The next zone gives way to a vast space with a spiral path, a nine-metre-high illuminated fabric tree made by Belarusian artist Hristina Vysotskaya sprouts from its centre. All done by hand, the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ is spun of yarn, rope, threads and cotton in various shades of blue, and red from where the trunk is split open. This non-living entity comes bearing fruits – the innovations of the up and coming generation hanging from its woolly branches. “The tree symbolises the motherland [Belarus], and young people draw from its energy to create,” said the guide. Belarusian students’ ‘fruits of labour’ are on display at the foot of the installation anchored in the Expo subthemes of Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity.
Clint Egbert/Gulf News