Chrome and glass Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) chairs, a saxophone with keys in the outline of the Shanghai skyline, trendy street furniture, one-person vehicles, a trash can that follows you. All are part of the brainy exhibition "Imagination of Expo 2010" through January 10.The show of around 230 art and design pieces and urban blueprints is underway at the Shanghai Museum of Art, exploring the Expo theme "Better City, Better Life."It's an idea exhibition not only to enjoy, but to make you think.There's thought-provoking modern art, sculpture, poster art, "green" designs, futuristic, eco-friendly fashion, urban sculpture, transport for individuals and other brainchildren of creative thinkers.The works in the fine art and design exhibition are selected from among 500 pieces created by teachers and students from 20 Chinese art and design academies.Organizers hope the exhibit will encourage more people to get involved in all kinds of designs for the Expo in Shanghai.The Expo theme of making modern cities more livable and people-friendly, "Better City, Better Life," prompts artists to explore the relationship between the city and countryside, man and nature.For example, the background of posters created by Huang Yanhua features forests and paddy fields superimposed on high rises and other buildings.Some of the works are being implemented on the Expo site, some are models, some concepts, says Zhu Guorong, president of the Shanghai Artists' Association. "We are encouraging artists' and designers' creativity to reflect the Expo theme."The works touch every corner of life.Students and teachers from East China Normal University are concerned about environmental protection, since more than 70 million visitors are expected the Expo over six months. Garbage will be an issue."My work is called 'E-Travel," says Yao Yi. "I designed a trash can that can accompany pedestrians. An infrared ray detects body heat and the mobile bin moves along with the crowd. The trash can will remind them to throw their litter into it and follow them for five to 10 seconds."Although this "follow you" trash can is only an idea at this stage, Yao is confident it will appear on the street in the near future."We are not only keen on the creativity of the design itself, but its feasibility in real life as well," says Zhu. "This is an intriguing exhibition, as reality is fused with imagination."