The University of Lincoln Architecture Society presents a free guest lecture by artist Wolfgang Buttress, winning designer of the United Kingdom Pavilion at the World Expo, Milan 2015.
Time: Tuesday 10th February at 6pm
Location: AAD0W25
The theme of the Milan Expo, which runs from 1st May – 31st October 2015 is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It will be the world’s largest ever event exploring food and nutrition – a global showcase of the best technologies designed to help guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone.
Artist Wolfgang Buttress led a team of industry experts – including fashion designer Paul Smith and specialist engineer Simmons Studio – which won the bid to design a beehive-like structure for the UK pavilion at the exhibition.
Titled BE, the “pulsating virtual hive” was designed to call attention to the plight of the honeybee, highlighting the important role of honeybees play in food production. The team hopes that it will help bring visitors closer to the British landscape and inspire ways to help solve the dying honeybee populations.
Winning artist Wolfgang Buttress opened his first studio in Nottingham after graduating in 1987. Over the last 2 years he has won numerous national and international awards, including the International Structural Steel Award for projects under £2 million in 2013. Earlier this year he received the Kajima Gold Award in Japan for his work ‘Space’.
Speaking about the Milan Expo, Wolfgang Buttress said: “I’m happy and honoured that I have been selected for this prestigious commission. My wish is for visitors to engage with the UK Pavilion as a whole and for the hive to be recognised as a barometer for the health of the earth; drawing parallels between a hive and human society.”
Staff, students and members of the public are invited to join the University of Lincoln Architecture Society for this unique opportunity to hear from one of the country’s leading designers, as Wolfgang delivers an insight into the creation that will represent the UK in Milan.
Dr Amira Elnokaly, Programme Leader for MSc Sustainable Architectural Design at the University of Lincoln, said: “I am delighted that Wolfang Buttress will be presenting in the School of Architecture & Design, as the talk represents a great opportunity for our students. Over the past six years, our Lincoln Architecture lecture series has provided an important connection with the built environment industry and practice, and this event is another great example of that.”
For more information on Wolfgang Buttress visit: http://www.wolfgangbuttress.com