, Osaka Expo '70, and Seville Expo '92. Sometimes pre-fabricated structures are also used to minimize costs for developing countries or for countries from a geographical block to share space (i.e. Plaza of the Americas at Seville '92).

The only Universal Exposition to be held without BIE approval was the 1964–1965 New York World's Fair.[citation needed] The sanctioning organization at Paris denied them "official" status because Robert Moses did not comply with BIE rules in place at the time, namely the one limiting the duration for Universal Expositions to six months only. The fair was held through two six-month periods over two years.[citation needed] The Fair proceeded without BIE approval and turned to tourism and trade organizations to host national pavilions in lieu of official government sponsorship. However, a large number of Governments did participate in the world's fair.[citation needed] Frederick Pittera, a producer of international fairs and exhibitions and author of the history of world's fairs in the Encyclopædia Britannica and Compton Encyclopedia), was commissioned by Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. of New York City in 1959 to prepare the first feasibility studies for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Pittera was joined in his study by Austrian Architect Victor Gruen (Inventor of the 'Shopping Mall').[citation needed] The Eisenhower Commission ultimately awarded the world's fair bid to New York City against several major U.S. cities.[citation needed]

Since the turn of the 21st century the BIE has moved to sanction expos only every five years;[citation needed] following the numerous expos of the 1980s and 1990s, some see this as a means to cut down potential expenditure by participating nations. The rule may apply to all expos, or it may end up that Universal expositions will be restricted to every five years or so, with International or Specialized expositions in the in-between years for countries wishing to celebrate a special event.[citation needed] The most recent and currently ongoing universal expo is Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

"Recognized Expositions" or International or Specialized Expositions

International expositions are usually united by a common theme—such as Transportation (Vancouver Expo 86), or, 'Leisure in the Age of Technology' (Brisbane, Expo '88). Such themes are narrower than the wider scope of Universal expositions.

Specialized and international expositions are usually smaller in scale and cheaper to run for the host committee and participants because the architectural fees are lower and they only have to rent the space from the host committee, usually with the pre-fabricated structure already completed. Countries then have the option of 'adding' their own colours, design etc. to the outside of the pre-fabricated structure and filling in the inside with their own content. One example of this is China, which has often chosen to add a Chinese archway in the front of its pre-fabricated pavilions to symbolize the nation (Expo '88, Expo '92, Expo '93).

The 2008 International Exhibition has been hosted by Zaragoza, Spain with the theme "Water and the Sustainable Development".

Expo 2012 will be held in Yeosu, South Korea, with the theme "The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities".[6]

Horticultural Exhibitions

Recent horticultural international exhibitions include 1990 International Gardens and Greenery Exposition, Osaka, Japan; 1999 International Garden Festival, Kunming, China; 2006 Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Taipei Intl Gardening & Horticulture Expo 2010 The 2010 Taipei International Gardening and Horticulture Exposition will be held for the first time in Taiwan from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011 by the Taipei City Government and the Taiwan Floriculture Development Association, TFDA.

This grand event offers an excellent opportunity to inspire people’s concern for their living environment around the world, and stir them to make their homes, neighborhoods and communities more green, more energy efficient, and sustainable.

List of expositions

Main article: List of world expositions

List of hitherto official world expositions (Universal, International/Specialised, Horticultural) according to the Bureau International des Expositions[7] and ExpoMuseum:[8] International Registered Exhibitions now held every five years are in bold. Upcoming world expositions are in italics.

International Horticultural Exhibition

The BIE, since 1960, grants recognition to the International Horticultural Exhibitions approved by the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers).[9] The requirements of an International Horticultural Exhibition recognized by the BIE are:

  • Must have a minimum duration of three months a maximum duration of six months.
  • An interval of at least two years between two International Horticultural Exhibitions in different countries is required, while an interval of at least ten years is required if they are held in the same country.
  • An International Horticultural Exhibition must also be held between two World Expos registered by the BIE.

Aftermath

The majority of the structures are temporary, and are dismantled at the end of the expo. Towers from several of these fairs are notable exceptions. By far the most famous of these is the Eiffel Tower, built for the Exposition Universelle (1889), which is now the most recognized symbol of its host city Paris. Some critics of the time wanted the tower dismantled after the fair's conclusion.

Other major structures that were held over from these fairs:

Other outstanding exceptions:

  • The remains of Expo '29 in Seville where the 'Plaza de España' forms part of a large park and forecourt, and many of the pavilions have become offices for Consulate-Generals.
  • An elevated railway with trains running at short intervals was built for the Milan 1906 expo. It linked the fair to the city centre. It was dismantled in the 1920s.
  • The aquarium of Milan Expo '06 (1906) was built for the fair and after 100 years is still open and was recently renovated.
  • The ICOH (International Commission on Occupational Health), was settled in Milan during the Expo '06 and had the first congress in the Expo pavilions. In June 2006 the ICOH celebrated the first century of life in Milan.
  • The pavilions of Expo '92 in Seville had been reconverted into a technological square and a theme park.
  • The M. H. de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park was a survivor of the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition until it was replaced with a larger building.
  • The rebuilt Palace of Fine Arts is all that remains from the 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This can be seen on the fair grounds near the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • San Antonio kept intact the Tower of the Americas, the Institute of Texan Cultures and the Convention Center from HemisFair '68.
  • Among the structures still standing from Expo 67 in Montreal are Moshe Safdie's Habitat 67, Buckminster Fuller's American pavilion, and the French pavilion (now the Montreal Casino).
  • The Sunsphere remains as a figure in the Knoxville skyline, left from the 1982 World's Fair.
  • The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is housed in the one of the last remaining building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, which had been the Palace of Fine Arts. The intent or hope was to make all Columbian structures permanent, but most of the structures burned, possibly the result of arson during the Pullman Strike. Another survivor is the Norway pavilion, a small house located at a museum in Wisconsin. However, the foundation of the world's first Ferris wheel, which operated at the Exposition, was unearthed on the Chicago Midway during a construction project by the University of Chicago, whose campus now surrounds the Midway. Finally, a third remaining building is the Maine State Building, now housed at the Poland Springs Resort, in Poland Springs, Maine.
  • The Skyneedle, the symbol tower of Brisbane's World Expo '88, as well as the Nepal Peace Pagoda of the Nepalese representation, now at the transformed World Expo '88 site South Bank Parklands, and the Japan Pond and Garden from the Japanese representation, now at the Brisbane Mount Cooth-tha Botanic Gardens remain from Expo '88 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • A particular case is the EUR quarter in Rome, built for a World's Fair planned for 1942, was never used for its intended purpose, because of World War II, and today hosts various offices, governmental or private, and some museums.
  • The "American Theatre" on the Brussels Expo in 1958 is now frequently used as a television studio by the VRT.
  • The home of Satsuki & Mei Kusakabe, built for the 2005 Expo in Aichi, remains operating at its original site in Morikoro Park and is a popular tourist attraction.

Some World's Fair sites became (or reverted to) parks incorporating some of the expo elements, such as:

Some pavilions have been moved overseas intact:

The Brussels Expo '58 relocated many pavilions within Belgium: the pavilion of Jacques Chocolats moved to the town of Diest to house the new town swimming pool. Another pavilion was relocated to Willebroek and has been used as dance hall Carré[13] ever since. One smaller pavilion still stands on the impressive boulevard towards the Atomium: the restaurant "Salon 58" in the pavilion of Comptoir Tuilier.

Many exhibitions and rides created by Walt Disney and his WED Enterprises company for the 1964 New York World's Fair (which was held over into 1965) were moved to Disneyland after the closing of the Fair. Many of the rides, including "it's a small world", "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln", and "Carousel of Progress" (since moved to the Walt Disney World Resort and updated), are still in operation.

Disney had contributed so many exhibits to the New York fair in part because the corporation had originally envisioned a "permanent World's Fair" at the Flushing site. That concept instead came to fruition with the Disney theme park Epcot, an extension of the Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Florida. Epcot has many of the characteristics of a typical Universal Exposition: national pavilions, as well as exhibits concerning technology and/or the future, along with more typical amusement-park rides. Meanwhile, several of the 1964 attractions, relocated to Disneyland, have been duplicated at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Occasionally other bits and pieces of the Fairs remain. In the New York subway system, signs directing people to Flushing Meadows, Queens remain from the 1964–65 event. In the Montreal subway at least one tile artwork of its theme, "Man and His World", remains. Also, a seemingly endless supply of souvenir items from Fair visits can be found, and in the United States, at least, can often be bought at garage or estate sales. Many of these events also produced postage stamps and commemorative coins. The 1904 Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held in conjunction with the 1904 St. Louis Fair, although no particular tie-in seems to have been made.

Future potential expositions

2017 or 2018 will see a recognized exposition. Several Canadian cities have been interested in 2017 as it is the year of Canada's 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial. In 2007, a Vancouver, British Columbia based group (Expo 17 Inc) publicly unveiled a 51-page proposal[14] to stage a sustainable "hybrid" expo in Montreal, consisting of a BIE approved recognized expo, a horticultural expo, and a housing expo. Following a recent decision by Canadian Heritage which allows only the city of Edmonton, Alberta to bid for an expo, however, the group is now pursuing alternative events to mark Canada's sesquicentennial. Meanwhile, Edmonton has been actively developing a bid for Edmonton EXPO 2017 since 2008.[15] In May 2009, Calgary, announced to Canadian Heritage it would begin to develop a bid for 2017 as well, but withdrew in November 2009.[16] Ottawa, Canada's capital city, had also considered bidding for 2017.[17] As of November 2009, Edmonton is the only Canadian bidder.[18][19][20]

2020 will see a registered exposition. Bidding may begin as early as 2011 for this larger sized exposition.

Although the United States is not a member of the Bureau of International Expositions, there are citizen efforts with the intention of bringing a World's Fair to the United States:

  • Houston – "Inspired Invention: A Vision for the Future"[21]
  • New York – "Showcasing the World"[22]
  • San Francisco – "Interculture: Celebrating the World's Cultures while Creating New Ones through Interaction and Exchange."[23]
  • Los Angeles – "Pacific Rim and Gateway to the World", according to Jonathan Beutler
  • Las Vegas – "The future of my future," according to the Wall Street Journal [24]

The Philippines is also possibly bidding for the Expo 2020.

  • Manila – "Manila, Celebrating Light and Life"[25]

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia also proposes to host an Exposition in 2020[26]

Media reports[27] also suggest that Sydney, New South Wales, Australia may bid for the Australian 2020 time slot.

Copenhagen, Denmark, is also considering whether to bid for the Expo 2020.

São Paulo, Brazil's largest city is bidding for the 2020 World Expo.

References

9.↑ Oliveira, Elida (04/01/2010). "Deu na Imprensa - Disputa acirrada" (in Spanish). Portal da Prefeitura da Cidade de São Paulo. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) 10.↑ "Spin City". CNBC Business. April 2009.

  1. ^ John R. Davies in Findling and Pelle (2008), "Encyclopedia of World's Fairs and Expositions", pp. 13–14
  2. ^ Tjaco Walvis (2003), "Building Brand Locations", Corporate Reputation Review, Vol.5, No.4, pp. 358–366
  3. ^ E.g., Kim Guttormson, "Calgary, Edmonton to battle for world's fair bid; comment of June 03, 2009 - 12:11 AM"; Calgary Herald, June 3, 2009.
  4. ^ Based on: BIE Convention
  5. ^ http://www.aiph.org/site/index_en.cfm?act=teksten.tonen&parent=4683&varpag=6339
  6. ^ http://www.expo2012.or.kr/
  7. ^ BIE Web Site
  8. ^ ExpoMuseum - The World's Fair Museum
  9. ^ http://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/expos/horticultural-exhibition.html
  10. ^ Expo, International Expositions 1851-2010,Anna Jackson, 2008
  11. ^ http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/
  12. ^ http://www.artequin.cl/
  13. ^ http://www.carre.be
  14. ^ Expo 17 Proposal
  15. ^ http://www.edmontonexpo2017.com
  16. ^ Calgary pulls plug on Expo 2017 bid, keeps West Village plans
  17. ^ World Fair in Ottawa 2017
  18. ^ A year-long party for $2.3B
  19. ^ Expo a global draw
  20. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsgI9m-fDRw
  21. ^ http://www.expo2020.us
  22. ^ http://www.freewebs.com/nycexpo2020/
  23. ^ http://www.2020worldsfair.com/
  24. ^ Michaels, Daniel (February 19, 2009). "The U.S. Can't Host a World Expo, and Fans Say That's No Fair". The Wall Street Journal.
  25. ^ http://www.expomuseum.com/2020/
  26. ^ http://www.foundationexpo88.org/captaincook.html
  27. ^ "Who stole our mojo? asks Sydney". The Age. July 1, 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2010.

Literature

  • Alexander C. T. Geppert: Fleeting Cities. Imperial Expositions in Fin-de-Siècle Europe, Basingstoke/New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
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