Osaka Expo ’70

  • Pavilion Pulled Down, Packed Up And Repurposed

    The Australia Pavilion from the recently completed Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is simply going to be dismantled, and its parts repurposed for other projects: a stark contrast to the fate of previous pavilions from earlier world’s fairs held in Japan. Last time Osaka held the fair in 1970, the Australia Pavilion had been one of the stars of the show, dazzling visitors with its architecture inspired by Hokusai‘s Great Wave Off Kanagawa in homage to the hosts. It made such a lasting impact that instead of ripping it down and forgetting about it, Aussie aficionados in Japan had the pavilion relocated to Yokkaichi in Mie Prefecture. Though at first…

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    A Symbol Of Japan That Fits Australia Like A Shoe

    Given the powerful pull of the surf culture in Australia, a link with Katsushika Hokusai‘s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa that immediately conveys an image of Japan was almost inevitable, but also symbolizes the strong ties between the two countries almost made for each other. Countless Australian companies, organizations, entrepreneurs, artists and others utilize or have utilized directly or derivatively the iconic Japanese work forming one of Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Even though the Great Wave is an instantly recognizable image that embodies the essence of Japanese spirit, particularly with the inclusion of Mount Fuji, Australia has long recognized the work as a shared connection between the countries….

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    Australia At Osaka Expos: From The Tower Of The Sun To Chasing The Sun

    Australia is exhibiting at the recently opened Expo Osaka 2025, and it got me thinking about the difference between now and the last time Japan’s second city held the world’s fair in 1970. Back 55 years ago, Japan was keen on showing to the world its miraculous recovery from the devastation wrought on it in World War II and Australia was keen on pushing itself as an advanced economy basking in glorious sunshine while surrounded by sunny beaches. Taro Okamoto‘s sculpture, The Tower of the Sun, was a symbol of the Expo and the Australian pavilion was widely praised for its architecture influenced by Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave Off…