Expo Milano 2015: A travel between culture, identity and feeding the planet.

The UK Pavillion- designed by Wolfgang Buttress

Expo Milano 2015 was a mind blowing event that I was most fortunate to attend earlier this year in Milan, Italy. From May 1st to October 31st 2015, Milan was host to a global showcase of over 140 participating countries exhibiting the best of their technology in food sustainability.

Spanning 1.1 million square meters of exhibition area, the expo is a platform for the exchange of ideas and shared solutions on the theme of food, stimulating each country’s creativity and promoting innovation for a sustainable future.

Each country had designed and constructed a pavilion that can only be described as overwhelmingly awe-inspiring! Each structure made the perfect backdrop to display a wealth of innovative ideas on how to provide enough healthy and safe food for everyone in the future, while respecting our Planet and its equilibrium. 

The Expo 2015 is visited by hundreds of thousands of people who wish to sample the world’s best dishes and learn about the best of the agri-food and gastronomic traditions of each of the exhibitor countries. I personally couldn't get enough of the Dutch seaweed burger! I would have to say my least favourite was the farmed grass-hopper. Although they are one of the best sources of protein available!

My only disappointment was that Australia did not participate in this amazing Expo. Canada was also absent. Nevertheless It was a privilege to see almost every citizen of our planet come together to nurture a universal friendship, and to have the opportunity to experience other cultures, distant places and far way countries.

(Click on the links below each image to find out more about these amazing pavilions).

Enormous figures, “The Food People” (2015), by production designer Dante Ferretti

The Italian Pavilion! Designed by Studio Nemesi & Partners

Israel Pavilion designed by David Knafo

Slovakia Pavilion designed by Karol Kállay

Slovakia Pavilion designed by Karol Kállay

Czech Republic Pavilion designed by Chybik & Kristof Architects

Ecuador Pavilion designed by Zorrozua & Associates

Japanese Pavilion designed by Atsushi Kitagawara 

Russian Pavilion designed by Sergei Tchoban

                The UK Pavillion designed by Wolfgang Buttress

Baci Lovers Chocolate Pavilion

Inside Belgium's Pavilion designed by Patrick Genard

The Tree of Life designed by Alberto Dell Vita

New ventures for Sarah Woods

Stop the press!! News Flash!

Today's post comes with mixed emotions: a little sadness as our Artist in Residence Blogger Sarah Woods (A.K.A Steenland) is spreading her wings to fly to new pastures, but also a lot of happiness as she is following her biggest passion and launching a dream career in Illustration!!

Even though it's tough to say farewell, I do love an excuse for a party! 

Celebrate good times c'mon!

Let's all celebrate and have a party for Sarah!

I truly admire Sarah for having the courage to take a risk and leap into uncharted waters.

I wish her the ultimate success and hope she has a tremendous amount of fun along the way.

Sarah's is creating super, duper fun and exciting connect e-cards that can be sent to family, friends and loved ones for every occasion you can think of and more!

In addition, Sarah also offers her artistic hand and unique approach to assist those with an online business. Her eye-catching pictures are worth a 1000 words, and bring web content to life with an explosive visual element that truly stands out! 

This is such an exciting time for Sarah, please join me in wishing her well with all of your comments! 

To find out more about Sarah's new business and to receive a free weekly fortune cookie, check out her site by clicking on the cookie!

 Squeezed Daily is now my baby exclusively and I promise to continue to provide it with the best T.L.C possible!

There's going to be some awesome new content and cool changes coming your way - please stay tuned and watch this space! The best is yet to come!

.

All images by Sarah Steenland.

A Deep Underwater Love of Life, Art, Innovation and Wheelchair Ballet.

Following on from Sarah Woods '5 online resources for positive thinking in 2013', I would like to share a story of strength, courage and artistic adventure, that inspires me immensely and will no doubt inspire you to a great deal too.

Please allow me to introduce you to one incredible lady -

 Sue Austin.

Sue is a multimedia, performance and installation artist. She has used (what she  affectionately calls) a 'power' chair since 1996, but rather than allowing her circumstances to inhibit her art, it has become the driving force which fuels her ambition. 

Sue Austin is working to redefine the popular notion of disability with an invention that challenges preconceptions about the wheelchair. Not just the way it is viewed but also the way that it's used.

Along with the support of diving experts, Sue has created the world's first self-propelled wheelchair, equipped with clear fins that allow her to fly underwater.
 

 

With complete control, she gracefully hovers through the deep ocean, mingling with fish and gliding past coral reefs. 

 

"I can loop-the-loop. I can do amazing spirals. I can even fly along upside down"

As part of the Cultural Olympiad celebrations 2012, Sue performed a ground breaking series of stunning underwater acrobatics called 'Creating the Spectacle' to show off her under water art.  

 View Sue's inspirational story on TED 

Sue is also the founder and artistic director of Freewheeling, an initiative aiming to further the genre of Disability Arts.

In her art, she aims to convey the spirit of wonder she feels wheeling through the world. 
 

“The wheelchair became an object to paint and play with, it was exciting to see the interested and surprised responses from people. It seemed to open up new perspectives.”

Sue says “I call my wheelchair ‘portal’, because it’s pushed me through into a new level of awareness. For me it’s about finding creative solutions to barriers. I’ve become a completely different person.”  
 
   

Live * Love * Laugh 
Explore * Master * Defy

Design will save the world!

 

It is predicted we are entering a period of enlightenment, Sue is living proof we’re on the threshold of a new era that is literally being breathed and dreamed into existence.

With women like Ms. Austin in the world, perhaps we just might be!
 
Can you feel the incredible possibilities for a new world – and in your own life? 

Images courtesy of TED, References: TED Blog, Redbull, Mashable & Daily Mail U.K .

...Art for charity

I just received a lovely email from the gorgeous Louise (pictured above), founder of  

'a pot of tea under a tree clothing exchange' (and clothing label). A bunch of girls got together last Saturday afternoon to help raise money for the charity project futures and had a heap of fun at the same time. I was happy, I came home with some good stuff and didn't have to hide them from hubby, as I wasn't adding to my mountain of clothes, just swapped some instead!

My painting here (that was raffled) went to a good home, made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, that I could contribute to a worthy cause. So the money raised from the first two events so far are enough to free eight girls from sexual slavery, and that's an awesome result.

Here is the heart warming letter from Louise-

Dear Sarah,

I just wanted to write a quick e-mail to thank you.

Because of your big heart and wonderful generosity we've be able to make a

big difference in the lives of little girls in Cambodia. Your painting was extremely

thoughtful, beautiful and kind!

Together, we raised enough money to save another 4 girls from sexual slavery.

With March's Under a Tree Clothing Exchange and again on 

Saturday we've been able to impact 8 little girls and counting.

What a way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Once again, Thank you!

Regards, 

Louise and Under a Tree Clothing Exchange Girls xx

that will keep me warm over this freezing cold weekend.