Implementation of Media Technology in German EXPO Pavilion in Kazakhstan

EXPO 2017 took place in Astana/Kazakhstan from 10th June to 10th September. The slogan of the world's fair was "Future Energy: Action for Global Sustainability". The focus was on a sufficient and reliable supply of energy in developing countries as well as on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable forms of energy. In an exhibition area covering 25 hectares, over 100 countries focused on the reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency and "energy for all." The conceptual development, planning and realisation of the German pavilion was in the hands of a consortium headed by the insglück agency, who commissioned Neumann&Müller Veranstaltungstechnik to carry out the media technology for the German pavilion. An international team with local knowledge, supported by numerous N&M branch offices, executed the technical side of the presentation.

The focal points of the concept were a high-quality media presentation of the exhibits as well as extensive support services during the exhibition. A total of five trailers of equipment had been brought from Germany to Astana prior to the commencement of construction to equip the presentation of the country with modern 4K laser projectors and other AV equipment in line with German quality standards. In order to create a first-class visual impression, special installation lights were procured and other bespoke parts manufactured, which the team then installed with a keen eye for detail.

Multimedia Experience in the German Pavilion

After visitors had explored the exhibitions areas "Map of the Future" and "City of the Future", they came to the interactive highlight: a multimedia experience developed from "energy points" previously collected by means of RFID smart sticks. A round table, six meters in diameter, stood in the centre of the twelve-sided room and acted as a projection surface for a twofold 4K soft edge projection. From a recess in the middle of the table, laser beams were directed onto six further projection surfaces on the outer walls of the rooms by means of a mirror sculpture installed above to enable an interactive experience. The result was an impressive 360-degree presentation, further augmented by a three-dimensional audio installation.

The equipment for the production took nearly two weeks to cover the 4,700 kilometres through five countries from the N&M storage facility in Leipzig all the way to Astana. Having arrived undamaged, the last few metres turned out to be a real challenge for the logistics crew as only one service provider had been allowed on site to deliver supplies to the national pavilions. The entire equipment, therefore, had to be loaded onto pallets back in Germany. Due to the heavy workload, in some cases the logistics company only delivered the desired load to its final destination after a wait of several days. This meant that fast and close collaboration was required between all the disciplines involved to make up for lost time and meet the deadline for completion.

Numerous Awards and Nominations for the German Expo Contribution

The Expo ended with the "Bureau Internationale des Expositions" - the organisation in charge of expos - and the Kazakh expo organiser awarding the German pavilion a "Gold Star" for the best content in its category. At the same time the journal "Exhibitor Magazine" presented the German contribution with three awards - as "Best Pavilion" and "Best Interpretation of the Expo Theme", with the Smart Grid Table receiving the title "Best Interactive Exhibit".

The German presentation also received the iF Design Award und the category "Expo/Exhibition" and "Galaxy Awards" in three categories: Public Relations - "Sustainability Project" (Honour), Special Events - "Building/Construction" (Silver) and Special Events - "Publicity" (Silver).

There were also nominations for the FAMAB Awards - in the areas Architecture ("Best Thematic Exhibition"), Event ("Best Public/Consumer Event") and Cross ("Best Interactive Installation") - and for the "beaworld" Awards in the categories Public and Cultural Event as well as Trade Show.

Photos: Michael Ebert for N&M