Chinese artist's creation 'golden bridge' sparkle at Milan Expo

The giant sculpture entitled "Silk-Road on Golden Bridge", designed by Chinese artist Shu Yong, is seen at the Milan Expo, Italy, Sept. 28, 2015. The bridge sculpture inaugurated on Monday at Milan Expo is 28 meters long and made of 20,000 golden bricks the same size as those used to make the Great Wall of China. (Xinhua/Str.)

Mario Masciullo, an Italian guest who was invited to the exhibition of the structure on Monday, said the artist's works calls attention to the history of China and highlights the artist's appeal to revive the Silk Road trade routes.

It is not the first time for the artist, who works in many mediums in both Western and Chinese styles -- including panting, photography, sculpture, installation and performance art, to use his works to spread diplomatic and cultural messages to his audience.

In 2013, Shu built a wall named Google Bricks at the China Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. It was a wall made of 1,500 resin bricks. On each brick, he printed one popular Chinese web phrase along with their English translation by Google. By doing that, the artist tried to illustrate misunderstanding between Chinese and Western cultures.

At the 2010 Shanghai Expo, Shu presented "China Kung Fu", a huge square of 50 Bruce Lee-shaped red sculptures, each kicking a model of a world-famous landmark building, such as the Forbidden City, Eiffel Tower, and the British Museum.

After the "Golden Bridge" was selected to be displayed on Milan Expo, he has invited hundreds of Chinese and foreign people to sign their names on the bricks, sharing the best wishes for the interaction between East and West. In Milan, many Italians and visitors have volunteered to sign their names to show their support to the artist's goodwill creation.