World Expo I: History & Culture
Info
- Digital artwork by Olio Imaginarium
- A series of 70 digital artworks
- Year: 2023
Artwork In brief
The World Expo 2050 reimagines the concept of exhibition, moving beyond the traditional confines of museums to create spectacular themed floating islands—each a microcosm of human achievement and imagination. Inspired by the 1900 Paris World Affair, this monumental expo settles for nothing less than revealing the full spectrum of world’s wonders. For your convenience, the islands are neatly packaged into three parts: ’World Expo I: History & Culture,’ ’World Expo II: Science & Nature,’ and ’World Expo III: Art & Fantasy.’
While museums have long preserved and showcased historical artifacts, they have also been criticized as old-fashioned and uninspiring storehouses of knowledge. Welcome to the future, where museums have evolved into immersive worlds, offering a wealth of experiences. Each island is its own universe, limited only by the scope of imagination. Far more than exhibitions, these are ’universums’—mini-worlds where visitors immerse themselves in the pivotal themes of history, science, art, and culture. In these spaces, visitors are not just spectators but active participants in vibrant, living worlds.
Islands of History
Each island unfolds like a chapter in a grand narrative, dedicated to a unique theme. In the “History & Culture” section, visitors can explore the spectrum of human culture from Stone Age to the modern times. Paying homage to its inspiration, the journey begins with a reconstruction of the 1900 Paris World Affair. Visitors can delve in the essence historic periods as they wander through islands showcasing the Industrial Revolution, Wild West, Renaissance city, medieval marketplace and the ancient worlds of the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians. Great historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall (marking the end of the Cold War era) and the Age of Discovery (15th-century maritime explorers) are highlighted on their own respective islands. Visitors will encounter a rich sampling of cultural heritage, including the bustling bazaars of the Middle East, the ancient civilizations of China and a selection of the diverse traditions of indigenous peoples worldwide.
Islands of Spirituality
The second set of islands delves into the realm of spirituality, drawing on a wealth of mythologies and religions from around the world. Begin your exploration on the exciting mash-up islands, dubbed ’supermarkets of spirituality,’ where a wide assortment of beliefs is at your fingertips. Venture forth to delve deeper into the practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and the many facets of Christianity. For enthusiasts of ancient lore, there are islands celebrating the sagas of Viking mythology and Celtic traditions. Seekers of the arcane can discover islands dedicated to enigmatic cults, Voodoo rituals, or even the mystical ’moai’ statues of Easter Island. And for moments of tranquility, consider a retreat to the serene Yoga island, or wear our special brainwave-calming VR-glasses to glimpse the future of spiritual experience.
See More
It seems there is no domain of humanity that an island cannot capture. Having designed over 200 theme islands for the ’World Expo 2050’, I am struck by the breadth of applications for the concept—yet it feels like we’ve only scratched the surface. Each island is a microcosm, a mini-universe centered around a singular idea, complete with its own intrinsic laws and workings. They package the vast spectrum of human history and culture into easy-to-understand segments, much like a delicious slice of pizza: easily digestible and topped with an endless variety of flavors. Hungry for more? Check the other parts of the series: ’World Expo II: Science & Nature,’ and ’World Expo III: Art & Fantasy.’
Islands of history
In the “History & Culture” section, visitors can explore the spectrum of human culture from Stone Age to the modern times. Paying homage to its inspiration, the journey begins with a reconstruction of the 1900 Paris World Affair. Visitors can delve in the essence historic periods as they wander through islands showcasing the Industrial Revolution, medieval marketplace, Renaissance city, and the ancient worlds of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Great historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall (marking the end of the Cold War era) and the Age of Discovery (15th-century maritime explorers) are highlighted on their own respective islands. Visitors will encounter a rich sampling of cultural heritage, including the bustling bazaars of the Middle East, the ancient civilizations of China and a selection of the diverse traditions of indigenous peoples worldwide.
Islands of spirituality
The second set of islands delves into the realm of spirituality, drawing on a wealth of mythologies and religions from around the world. Begin your exploration on the exciting mash-up islands, dubbed ’supermarkets of spirituality,’ where a wide assortment of beliefs is at your fingertips. Venture forth to delve deeper into the practices of Hinduism, Buddhism, and the many facets of Christianity. For enthusiasts of ancient lore, there are islands celebrating the sagas of Viking mythology and Celtic traditions. Seekers of the arcane can discover islands dedicated to enigmatic cults, Voodoo rituals, or even the mystical ’moai’ statues of Easter Island. And for moments of tranquility, consider a retreat to the serene Yoga island, or wear our special brainwave-calming VR-glasses to glimpse the future of spiritual experience.
