Vancouver: Expo '86
"World in Motion - World in Touch"
May 2, 1986 to October 13, 1986
|
|
|
|
|
|
Color coded sections of the Expo '86 map (greatervancouverparks.com)
|
"Expo 86 was conceived modestly enough as a transportation exhibit to mark the centennials of the founding of Vancouver and the arrival of the first railroad train across Canada. But it has blossomed into an international extravaganza assembling more than 50 countries, 3 American states, 7 Canadian provinces and several dozen corporate exhibitors under the theme ''World In Motion, World in Touch.'' (Christopher S. Wren: New York Times April 20, 1986)
|
|
This fair was divided into 6 color zones where the 65 pavilions were mixed in with theaters, rides, and restaurants. The two themed pavilions, which still remain today, were the Roundhouse exhibiting "The Golden Age of Ingenuity" and the Expo Centre "Futures Pavilion," which was a 17-story geodesic dome with an OMNIMAX theater, a Futures theater with push button voting, and Design 2000, which was an exhibit of futuristic vehicles. Along with displaying culture in countries' pavilions and presenting futuristic ideas, this fair also contained many amusement rides that made it similar to an actual fair rather than an exhibition.
"Expo 86 has developed into a showcase for the most sophisticated hardware in the world, with exhibits that dazzle, instruct, edify and just plain amuse. It epitomizes the new trend in international exhibitions, built around a coherent theme, directed toward a smaller audience and run on a strict financial budget that does not stint on value. 'You can't persuade nations to go somewhere anymore just for the fun and frolic of the local population,' said Patrick Reid, a Canadian diplomat who is the commissioner general of Expo 86. 'You've got to have some serious theme.'" (Christopher S. Wren: New York Times April 20, 1986)
Click on the arrows to end the slideshow and scroll through the pictures
