Mysterious ebru

Location: Turkey Pavilion, Zone C of the Expo Park

Painting on water and then transferring the picture to a sheet of paper: Does it sound like an impossible task? At the Turkey Pavilion, you will have the chance to witness this magic in action.

An artist at the Turkey Pavilion displays ebru, the traditional Turkish art of paper marbling. [IC]

Murat Elhan, a 35-year-old artist, intrigues visitors to the pavilion with ebru, the traditional Turkish art of paper marbling. Elhan started learning the art when he was only four years old; both his father and grandfather are masters of this art.

As he dips colorful pigments randomly in water contained in a rectangular iron box, the pigments start to dissolve slowly. Then he takes out a very thin wooden stick to "draw" on the water. After a while, images of flourishing trees and blossoming flowers clearly appear on its surface. Then he covers the iron box with white paper. After 30 seconds, he lifts the paper to display a beautiful painting.

Amazing micro sculptures

Location: Russia Pavilion, Zone C of the Expo Park

A flock of camels inside the eye of a sewing needle and fleas wearing shoes – such sights may seem ridiculous. But if you go to the Russia Pavilion, you can see these amazing things with your own eyes.

Camels Inside a Needle-Eye, A Shoed Flea and The Christmas Tree are just a few of the 10 delicate pieces of micro-sculpture by the renowned Russian artist Vladimir Aniskin displayed in the pavilion. The tiny sculptures – which must be viewed with a microscope – have amazed many visitors. With the help of magnification, visitors can see a caravan of 0.1-mm-tall camels strolling in the desert at sunset inside the eye of a needle. As for the flea, the legs of the once-living insect have been fitted with horseshoes made of pigment using steel nails; the width of the horseshoes is a mere 0.05 mm. Several other equally stunning pieces are also on display. The artist said he sometimes employs horsehair and poppy seeds for his micro-art.

Camels inside a Needle-Eye