World Expo: Singapore's music-box for expo

The Singapore Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo is giving the country a new image. Shaped like a MUSIC BOX, and bearing the theme Urban Symphony, it takes the notion of symphony to mean balance and harmony.

A music box is a 19th century automatic musical instrument that produces an intoxicating melody. To capture the musical essence of their country at the 2010 Expo, Singapore will build their pavilion into the shape of a giant Music box. As one of the top 25 most vibrant global cities in the world, Singapore's expo theme is Urban Symphony. It is a tribute to how the country houses a delicate harmony of cultures coexisting together, much like the intricate details of a music box...

Singaporeans say their symphony is a harmony of progress and sustainability, urbanisation and greenery, tradition and modernity, and a cosmopolitan mix of different races living together peacefully. The pavilion designer says he had been twisting these concepts around in his head for quite some time. One day, he got inspiration from music.

To capture the musical essence of their country at the 2010 Expo, Singapore  will build their pavilion into the shape of a giant Music box.

Tan Kay Ngee, Singapore Pavilion Designer, said, "I think, lots of people don't know that we have lots of musicians, singers and playwrights, and all that. The musical box is very important because it's like something that you have to kind of interact with it. So you have to open it and you'll find surprises with that."