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A 480-page coffee-table style testimonial of the architectural, cultural and economic left by the World Expo Shanghai 2010, which was just officially launched at the end of last month, has now become a newest addition to the collection of t he “World Expo Information Center” of Shanghai Library.
The kaleidoscopic picture album “THE UNBEATABLE – Contemporary Masterpieces” featuring 84 international pavilions including 27 award-winning projects such as the UK, Spanish and Danish pavilions, is produced by REVEALbooks+fotos Pte Ltd, an independent German publishing house founded by the Stuebe family - Mr. Detlef Stuebe, his wife Katarina and daughter Monika, who are also authors of the book.
On April 6th four copies of “The Unbeatable” were donated to Shanghai Library by the visiting Stuebe family. They were welcomed by Mr. ZHOU Deming, Shanghai Library’s deputy director for collections and services, and were presented a donation certificate as the books were handed over.
Served as commissioned photographers of nine national pavilions, the authors of “The Unbeatable” witnessed the transformation of the Expo Site as it slowly changed from a bustling construction site into an unparalleled melting pot of international significance, and home to many international architects, pavilion operators and staff who contributed their skills and cultures to enrich the tapestry of a magnificent event.
This led to the first idea of documenting the Expo to preserve those architectures, which were so miraculous and amazing, but also ephemeral as they were temporarily built for only a six-month existence. While collecting and editing their pictures, the Stuebes spent nearly a year interviewing the architects of 84 international pavilions, including 27 award-winning projects that awed visitors from around the world. Acclaimed architects share their unique design ideas, showcasing initial design sketches, drawings, models and formerly unpublished materials, as well as their personal perspectives and the foresight in creating a “life after Expo” for their buildings.
“The Unbeatable” is divided into two parts, Expo Tour and Expo People. Tour covers architectural achievements, design concepts and motivations of architects and designers. And the People section contains a fascinating array of people from around the world - including Chinese from the most remote villages. p>
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The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions, V.G. Loscertales, has praised the glossy publication as “an additional legacy and invaluable memory of this remarkable event that will remain as a milestone in the history of World Expos and of its host city and country but also in our hearts.”
After the debut in Shanghai and Beijing, the authors will kick off the book launch tour in Europe in late May/early June which involves Paris, London, Munich and Basel.
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