"Beehive of Arts"

In Aichi World Expo Garden, Spain Pavilion is doubtlessly a symbolic building, because the exterior wall of the hall uses 15,000 pieces of red, yellow and brown colored six-angle geometrical pattern pottery as decoration. This unique and creative exterior wall has rational functions and sharp-contrast colors, forming a huge artistic building that is visually striking to people.

The exterior wall with pottery grid windows is able to weaken the strong radiation of sunshine, also prevent the wind and rain. And the semi-blocked effect gives visitors a sense of mystery of what is exhibited in the hall behind the wall. Visiting the venue is just like entering a huge "Beehive of Arts". Of course, designers regard this expression as abstraction of "merge of different cultures", conveying the main theme of the venue: Sharing the technology and wisdom of human life.

It is designed by Alejandro Zaera-polo, the famous architect who divided the four-module 1,296 square meter area into one "plaza" hall and five smaller halls, where different themed contents are shown in "nature, culture, science, tradition and sports".

"Nature, Culture, Science, Tradition and Sports"

There are 16 big screens in the central "plaza" hall. The 360 degree all-around screen is playing the natural conditions and social customs in different places of Spain.

The first small hall is "scientific innovation". The major exhibit in this hall is a remote controlled robot and a Martian vehicle --- Landing on Mars Program. The spider-like robot is carefully collecting soil on Mars and sending back information to the earth. The exhibit is provided by the Space Biological Science Center jointly set up by Spain and NASA of the US.

The second small hall is "harvest of paradise", designed and created by the big master Javier Mariscal. He successfully designed the mascot "Cobi" for 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. His inspiration came from natural food, like vegetables, fruits, fish and crabs, which are carved into colorful and vital sculptures, and worn on visitors' heads. These exaggerated models and downsized characters describe the relations between man and nature in a humorous manner. Besides, exposition boards introduce the production technology of red wine and olive oil of Spain, as well as traditional agriculture and fishery of Spain.

The third small hall is "the World of Quixote". 2005 happens to be the 400 anniversary of its publication by the famous Spanish author. It is therefore of great significance to commemorate the book that has influenced the whole world at this grand event of World Expo. In the middle of the hall pile up many "Quixote" in different language versions with a big sofa as the background. In some "open books" there are buttons to press and choose languages. Tourists can choose their mother language to listen to the old yet vigorous story.

The fourth hall is "contemporary heroes". No doubt athletes are the heroes in the peaceful world today. Advocating heroes is the traditional culture of Spain. The hall introduces many famous Spanish athletes, gymnasiums and achievements in the recent years with photographs and real objects. More than ten World Cups and European Cups are shown in the middle of the hall, proudly telling the story of a country that produces "heroes".

The fifth hall is the performance area, movies and person shows taking turns. Some famous actors and actresses often come up to the stage to present the Spanish dance "Flamenco", delivering open, enthusiastic and traditional feelings.

Spain Hall excellently interprets the theme of the World Expo "Wisdom of nature", and has become one of the most welcome exposition halls. On May 26, in the first round of appraisal of Aichi World Exposition "Prize of Wisdom of Nature", Spain Hall won the silver medal in the four-module and above hall team.

(en.expo2010.cn)