The 4th Culture & Arts Festival "CATS" (Culture Arts Technology & Science), hosted by CUHK-Shenzhen and organized by the University Arts Centre, has unfolded a series of splendid events since its opening on October 12, 2024. By December 10, the main events had all successfully concluded, presenting audiences with a rich array of artistic and cultural delights. This year coincides with the 10th anniversary of CUHK-Shenzhen's establishment and the 5th anniversary of the founding of the University Arts Centre, adding special significance to the events.

A corner of the campus during the 4th Culture & Arts Festival

The planning of this Culture & Arts Festival was led by Professor Yangsheng Xu, President of CUHK-Shenzhen, aiming to build an interdisciplinary exchange platform through the fusion of art and technology, and cultivate new talents with cross-border collaboration capabilities. One of the highlights is the exhibition section, with the invited independent curator Iris Long curating the "Tangent Media" exhibition. It brings together interdisciplinary works of ten artists exploring global issues through new media, showcasing the innovative fusion of art and technology. Among them, artist Marco Barotti's dynamic sound sculpture "Clams" uses hydrophones and sensors to collect water quality data from the Fairy Lake on CUHK-Shenzhen's campus and converts it into music, exploring the relationship between the microscopic world and environmental sustainability. The satellite exhibition venue "Tangent Experiments" displays interdisciplinary experimental works by researchers, artists, faculty and students, promoting dialogue and collaboration across different fields.

"Tangent Media" Exhibition

The forum section delves into the impact of technology on artistic creation and dissemination. Expert teams engaged in vibrant discussions around related topics, providing valuable insights for the innovative development of culture and art. As for performances, IPNHK 2024, a collaboration with the International Poetry Festival Hong Kong, allowed audiences to appreciate poetry through virtual reality technology and engage in creative dialogues. The music performances also incorporated technological elements, creating a unique audiovisual experience for the audience.

Live music performances

This Culture & Arts Festival has received strong support from partners including the Pro Helvetia, the Hong Kong Poetry Festival Foundation, the Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Honor, and others. The "Tangent Media" exhibition will run until January 12, 2025. We sincerely invite people from all walks of life to jointly experience the fusion and interaction between technology and art in the context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to feel the infinite possibilities of literature and art.

Translated by University Arts Centre