Making designs on the future

By Wang Zhenghua (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-11 07:41

SHANGHAI -- The man behind the Shanghai World Expo mascot, a ubiquitous sight in the city, now plans to rope in thousands of youngsters to mark the 2010 event.

If Yoken Wu has his way, a total of 2,010 youngsters aged 10 or 20 from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao will meet in Shanghai to "enjoy a unique experience and feel the pride that their motherland will bring to them at the Expo".

"It will be great to see these young people visiting the Shanghai Expo hand in hand," Wu said last month.

"After 10 or 20 years, these youngsters will form the backbone of society. Some might become politicians. Then they can look back and cherish a very beautiful memory of the expo," the artist from Taiwan said.

A number of companies have reportedly shown interest in his initiative.

"The Chinese people have waited for more than a century and a half to hold a major global expo," Wu, 42, said.

"Like the Beijing Olympics, it is a matter of glory for all Chinese."

A native of Taiwan's Changhua county, Wu arrived in Shanghai in 2003, after a year of observing the mainland market in the coastal city of Dongguan, before opening his own studio.

His career reached a high last year when expo organizers launched a worldwide search for a mascot. They picked the one co-designed by Wu and another mainland artist from 26,655 entries.

Recalling the design process behind the mascot, Wu said it was a matter of being "bitten by the creative bug".

He actually drew the initial sketches of the mascot on a bill at a caf.

Now the image of the blue-colored Haibao is seen just about everywhere in Shanghai.

It will serve as a special ambassador to greet the 40 million tourists expected for the expo in 2010.

"No pain, no gain," said Wu, comparing his success to raising cattle.

"When I cultivate the grass, nobody notices. When the grass has grown and attracts cattle, people still don't notice. They only begin to pay attention when a herd of cattle is up and running. I told them the beef is tasty, but the initial process is really arduous."

With his newfound fame, Wu feels an obligation to give back to society.

He is also forging ahead with his dream of creating a Chinese cartoon character to rival Mickey Mouse in the US and Hello Kitty in Japan.

He plans to launch a new cartoon image next year.

"We will find a way to support the development of the local cartoon industry," he said.

Wu is also keen to promote cultural exchange between the mainland and Taiwan.

"I will make my parents proud through achievement in my work," he said.