"Water unique resource" at expo zaragoza 2008

director of content and media

LOCATION: Zaragoza, Spain. Zaha Hadid’s newly constructed bridge,

DURATION: Temporary. June- September 2008.

VISITORS: 1,300,000 in 3 months.

CLIENT: Expo Zaragoza 2008.

ROLE: I was in charge of working closely with content specialists, client and producers to develop the exhibition script, the exhibition experiences, the website and catalogue. I was Director of Content and Media and Project Manager for Ralph Appelbaum Associates.

Expo 2008 was the international expo that took place in Zaragoza, Spain that focused on water. The event had 3 main thematic exhibitions. We conceived and designed the one was inside a bridge at the entrance of the Expo and dealt with the current global water crisis.

A series of poetic and informative outdoor spaces were created with different materials and audio experiences to express the different aspects of our economic, social and spiritual relationship to water. Inside Zaha Hadid’s bridge, a unique multimedia space shaped by synchronized large-scale media and graphic elements strongly stressed the urgency of the water crisis and the need to find solutions. Collective interactive experiences using motion graphics, text and images as well as hands-on messages left by visitors expressed the importance of making access to water a recognized universal human right.

Bridge building designed by Zaha Hadid as part of Expo site connecting a newly developed part of the city.

Four outdoor elements conceived as a prelude to present the nurturing aspects of water to our life.

Water pulsed through the walls of this glass cube which poetically conveyed the idea that water is origin and life.

The interior space housed a minimal installation of water and music.

Wooden slabs of different lengths created a partially open environment.

Inside, a central pool with natural flowers symbolized the essential nature of water to life.

Each wooden slab had data about how much water is needed to produce different products.

The third space expressed the importance of water in the world's cultures and religions.

At the center a glowing column provided information about the role of water in different cultural and religions practices.

The space was with steel sheets with cut out quotes by important thinkers and writers.

Inside Zaha Hadid's building, a large media surface explained the world's current water crisis.

Backlit graphics presented the causes of the water crisis.

Concrete examples showed evidence of the crisis' effects.

This installation of multiple LED strips converging at the end of the ground floor showed latest news about the global water crisis.

On the ramp accessing the second floor of the Bridge Pavilion, a mixed video and graphic installation invited visitors to evaluate and think about our role in the crisis.

A media installation stressed the importance of providing access to water to communities in need.

Visitors could check their water footprint by answering questions at the interactive screens placed along this 10-meter long table.

In the semi-covered space at the end of the pavilion, visitors encountered in the middle a large-scale floating lantern. When they walked underneath it, they activated the projections above.

Panels placed on the building walls stressed the importance of making water a universal human right.

At the end of the exhibition, a long water and glass installation invited visitors to leave their ideas and messages.

Visitors left their messages on glass panels placed in front of running water.

Concept, content and design of exhibition website.

Concept, content and design of exhibition catalogue.

Scripts and storyboards for all media and interactive experiences.