The first is ‘LAB.01‘. This pavilion is sponsored by DaimlerChrysler and the theme is ‘Discover The Next’. At the entrance, a short film entitled ‘The Evolution of Interface’ was screened. The inside is divided into 4 areas – tactile sensation, auditory sensation, visual sensation and the body.

All sorts of installations like a formant synthesis and maze game using the voice recognition system (auditory sensation), motion tracker (visual sensation), a system generates sound and visual reacting to human action (the body), etc. were exhibited inside the pavilion. There I could find the same sensation and excitement as I got at the ‘Expo1986 in Tsukuba’ that I experienced when I was 9 years old.

The second is the theme pavilion of Expo. ‘Planet of Visions’ goes back through the history of man from the viewpoint of utopia. ‘The 21st Century’ represents the future after the 21st century using the style of a museum. ‘Planet of Visions’ represents what utopia is with a huge panorama of ancient buildings. Inputting the message of light into the touch panel covered with rocks, then it goes forward to the future, The 21st Century, together with the message.

The furniture, clothes, wigs in the 21st century are exhibited as relics excavated in the future and each relic has an explanation. Exhibits that make us feel the future like a chair that makes an organic change and bookshelf combined with computer are also exhibited. But almost of them are showcased only in glasscases and they are no more than proposed ideas. I felt that something was missing from those exhibits.

After walking around the pavilions, I had one question. ‘How is the general theme reflected?’ I felt something was missing with the exhibits, but there were definitely many interesting exhibits. If you have a chance to travel around this area, you should see the last Expo in the 20th Century. I strongly recommend buying an evening ticket. In 2005, ‘Expo Aichi’ will be held in Japan. How will it be and what kind of exhibits can be seen there?

EXPO 2000 Hannover
Date: June 6th – October 31st, 2000
Place: Hanover Fairground (Messegelände Hannover)
https://www.expo2000.de