Cartier, in collaboration with Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, presents the second edition of the Women’s Pavilion, continuing the legacy initiated at Expo 2020 Dubai. Rooted in the belief that “when women thrive, humanity thrives,” this initiative brings together a powerful curation of stories, architecture, data, and dialogue, aiming to catalyze change around gender equality and women’s empowerment on the world stage.
Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Cartier Culture and Philanthropy, highlights the pavilion’s role in addressing the widened gender gap post-COVID-19. June Miyachi, President & CEO of Cartier Japan, echoes this vision, underlining the significance of collective action and the vital message of the pavilion’s manifesto: “When women thrive, humanity thrives.“
The Women’s Pavilion calls for a world where all individuals coexist equally and contribute meaningfully to a shared future. Drawing inspiration from cultures and communities globally, it positions itself as a platform of legacy, dialogue, and transformation.
Aligned with SDG 5: Gender Equality, the pavilion is a continuation of Cartier’s broader commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of women through collaborations with UN Women, the Cartier Women’s Initiative, and the Unstereotype Alliance.
Walking Through Stories of Change
Architecture
Designed by Yuko Nagayama & Associates with Ove Arup & Partners Japan, the Women’s Pavilion features a repurposed Kumiko-inspired facade originally seen at Expo 2020 Dubai. The structure integrates sustainable practices such as the use of Clean-Crete, electric furnace steel, and the PROMIE system, cutting CO2 emissions by up to 60%.
Exhibition
Curated by Es Devlin, the exhibition offers three pathways centered on the personal narratives of Banana Yoshimoto, Emi Mahmoud, and Xiye Bastida. Visitors are immersed in their stories through audiovisual installations, culminating in the contemplative space “Ma” and the data-driven “Puzzle Box.”
Highlights
- Banana Yoshimoto reflects on gender and resilience.
- Emi Mahmoud shares her journey as a poet and activist, highlighting the transformative power of education.
- Xiye Bastida emphasizes the intersection of climate justice and gender equality.
The journey concludes with “Your Hand,” a participatory installation where guests receive messages of hope from 14 global changemakers, including Ramla Ali, Mariam Torosyan, and Shani Dhanda.
Second Floor: Artistic Expressions
Curated by Mélanie Laurent, the second floor features “Whispers on Leaves,” a collaboration with Hiro Chiba, and a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Ophelia as a symbol of resilience.
Since proposing her concept for the Japan Pavilion in 2018, architect Yuko Nagayama envisioned reusing materials and designing a setting for meaningful dialogue. The second floor of the current pavilion now features the “WA Space,” a dedicated area for exchange and conversation inspired by the majlis from Expo 2020. This space reflects and realizes a vision first imagined years earlier, now brought to life across two consecutive World Expos.
All images courtesy of © Cartier.
