A look at how our technology has been lighting up World Expos for 20 years

World Expos have long been associated with technological innovation – from the first live television broadcast at the New York World’s Fair in 1939 to Alexander Graham Bell’s demonstration of the first telephone in 1876, they have been platforms used by nations to showcase ideas, innovation, and technology.  

The first World Expo – known as the Great Exhibition – took place in London in 1851 and delighted guests with wonders from around the world, including a new revolver from Samuel Colt, a barometer from George Merryweather, as well as the world’s largest diamond. That legacy continues, with World Expos taking place every five years, and specialized and horticultural expos in between, all organized around a theme that attempts to improve knowledge, education and progress for humankind. 

To showcase ideas and innovations in country pavilions and help operations stay on track, World Expos have dazzled guests at special events and opening ceremonies with ProAV solutions. From Aichi in 2005 to Expo 2025 Osaka Japan, World Expos have relied on our technology to deliver exceptional experiences. 

Aichi 2005 

At Expo 2005 in Aichi, one of the most spectacular visual extravaganzas was “In the Evening at Koi Pond,” which transformed the Koi Pond located next to the Expo’s theme pavilion – Global House – into a major attraction as the setting for an experimental theatre. Here, the video elements came alive on a 35-meter-high by 90-meter-wide (115ft by 295ft) water screen in the large audience venue, delivered by our Roadie 25K projectors, one of the brightest and most rugged 3DLP projector series of its time. 

Shanghai 2010 

A record 73 million visits made Expo 2010 Shanghai the largest world’s fair in terms of attendance on what was also the largest site, 528 hectares that skirted both sides of the Huangpu River. At the Beijing preview exhibition “The Path to World Expo – Introduction to World Expo Shanghai 2010 China and the Retrospection of the World Expo History,” visitors previewed the pavilions of Expo 2010 Shanghai on what was then the largest dome screen in China - a 23 meter by 3.5 meter, 180 degree curved screen that used three Christie 3DLP projectors to produce a single seamless image.  

Yeosu 2012 

Two years after Shanghai’s success, a three-month event in the coastal South Korean city of Yeosu brought new opportunities, which included projecting on the world’s largest outdoor water screen and creating the first-of-its-kind, 360-degree simulated hot air balloon ride. Christie was selected as an official sponsor of Expo 2012 Yeosu. 

The centerpiece of Expo 2012 was the “Big O”, shown here during the day and illuminated at night.

The centerpiece of the Yeosu Expo was the “Big O,” in which Christie collaborated with show designer ECA2 and integrator Electrosonic. A permanent installation built to complement the surrounding seawater lagoon; “Big O” fused cutting-edge technology with compelling show content. Inside the 41-meter (134-foot) high iconic “O” (as in Ocean) appeared a giant water screen onto which two sets of triple-stacked Christie Roadie projectors projected a short film on ocean conservation from 100 meters (328 feet). Fountains designed by WET Design, located 20-, 25-, and 30-meters (65-98 feet) away from the structure, also acted as screens, with four sets of dual-stacked Christie 35,000 lumen projectors providing images.  

Astana 2017 

Held in the capital of Kazakhstan, Expo 2017 Astana (known since 2019 as Nur-Sultan) was laid out in a circular formation with the 100-meter-high, eight-story sphere known as the Nur Alem pavilion as the focal point. Within the sphere, the world’s largest spherical building at the time, 200 Christie Pandoras Box systems provided both real-time processing and show control for 34 media installations. 

Expo 2017 featured the world’s largest spherical building at the time, and included 200 Christie technology for real-time processing and show control for 34 media installations.

Christie worked closely with construction firms and integrators, including Astel Electronics, to install the systems during the cold Kazakh winter.  

Throughout the building’s eight floors, the Christie Pandoras Box units controlled hundreds of different laser projectors, displays, video walls, PCs, and digital devices used to run video mappings, immersive projections, interactive installations, and a wide range of additional audiovisual elements. 

Expo 2020 Dubai 

Expo 2020 Dubai is the first Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and continues the legacy of past Expos with its focus on innovation. We were proud to be the official projection and display partner of Expo 2020 Dubai. 

Al Wasl Plaza Dome, shown here during the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai.

At the center of Expo 2020 Dubai is the Al Wasl Plaza dome, both the world’s largest unsupported dome and the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface, which features 252 Christie D4K40-RGB RGB pure laser projectors. The “beating heart of Expo” hosted the impressive opening ceremony, with a worldwide audience of millions watching extraordinary and technologically advanced performances from the 1,000-strong cast and crew.  

The operational hub for the event is the Expo Operations Centre (EOC) which co-ordinates activities for the key operational team and is home to three video walls powered by 12 Christie 4K 30,000 lumen projectors and Christie Terra transport, processing and control solutions, all supported by Christie Professional Services.  

And country pavilions across the site are embracing ProAV technology, including the Russia Pavilion, which is giving guests a look at the scientific and cultural achievements of the country with an installation called “The Mechanics of Wonder” that includes a projection mapped model of the human brain.  

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan 

At Expo 2025 Osaka,Kansai, Japan, which runs until October 13, 2025, ideas, innovation, and technology are at the forefront with the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.   

Through our parent company Ushio’s co-sponsorship of a “Future Society Showcase Project,” more than a dozen of our Griffyn^® 4K50-RGB pure laser projectors are used to deliver spectacular visual experiences in the main exhibition hall, including the opening and closing ceremonies and major events.  

To learn more about Expo 2025, visit our webpage: https://www.christiedigital.com/trade-shows-and-events/expo-2025-osaka/