2004 Universal Forum of Cultures - Exhibitions

Exhibitions

The forum showed four thematic exhibitions, intended to achieve a renewal of ideas and attitudes toward the 21st century, by undertaking a careful analysis of cultural diversity, sustainable development and the conditions for peace:

• Voices. An exhibit (designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, creative direction by Mona Kim) of the world's languages to celebrate human communication and linguistic and cultural diversity.
• Inhabiting the World. A study about how humankind relates to the planet's environment. It showed the need to adopt a more rational criteria for the use of natural resources on a planetary scale. It also showed Earth's natural diversity, and the effect caused by human activity, specifically by the phenomenon of urbanization. Finally, exposed the huge consumption and waste production by Western society.
• Cities-Corners. A study about how cities are built. It included models about well known streets and building from the world (Picadilly Circus in London, Times Square or the Flatiron Building in New York City, La Pedrera in Barcelona, etc.) and maps showing how some cities grew. It also showed about the growing of megacities, like Bombay, Mexico City, Monterrey, Cairo or Istanbul.
• Warriors of Xi'an. An exhibition of Chinese funerary art, based on archaeological finds at the tombs of Qinshihuang and Yangling. Among the pieces displayed, there was an exhibit of terracotta warriors of Xi'an from the Qin Dynasty.