Latest news with #YukoNagayama
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Cartier Women's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan
The Women's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka was conceived by Yuko Nagayama, a renowned Japanese architect, reusing the facade of the Japan Pavilion from Expo 2020 Dubai that she had also designed. Victor Besa / The National
The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
From UAE to Japan: Women's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has roots in Dubai's world's fair
Japan's crowd-pleasing pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has been transported from the Middle East to the Far East to wow visitors five years on at the latest world's fair in Osaka. The white origami-inspired structure has been repurposed as the Women's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, serving to build on the strong cultural connections between the past two event hosts. The translucent membrane-like structure that combines both Japanese and Middle Eastern geometric patterns was among the most popular sites of the Dubai Expo. The geometric motifs were reassembled by a renowned Japanese architect into the Women's Pavilion to forge a link between two global expositions in the UAE and Japan. 'I wanted to express Japanese reality as it is for our generation, as our consciousness is not entirely immersed in Japan. We are a global mix and a distinct kind of Japanese-ness has arisen from that mix,' said Yuko Nagayama, who conceived both the Japan pavilion at the Dubai Expo and the Osaka project that tells stories of women, empowerment and gender equality. People can take a pause in our Japanese garden which is a quieter space and look at the expo below Emmanuelle Begue, Cartier Women's Pavilion deputy lead A stunning example of adaptive architecture, the facade that drew millions in Dubai has been reutilised in Osaka and is drawing curious visitors once again. Ms Nagayama said she designed it merging traditional Arabesque and Japanese patterns to reflect the connections with cultures of the Middle East. Tradition mixed with modernity At the Osaka Expo that opened in April, the remodelled pavilion sits beside the world's largest wooden ring that encircles hundreds of national pavilions. About 10,000 steel rods and ball joints were given a new lease of life and reassembled at the new site in Japan to inspire others to conserve and recycle. The origami cubes that knit into a tightly-closed frame at the Dubai Expo have opened up in Osaka almost like windows looking over the Expo site. 'We saw this as a great opportunity to show the potential of reusing material,' said Ms Nagayama. The facade draws inspiration from Japanese kumiko woodwork, a traditional technique that assembles thin slats of timbre without using nails. 'I hope the Women's Pavilion will be a starting point, and eventually the issues that women face will be resolved and the next generation will no longer need a separate pavilion,' she said. Core message Instead of water bodies that surrounded the pavilion in Dubai, green spaces have been created by replanting shrubs and plants from the mountains surrounding Kansai and Osaka. The play of light and shade on the origami exterior lends it a different feel when lit up at night and under the glare of the sun. The core message is a call for a bright future with mutual respect in which everyone, irrespective of gender, has the opportunity to reach their full potential and live together in harmony. 'The idea to use plants is about nurturing so people can take a pause in our Japanese garden which is a quieter space and look down over at the expo below,' said Emmanuelle Begue, the Cartier Women's Pavilion venue deputy lead. 'We want people to browse and get immersed in the experience.' Once the Expo ends, the plants and trees will be replanted in a forest outside Osaka. The Women's Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier is a project of Japan's Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. The idea of a women's pavilion dates back to the Expo 1873 Vienna as a powerful expression for women to converge, showcase their work, ideas and highlight their rights. At Osaka, the pavilion seeks to stimulate the senses with canvas, stone and plant art work using storytelling to amplify the voices of women, train the spotlight on their contributions and empower the next generation. Visitors can select various paths, watch a series of video and audio messages from women lawyers, activists, artists, entrepreneurs and leaders. 'You can listen to a woman who explains what it is like being a refugee and coming from a country at war, the women talk about the environment, the challenges we face, there are so many different layers,' Ms Begue said. 'We are working on the theme of togetherness and want everyone to feel involved.' Award-winning British artist Es Devlin, the global artistic lead of the Women's Pavilion, said the focus was on their transformative power. Ms Devlin had conceptualised the UK pavilion at the Dubai Expo where visitors were asked to contribute a word and the text was broadcast across a massive wooden conical structure. 'I've always viewed World Expos as a collection of unique musical instruments, where each pavilion sings and reverberates well beyond its initial six-month lifespan,' Ms Devlin said in a bulletin on women released by the BIE, the organisation that supervises the World Expos. She said the stories shared in Osaka would engage visitors as 'facts are far more effective when they are felt.' 'I feel the impact could be immense as the pavilion really has the ability to touch, reach and make a difference. The pavilion is for all. It's using the word woman as a lens to explore specific challenges and to celebrate specific achievements.' Plans for parts of the structure to have a life beyond the two expos are being worked out. The pavilion has more than 150 programmes and workshops around gender, art, culture, financial education scheduled through to October.
Emirates Woman
16-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates Woman
The Cartier women's pavilion returns—with a global call for female innovators in 2026
In a world where women continue to break barriers, Cartier stands as a steadfast advocate for female leadership, creativity, and innovation. Following the resounding success of the Cartier Women's Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, the luxury maison is once again making waves, this time at Expo 2025 Osaka, with a powerful message: When Women Thrive, Humanity Thrives. For Emirates Woman, a publication deeply rooted in celebrating the achievements of women in the UAE and beyond, this initiative resonates profoundly. After all, Dubai's Expo 2020 was a landmark moment, showcasing how women are driving global progress, and Cartier's Pavilion was a jewel in that crown. Now, as the torch passes to Osaka, the legacy continues with even greater ambition. A pavilion designed for impact Cartier's Women's Pavilion isn't just an exhibition – it's an immersive experience, a call to action, and a celebration of female ingenuity. Designed in collaboration with renowned Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, the structure itself is a testament to sustainability, incorporating repurposed materials from Expo 2020 Dubai, It's a symbolic bridge between past and future. Inside, visitors embark on a journey curated by global artistic lead Es Devlin, where intimate personal stories from trailblazing women, like filmmaker Naomi Kawase, actress Mélanie Laurent, and artist Mariko Mori, intertwine with larger global narratives. The Pavilion doesn't just tell stories; it invites you to become part of them, encouraging donations of names to weave individual identities into its collective narrative. The Cartier Women's Initiative: fueling female-led change At the heart of Cartier's mission is the Cartier Women's Initiative (CWI), an annual international program that has, since 2006, awarded $12 million in funding to 330 women entrepreneurs across 66 countries. This year, the initiative's Impact Awards Ceremony will take place at the Pavilion on May 22, 2025, spotlighting nine extraordinary women whose businesses are solving some of the world's most pressing challenges. The Cartier Women's Initiative at Expo 2025 Fittingly, the Cartier Women's Initiative, will also host its annual award ceremony this year at the World Expo. Every year, the initiative awards a group of female entrepreneurs who have developed businesses and/or products that work to solve global challenges through sustainable social and environmental impact. Since 2006, the CWI has supported 330 entrepreneurs across 66 countries, providing more than $12 million in financial support to their businesses. Applications for the 2026 CWI edition will open on 18 April, 2025, with awards across nine regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, and a special Science & Technology Pioneer Award. Thirty fellows will be selected and celebrated at a ceremony in Thailand in 2026. Meet the 2025 CWI Awardees: Tracy O'Rourke (Ireland) – Revolutionizing energy efficiency for businesses. Kresse Wesling (United Kingdom) – Transforming fire hoses and scrap leather into luxury goods. Kristin Kagetsu (India) – Creating biodegradable sanitary pads from banana fiber for women in India. Caitlin Dolkart (Kenya) – A subscription-based emergency response service in Kenya. Namita Banka (India) – Sustainable sanitation solutions converting waste into compost. Yvette Ishimwe (Rwanda) – Providing clean water access across Africa. Rama Kayyali (Jordan) – Digital Arabic learning tools for K-12 students. Mariam Torosyan (Armenia) – An AI-powered app combating gender-based violence. Jackie Stenson (India) – Distributing life-improving agricultural tech in rural India. These women exemplify the spirit of the Pavilion, proving that when women lead, the world benefits. 'Living Together, Designing Together, For the Future' The Pavilion's motto encapsulates its three core themes: 'Living Together' (ともに生き) – Exploring how communities thrive through environmental harmony. 'Designing Together' (ともに輝く) – Envisioning a future where diversity fuels collective potential. 'For the Future' (未来へ〜) – A space for forward-thinking dialogue, honoring past wins while forging new paths. As June Miyachi, President & CEO of Cartier Japan, beautifully states, 'What can each of us do to thrive together, irrespective of gender? I hope the Women's Pavilion serves as a catalyst for visitors to feel, think, and act toward a brighter future.' Women's Pavilion Global Artistic Lead Es Devlin & Architect Yuko Nagayama Why this matters for Dubai, and the world? Though the Pavilion now shines in Osaka, its roots trace back to Dubai's groundbreaking Expo 2020, where Cartier first showcased the monumental impact of women. For a city that champions female leadership, from government to entrepreneurship, this initiative feels like a natural extension of the UAE's vision. As Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy, notes, 'Through this extraordinary platform, Cartier and Expo 2025 Osaka invite visitors to be part of a transformative journey—equally personal and collective.' A legacy in motion Cartier has long drawn inspiration from women, not just as muses, but as architects of change. The Women's Pavilion is more than an exhibit; it's a movement, a dialogue, and a blueprint for equality. For those who witnessed its Dubai debut, the Osaka iteration is a thrilling next chapter. And for those who haven't? It's a reminder: The future is female – and it's being designed, right now, by visionary women worldwide. The Cartier Women's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is open from April 13 to October 13, 2025. Read more at – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram & Feature Image: Cartier
South China Morning Post
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Style Edit: Cartier's Women's Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka, designed by Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama and English artist Es Devlin, is a call to action for global gender equality
If there's one place to be in 2025, it's Expo 2025 in Osaka, running from April 13 to October 13, where Cartier is making a statement with the Women's Pavilion. More than an exhibition, it's a conversation – a space where stories, ideas, and actions converge to spotlight the role of women in shaping a better future. Cartier has long championed the belief that when women thrive, the world thrives. That ethos fuels the Women's Pavilion, which first made waves at Expo 2020 in Dubai and now returns to Osaka with even greater purpose. With a nod to the expo's theme, the pavilion embraces the motto 'Living Together, Designing Together, For the Future', celebrating the power of women to drive meaningful change. Cartier's Women's Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka. Photo: Handout Advertisement Designed by Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama, the pavilion's facade is inspired by ancient kumiko patterns, symbolising sustainability and craftsmanship. Step inside, and the experience becomes an immersive journey as imagined by British artist Es Devlin. Through evocative and interactive installations, visitors are invited to engage with real-life stories, and participate in the global dialogue on gender equality. As a gesture of solidarity, guests can put their names to the pavilion's narrative, making themselves part of a movement intended to well extend beyond the event. Cartier's Women's Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka was designed by Japanese architect Yuko Nagayama and English artist Es Devlin. Photo: Handout Nature plays a vital role in shaping the experience, with landscape designer Toshiya Ogino curating a garden that will evolve with Japan's changing seasons. This lush, living installation reinforces the pavilion's commitment to harmony between people, progress and the environment. That leads also to another intended legacy with the replanting of the installation's locally sourced trees in Osaka's mountains to contribute to a spirit of renewal and responsibility. The sculpture garden at Cartier's Women's Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka. Photo: Handout Fashion, too, has its place in the story, with renowned designer Chitose Abe crafting gender-inclusive uniforms for the pavilion's attendants. Merging tradition with modernity, Abe's designs embody the pavilion's inclusive and forward-thinking ethos. Interior of Cartier's Women's Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka. Photo: Handout Art is at the heart of the pavilion, with contributions from visionaries like Naomi Kawase, Mélanie Laurent, Hiro Chiba and Mariko Mori, spanning film, sculpture, digital art and photography. Beyond the visual, the WA Space is a hub where thought leaders, activists and innovators can discuss the issues that matter – from climate action, to the future of business and technology.
