A diverse range of Japanese content centered around the theme “Where ideas meet” is presented as an exciting exhibition utilizing cutting-edge technologies at the Japan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Visitors will gain a sense of how new interactions can lead to a better future through the exchange of ideas – as has been the case historically in Japan. Visitors will also be encouraged to post their own ideas and thoughts, paving the way for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to be held in Japan.
The exhibition at the Japan Pavilion comprises 128 displays of miniature artworks personally and individually assembled for the event. Categorized into 4 themes – Space, City, Sea, and Land, each presentation highlights technological advancement and innovation in a distinctive style.
The miniature artworks inside the pavilion were created by Japanese artist Tanaka Tatsuya. He displays beauty in little things. By combining common objects with an immense library of tiny figurines, Tatsuya uplifts and stuns his audiences with everyday, relatable scenes depicted in a unique perspective. From a tiny Roman Colosseum scene in a tart shell to a transporting beach tableau using a prosciutto sandwich and egg “sun,” Tatsuya’s charming creations regularly attract a vast audience from around the world.
Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1981, Tanaka graduated as an art major and became an art director at a design firm. He began creating “Miniature Calendar” in 2011 and has since exhibited his “Miniature Life Exhibition: Tatsuya Tanaka’s World of Resemblance”, which has attracted over 1,600,000 visitors.
Known as the first “miniature” photographer, Tanaka is drawing attention with his Miniature Calendar, a collection of shooting one photograph a day for more than ten years. What started as a hobby of collecting and making plastic miniature figures soon led him to post daily photographs of miniature creations on Instagram. Gradually his work gained popularity turning him into a “miniature” photographer. Since 2011, Tanaka has been creating playful and intricate miniature dioramas as part of his ‘miniature calendar‘ project.
The exhibition at Japan Pavilion represents Japanese innovation is not solely about high-end technology; instead, it has drawn inspiration from both nature and traditional culture. Modern Japan and its future is shown through a series of cute, elaborate miniatures (mitate) using day-to-day objects.
Visitors can expect an interactive and engaging tour immersing them into culture, history, and technology to deliver a mind-blowing experience. Comprising of 6 interactive scenes and culminating with the Osaka Kansai 2025 Expo presentation, Japan Pavilion is definitely one not to miss.