A Cultural Journey Exploring EXPO 2010 Shanghai, Beijing, and Changchun!

As I geared up for my digital art installation at EXPO 2010 Shanghai, I realized I was about to embark on my maiden voyage to Asia. Boarding an Emirates flight on September 24th, I was overflowing with excitement for the upcoming adventure. It was a tremendous privilege to be invited to Expo 2010 Shanghai, and I couldn't wait to explore the wonders that awaited me. Upon arrival at Shanghai airport, I was greeted by an expo representative who ushered me into a luxurious vehicle and drove me to the Intercontinental Hotel. My hotel room, numbered 707, boasted two jointed floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of a panoramic view of the Huang Pu river, it was akin to having a giant natural LCD screen outside my window. Lying in bed, I could see huge boats slowly gliding by from dawn to dusk. I could marvel at the Shanghai skyline, with the Pearl Tower standing tall. To my right was the Nanpu bridge, and to my left was the Lupu bridge, each with a distinct engineered design. At night, the Lupu bridge was illuminated with a dazzling display of rainbow colors, creating a magical atmosphere. As was my habit, I cleared the table and removed the flyers and magazines in my room. I then kept my drawing book on the table, creating a peaceful space for me to draw and unwind at night.

A sight of the Nanpu Bridge from Marc Northstar's room. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

The EXPO 2010 Shanghai spanned a massive 5.28 square kilometers (roughly 1300 acres.) I learned that this area was once home to residential areas and factories, all of which were demolished to make way for the EXPO pavilions. Even the hotel where I stayed was built specifically for the event. However, I was surprised to discover that the majority of the expo elements would be removed once the event ends in October 2010, despite eight years of hard work since the bid was won in 2002 at the International Exhibitions Bureau in Prince's Palace of Monaco. This raises questions about the sustainability of such events.

The pavilions at EXPO 2010 Shanghai were truly remarkable. Each country's pavilion had a distinct theme. For instance, the Indonesia Pavilion was focused on their environment, while the Brazil Pavilion had a soccer theme. The United Kingdom Pavilion had a spiky look that made you feel as if you were inside a three-dimensional software program. Others such as, the Brunei Pavilion aimed to showcase the prestige of its society, while the UAE Pavilion hired multi-national designers to create its sand-dune structure. The entire event was well-organized, with visitors often waiting in queue for hours to enter each pavilion. Even with a VIP pass, it would take two weeks to see all of the pavilions. Each pavilion had a story to tell, and there were even some countries, such as the unique cultural blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences in Macao, that were entirely new to me. As the host, the China Pavilion was one of the largest and most impressive pavilions at the event.

Pausing to stretch his legs, Marc Northstar captures the UK Pavilion through his lens. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

Despite the allure of the expo, I was eager to explore Shanghai and dive into its unique community. While I found the skyscrapers of the city to be somewhat repetitive, as I had previously experienced similar architecture in Dubai and Singapore, I was fascinated by the local culture. The language barrier was a challenge, as English was not commonly spoken, but I found it to be an enjoyable experience nonetheless. It was refreshing to take a break from my usual surroundings and immerse myself in a safe and foreign culture. I relied on my intuition to navigate my way through this new environment, and everything fell into place. Shanghai provided me with an opportunity to become an integral part of the intricate fabric of "Made in China."

Arriving at Shanghai Railway Station 上海火车站, I found myself at a loss as to which train to take, with security personnel who spoke no English. This forced me to quickly brush up on my baby Chinese language skills or carefully examine the Chinese character, which I found fascinating. Following my intuition, I boarded a train that ultimately led me to Beijing. This experience taught me the importance of taking gut action in order to achieve your goals. On October 1st, I hopped aboard a China Railway High-speed train bound for Beijing, which moved so smoothly at 350 km/h (217 mph) that the sound of the tracks was hardly audible, I felt I was riding on a silk. Inquiring of a fellow passenger, I asked if the train was made in China. He proudly replied, "Yes, of course.” and he joyfully added “We have a saying in China that we can have anything in the world except the FIFA World Cup." Once in Beijing, I found that Beijing carried a greater sense of cultural identity compared to the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Shanghai, with no German Street (Deutsche Strasse) to be found.

Reflection of Mind, MoCA Shanghai Envisage III, exhibition curated by Ding Yi and Wang Weiwei. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

One of the historical sites that left a lasting impression on me in Beijing was the Niujie Mosque, which dates back to 996 AD. The architectural style was a fascinating blend of Beijing and Islamic-Chinese art, featuring detailed elements that captured my attention. The most striking feature was the depiction of a dragon on the exterior architectural elements surrounding a calligraphy from the holy book, which was blended with Chinese characters. It was a mesmerizing sight that I will never forget.

Niujie Mosque boasts a detailed hip roof that seamlessly blends Chinese-Islamic architecture with intricate dragon motifs. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

Even though I couldn't understand the language, the sound of it was a new music to my ears. It made me feel welcome. Another architectural masterpiece that left me in awe was the Forbidden City. According to Feng Nai'en, the Palace Museum's assistant director, the floors are worn down and the color of the signature vermilion walls has faded due to the great amount of carbon dioxide exhaled by visitors. The palace is massive and it's said that the emperor had hundreds of wives, each with their own room. Men who were hired to work in the palace were required to be castrated, ensuring that they would not touch the ruler's treasures. But life is all about balance, and when we have too much, we lose that balance. It's believed that the last emperor of China, Puyi, attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree in the Forbidden City during the early 1920s. However, he was stopped by one of his attendants before he could carry out his plan. The tree continue to breathe until today!

With green trees interspersed between them, Marc Northstar captured the stunning roofs of the Forbidden City. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

My trip to China gave me a whole new perspective on the country that I never experienced before. Prior to my visit, my exposure to philosophy was limited to the teachings of Socrates. However, during my time in China, I was introduced to the works of Confucius, a philosopher who is revered for pioneering modern China and influencing billions of people. Confucius' teachings emphasized the importance of social relationships, including those between rulers and subjects, parents and children, and friends. These relationships were seen as essential to creating a harmonious and just society, which is still evident in Chinese culture today. Unlike Socrates, who believed in self-reflection and critical thinking as a means of improving society, Confucius believed that social relationships were the key to societal improvement.

My visit to the Great Wall of China was an unforgettable experience. The sheer size of the wall, spanning almost 4.5 times the distance between San Francisco and New York City, was truly awe-inspiring. As I walked along the crenelated wall, I couldn't help but marvel at the manpower and sweat that went into building it, even at the cost of some workers' lives being buried in it. Now, we buy tickets to walk on it, a stark contrast to the effort that went into creating it. As I made my way through the crowds, I found myself drawn to a quiet room. There, I placed my backpack down, took out my blank book, and set it on the windowsill. My pen moved across the page, creating subconscious abstract lines, capturing the essence of the moment.

Marc Northstar draws inspiration from the Great Wall. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

After visiting the Great Wall, I had the opportunity to explore the Beijing Dong Wu Silk Museum. The museum showcased the various stages of silk production, from silkworm breeding to silk reeling and weaving. It was fascinating to learn about the history and culture of silk in China.

Finally, I visited the China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, an iconic building designed by architect Paul Andreu. The structure is a massive half egg, with one half exposed to the air and the other half underground, surrounded by an artificial lake. It was incredible to see how the client and architect incorporated local university students into the design process. The building houses three venues: an opera house, a theatre, and a concert hall. One-quarter of the egg is planted with a distinctive titanium and glass dome, which floods the interior with natural light and reflects the spaciousness of the surrounding open space and the adjacent lake.

The interior of the China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra, illuminated by the distinctive titanium and glass dome that bathes the space in natural light. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

There were two explorations left a profound impact on my perception of the world and myself. The first was a visit to the Summer Palace, an ancient site that has undergone repeated destruction and reconstruction and renames. The palace's history reflects the social and political changes by almost maintaining its architecture identity. Through the examination of its design and materiality, I gained insights into the relationship between architecture and cultural practices, the interplay between tradition and innovation, and the role of art in shaping politics.

The second exploration was at the Bird's Nest, a contemporary national stadium that embodies the fusion of technological advancement & artistic imagination. Conceptualized by WeiWeil, designed by Herzog & de Meuron Basel Ltd, and engineered by Arup, the Bird's Nest challenged my understanding of the boundaries between art and engineering, public and private space. As I observed the stadium's intricate structure and skin texture, I reflected on the social and cultural values that underpin its harmonic transformation.

The Bird's Nest shimmers in the cold Beijing night, its reflection dancing on the surrounding lake as light glows on its skin. Courtesy of Marc Northstar

Both of these explorations illustrate how architecture serves as a window to the cultural and historical contexts of a local and cosmopolitan society, and how it reflects the aspirations, ideals, and challenges of the human condition.

In Beijing, my friend took me to her hometown in Changchun. Despite a packed train, we managed to bring a chair along for the ride. Downtown Changchun had a poetic quality that left me with a strong sense of déjà vu. I learned from the locals, including how to drink tea with three fingers in three phases. I discovered that the Chinese used to eat with their hands, and an Emperor instructed them to use steel chopsticks that would change color if the food was poisoned. Today, wooden chopsticks symbolize trust in Chinese culture.

My trip was filled with adventure and I returned multiple times over six months.

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