Since the reign of Prince Albert II, the city state of Monaco has been working to change its image as the home of the rich and famous and put forward its long-lasting contributions to scientific research and innovations, and numerous initiatives are being taken by the new government to make the country fit for a better future. For the presentation at the World Expo, themed “Monaco 360°,” the image of a country with many facets emerged, one where technology mingles with elegance. The essence of a rough diamond was used for the exterior architecture, leading to a striking multifaceted design covered with shimmering blue photovoltaic panels that allow the pavilion to operate in an energy-neutral manner for the duration of the Expo.
Upon entering the pavilion, guests walk through a kaleidoscope tunnel before experiencing two exhibitions. “Garden of Opportunities” showcases initiatives ranging from medical research and protecting biodiversity to the latest technological innovations. As visitors explore, they are immersed in the aromas of the Côte d‘Azur courtesy of a custom scent installation. Highlights include oversized penguin sculptures with embedded screens showing researchers in the Antarctic, a kinetic experience illustrating how Monaco reclaims land from the Mediterranean Sea while preserving local ecosystems, and a hands-on demo of how the country uses “Bluebots” in kindergarten classrooms to teach youth about computer programming.
The second exhibition, “Identity,” offers a fully immersive, fast-paced dive into the history and values of Monaco and its citizens set to a musical score performed by the Monaco Philharmonic Orchestra. Meanwhile, a second smaller pavilion-within-a-pavilion invites visitors to explore the cultural scene via a large, rotating, screen-laden kaleidoscope that rises from the ground. By means of a circular handrail, the kaleidoscope can be set in rotation, and images from Monaco's rich cultural life swirl in kind.
One installation in particular serves as a special tribute to the Expo motto “Connecting Minds – Creating the Future.” Visitors are invited to sit on a bench, in front of which is a monitor. When a visitor looks at the monitor, however, they see two people: themself and someone sitting on a similar bench in a public space thousands of miles away in Monaco. The pair can communicate with each other as if they were sitting side by side. To overcome any language barriers, participants can also interact using international emoticons.
