Above: Winy Maas, Nathelie de Vries and Jacob van Rijs looking up at Hannover Expo 2000.
The World Expo 2000 in Hannover was the first world exhibition to be held in the 21st Century and the very first to ever be held in Germany. The world exhibition as a phenomenon started in the 19th century as an attempt to exhibit technical innovation and to develop and spread these new ideas into the culture of the period. Over the next century other mediums have gradually taken over the role that the world exhibition once fulfilled and so in order to breathe new life into the outdated phenomenon the Expo 2000 in Hannover was created.
The main theme of Expo 2000 was sustainable development and bridging the gap between nature and culture. While the Expo did act as a stage for presenting theater, dance music and interactions, it was also seen as an opportunity to make clear the potential human beings have in developing a sustainable future.
Most of the pavilions at the Expo reflected on the relationship between nature and culture and The Netherlands’ pavilion designed by architectural firm MVRDV was no exception. Six stacked stereotypical ‘Dutch’ landscapes formed the building’s structure. This architectural experiment sought to showcase the possibilities of utilizing space as population density increases as well as exploring the concept of ‘new nature’: a mix of technology and the natural. While other participants critiqued the impact technology and consumerism can have on nature, the Netherlands’ pavilion emphasized the idea that technology and nature do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive, but that they can also reinforce one another.
Sources:
Martine Flamme-Jasper, 'Expo 2000. Hannover Architektur'. Verlag Hatje Cantz, 2000.
Harm Tilmans, 'Uit ons archief: Expo Hannover (2000) - Enscenering van artificiële natuur'. De Architect, 11 july. 2000.
https://www.dearchitect.nl/239571/enscenering-van-artificiele-natuur-expo-hannover
MVRDV - Expo 2000
https://www.mvrdv.nl/projects/158/expo-2000