The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Pavilion, fabricated by Pico, had a number of aims at Expo 2017 Astana. Firstly, to promote the organization itself, second to introduce the ‘Spirit of Shanghai’ to the world and third to conduct friendly exchanges and interactions between the people in SCO member countries with the following missions in mind: creating collaborative innovation, working towards a green economy and taking joint responsibility for public welfare.
A huge, striking drum-shaped personification of the ‘Shanghai spirit’ was the focal point of the pavilion. The giant drum was a replica of an original work by Yuan Xikun, a famous sculptor in China, which is located at the Shanghai headquarters of the SCO. Visitors were invited to bang on the drum to bring to life the vivid spirit of Shanghai.