The secrets behind the Catalan contribution to the Shanghai Expo 2010 presented in Barcelona

An exhibition in Barcelona shows through a series of photographs the building designed by Catalan-based architect Benedetta Tagliabue to represent the Spanish state in Shanghai.

CNA / Laura Pous

July 6, 2010 06:22 PM

Barcelona (CNA).- Architect Benedetta Tagliabue is bringing together Barcelona and Shanghai with a photographic exhibition that portrays the main characteristics of the Spanish Pavilion built for the 2010 World Expo. The construction, designed by the Catalan studio Miralles Tagliabue, attempts to highlight the values and peculiarities of the Spanish state without falling into the traditional topics of flamenco and toros (bulls).


The Palau Robert of Barcelona is offering visitors an opportunity to get to know more precisely the Spanish pavilion in the 2010 World Expo in Shangai. The architect, Benedetta Tagliabue, presents a series of photos that illustrate the process of construction of the building from 2007 until last May.

Tagliabue said that the construction of the pavilion is one of the “most exotic” projects that she has been involved in. Tagliabue chose to make the building mainly with wicker, a traditional Spanish material that it is also used in China. For the architect, it is important to keep traditions alive –such as those involving the use of wicker- which are almost forgotten.
 
The architect said that when she was designing the project, she avoided to “fall into the topics” of what is representative of the Spanish state. Therefore, she presented the traditional ideas associated with Spain in a different and modern way, with fluid forms that imitate a dance.
 
Benedetta Tagliabue also designed the space of the exhibition in Barcelona. At the exhibit, the visitor can appreciate the work of Tagliabue and her team through a winding structure that incorporates all the photos.
 
The photographic exhibition of the building of Benedetta Tagliabue will be in Barcelona until September, and may also be shown in Seville and Madrid.