The theme of the Spain pavilion, which will be inaugurated on October 1 at Expo 2020 is “Intelligence for life”

The Spain Pavilion, which was presented today, is located in the Sustainability District, close to some of the site’s top attractions, Al Wasl Square and the United Arab Emirates Pavilion.

The architectural project of the Pavilion, commissioned from the studio Amann-Cánovas-Maruri (Temperaturas Extremas Arquitectos SLP), stands out for its presence and durability.

The pavilion, run by Acción Cultural Española (AC / E) – the SOE responsible for managing Spain’s presence at world and international exhibitions – spans around 5,800 useful square meters and features a large square covered with a series of impressive cones. Part of its facade is fitted with ultra-light and flexible photovoltaic panels designed by the Spanish company The South Oracle (TSO). Its defining characteristic, visible from the whole of the Expo grounds, will be its large colored cones which use the atavistic memory of colors to convey Mediterranean culture and to endow the theme of sustainability with an optimistic message.

The pavilion will have two thematic exhibition spaces that complement each other. These spaces were designed by the temporary consortium formed by External Reference and Onionlab. Destellos, located in the plaza under the cones on the ground floor, includes a series of installations that show some of the contributions Spain has made to global culture and highlight our cultural ties to the Arab world. The Forest of Intelligence, at the underground level, is made up of trees made from a special material that absorbs CO2. It is a metaphorical space where innovative Spanish contributions will be exhibited to show how the country has committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and how it contributes to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. .

The temporary Empty – APD (ACCIONA Producciones y Diseño) consortium is in charge of the assembly of the exhibition path, while The Others TV is in charge of the production of audiovisual content and illustrations, and of the Pavilion application. .

Studio Daniel Canogar presents one of its most ambitious projects to date: Dinamo, an audiovisual installation specially designed for the Spain pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020, and created in collaboration with composer Francisco López. The installation hangs inside the atrium and is surrounded by ramps that lower visitors into the theater and underground exhibition area. It consists of three sculptural, interwoven loop-shaped screens that show constantly evolving generative audiovisual content through the interaction of visitors with the handrails along the ramp. As the handrail detects more contact, the content on Dinamo’s screens becomes more dynamic and saturated. In addition, the sound will become more intense as the interaction increases. As such, the activation of the installation is entirely in the hands of the visitors.

This space will house a very remarkable film aligned with the Expo theme, Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, and the Spain Pavilion’s slogan, Intelligence for Life. This film introduces Spain to visitors to Expo Dubai 2020 by showing it as a dynamic, lively country, brimming with talent and creativity, committed to a sustainable and inclusive future.

The title of the 8-minute film is “August Moon”, which was created by one of the most creative minds in Spanish cinema today, Nacho Vigalondo. ‘August Moon’ is the story of an unexpected cosmic phenomenon that affects an entire country: the sun makes its appearance in the middle of the night. This bizarre, science-fiction-based situation can only be resolved when we are all able to come to an agreement and work in unison towards a smart solution. Hence the link with the theme Connecting minds, creating the future, and the slogan Intelligence for life.

Vigalondo started writing the screenplay in 2019, and the author believes he only increased the symbolism with the pandemic. This audiovisual installation was shot in different settings across Spain, from the Roman theater in Mérida to a flamenco tablao in Madrid, from a festival in Torrelaguna (Madrid) to a view of Barcelona, ​​and from Gerra beach in Cantabria. at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (Canary Islands). It highlights not only the diversity of Spain, but also the openness of its people, its creativity and its ability to solve problems together, rooted in its joy of living and its quality of life.

Spain is today a pioneer in the use of chess as an educational tool. To this end and in resonance with the slogan of Expo Dubai 2020 – Connect minds, create the future -, the Pavilion wanted to highlight the enormous potential of chess to develop intelligence and create social links by launching a Global Online School Chess Tournament. Over 2,600 students from 54 countries participated in the Sub14 to Sub16 categories (from students born in 2006 and under 14 in January 2020 for the Sub14 category, to students under 16 as of January 1, 2020 for the Sub16 category) . This successful initiative was led by Leontxo García, Spanish Pavilion chess curator and expert journalist, and Marcelino Sión, co-curator.

The 12 qualified teams are expected to compete in the finals to be held in person at Expo Dubai from November 24-30. The ten qualified teams are: three from India, one from Mongolia, one from Israel, one from Greece, one from the Czech Republic, one from Hungary, one from the United States, one from Peru, in addition to two designated teams, one from United Arab Emirates and another from Spain (Escuela Municipal de Ajedrez de Torrelavega, Cantabria).

Spanish Pavilion, platform for design and technology “Made in Spain” The Pavilion of Spain serves as an exhibition platform for Spanish design and technology with companies such as Cosentino, supplier of coatings from floor and coverings, and Andreu World, designer of all the furniture. For the first time, we have developed the olfactory dimension of the Pavilion thanks to Iberchem, which has designed different aromas for each of the sections as well as an exclusive fragrance that will be offered to institutions as a gift from the Pavilion. In addition, the company Ambientair will perfume a range of candles with this fragrance. The Barceló Group offers its hospitality with its two hotels in Dubai while the Roca company provides bathroom solutions, Canaletas water fountains and Calzados Victoria shoes for the staff. The uniforms were created by Madrid designer Juan Duyos.

The Spain Pavilion Music and Performing Arts program at Expo Dubai 2020 is the result of a public tender that received more than 400 bids. Through this selection process, she wanted to offer as many Spanish artists as possible the opportunity to present their work in Dubai. The result is a diverse program for all types of audiences, based on Spanish culture with contemporary offerings that are both traditional and innovative. For families and children, during the Christmas holidays there will be workshops, magic shows and street theater in the Pavilion. Street theater will also be offered at other times of the Expo in public spaces throughout the site.

During the six months of the Expo, a total of 32 Spanish companies, including 200 artists, will present their work in Dubai. Around 100 shows will take place in the Spanish Pavilion and on the main stages of the Expo site. Flamenco will be strongly represented with names such as Miguel Poveda, Rosario La Tremendita and María Terremoto, among others. Visitors will also be able to listen to Spanish music in all its styles: period music with the medieval music ensemble Artefactum, the Renaissance flute quartet Piacere dei Traversi, classical music with the violinist Lina Tur Bonet accompanied by the pianist Alba Ventura, and Spanish guitar by Miguel Trápaga and José María Gallardo del Rey. Dance will be represented in the program by major companies such as the Spanish National Ballet and the company of Jesús Rubio Gamo, among others. On the theater side, Isabel Vázquez will present her creation La

Maldición de los Hombres Malboro, and shows will be organized by Tiritirantes, Bubble Factory and Maduixa Company, Mulïer. Added to this is a long list of names of extraordinary talent.

The Foro de Marcas Renombradas Españolas (FMRE – Forum of Spanish Brands) will manage The Shop, the retail space of the Pavilion of Spain. The store was designed as an extension of the Pavilion visitor experience, allowing them to discover and purchase products from some of the biggest Spanish brands. As in the rest of the Pavilion, the store’s common thread is sustainability. The store will be divided into two areas: one dedicated to cooking and another to clothing and accessories. For the management of the store, the FMRE relies on the experience of the company Moddo and a local partner, Al Ghurair Investments, one of the most prestigious groups in the United Arab Emirates. As such, the Shop will become a great showcase for Spanish brands in one of the most relevant regions in the world for our businesses. The store is also accessible online.

The companies present in this space are: Aceitunas Torrent, Acesur, Adam Foods, Adolfo Domínguez, Alma en Pena, Ambientair, Andreu World, Aristocrazy, Palacio de Oriente, Gulius, Hijos de Rivera, Pimentón La Chinata, El Ganso, Lola Casademunt, Natura Bissé, Roberto Verino, Starlite, Tendam, Tous, UNOde50 and Virginias.