“Expo 2020” Sculpture Unveiled in Masdar City

Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 2, 2015 – Masdar employees, Masdar Institute students, and Masdar Free Zone tenants attended the unveiling yesterday of a 6-meter-tall Expo 2020 Dubai sculpture at Masdar City, one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments. H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, minister of state and chairman of Masdar, and Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, also witnessed the unveiling.

One of three large sculptures displayed in Abu Dhabi, the Finnish-born artist Kustaa Saksi created the Wi-Fi-enabled structure with screens illustrating three of the expo’s themes – sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

“We’re proud to host at Masdar City the Expo 2020 Dubai sculpture, a symbol of the progress we have made in the UAE and a reminder to continue persevering with our signature spirit of innovation,” said Dr. Belhoul. “Masdar’s work to forge local and international partnerships, accelerate sustainable development and provide new employment opportunities and diversified economic growth is a reflection of the expo’s themes.”

Connected to a 4G network, the sculpture provides detailed information about Expo 2020 Dubai’s history, while offering visitors an opportunity to learn about outstanding innovations and participating pavilions. The audience can also click through a separate interactive screen to become better informed about topics the expo will explore.

The artist, Kustaa Saksi, is a renowned illustrator who experiments with patterns, shapes and textures. His work has appeared in galleries across the globe, including London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, Artifact Gallery in New York and Louvre des Antiquaires in Paris.

Expo 2020 Dubai commissioned 21 sculptures that together make up the expo’s logo like a large puzzle. The public is encouraged to visit the sculpture, which will reside in front of Masdar City’s multi-use building until March 22, 2015.