"Interdisciplinary Innovation Powers 'Roll Up the Earth' Natural Art Season at SZTU"

On December 4, the "Roll Up the Earth" Natural Art Season, guided by the Pingshan District Government’s Publicity Department and co-organized by the School of Design and Innovation and the College of Future Technology at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), China Resources Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd., and Dachuan Digital Culture, launched at the Pingshan Exhibition Hall in Shenzhen. Centered on the themes of "ecology + culture," the event debuted four parallel exhibitions. Among them, Journey of Material Spirits—a showcase meticulously curated by SZTU faculty and students—officially opened to the public.            

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Deng Yandong, Standing Committee Member of the Pingshan District Committee and Deputy District Governor; Liu Qingxia, Dean of the College of Future Technology at SZTU and Academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; Huo Yuda, Dean of the School of Design and Innovation at SZTU; as well as representatives from Shenzhen Art Museum, Pingshan District Publicity Department, Pingshan Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau, Shenzhen Ecology and Environment Bureau Pingshan Branch, local subdistricts, Pingshan Cultural Cluster venues, China Resources Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Young Artists Association, Shenzhen Experience Design Association, Dapeng Ocean Library, Mangrove Foundation, and other organizations.

The event highlights a fusion of ecological awareness and cultural creativity, positioning art as a catalyst for sustainable dialogue. Journey of Material Spirits features interdisciplinary works by SZTU students, reimagining natural materials and digital media to explore humanity’s relationship with the environment. This collaboration between academia, government, and industry underscores Shenzhen’s commitment to fostering innovation-driven cultural initiatives.

Speech by Deng Yandong, Standing Committee Member of the Pingshan District Committee and Deputy District Governor

Deng Yandong, Standing Committee Member of the Pingshan District Committee and Deputy District Governor, stated in his speech: In recent years, under the strong leadership of the District Committee and District Government, Pingshan has vigorously advanced the "Cultural District Strengthening" strategy, aiming to build an eastern cultural and tourism hub. The "Roll Up the Earth" Natural Art Season is a highly creative and profound cultural feast that aligns perfectly with Pingshan’s unique urban environment of "half landscape, half city." We are delighted to collaborate with Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), partner with local subdistricts and the Pingshan Cultural Cluster, and receive strong support from all sectors of society. In the future, we welcome greater participation from SZTU faculty and students, leveraging the innovative power of interdisciplinary approaches to provide more theoretical and technical support for urban development.

Speech by Liu Qingxia, Chair Professor of Shenzhen Technology University, Dean of the College of Future Technology, and Academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering

Liu Qingxia, Chair Professor of Shenzhen Technology University, Dean of the College of Future Technology, and Academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, remarked in his speech: The College of Future Technology at SZTU is honored to be one of the organizers of this event, which reflects the recognition from all sectors of society for our efforts in building a new innovation ecosystem through education, research, and industry incubation. This event, themed around "Roll Up the Earth" Natural Art, explores the relationship between humans and ecosystems from diverse and multidimensional perspectives, closely aligning with our college’s educational philosophy. Through this innovative exhibition, we hope to inspire students to pay greater attention to and participate in ecological and environmental protection, stimulate the vitality of technological innovation, and contribute to building a sustainable society.

Speech by Huo Yuda, Dean of the School of Design and Innovation at Shenzhen Technology University

Huo Yuda, Dean of the School of Design and Innovation at Shenzhen Technology University, expressed in his speech: The School of Design and Innovation has always responded to SZTU’s mission of cultivating research-oriented technical talents, striving to nurture a new generation of designers with a strong sense of social responsibility, environmental awareness, and technological innovation. We advocate addressing societal pain points by fostering empathy and using design wisdom to solve problems, thereby promoting the well-being of society. We believe this exhibition is not only a platform for showcasing and exchanging creative works but also an opportunity to convey the spirit and values of design. We hope this model of collaborative innovation can continue, contributing to Pingshan’s development and amplifying its voice. The philosophy of the School of Design and Innovation is "Creativity for Good, Design for All," and we encourage students to persist in creating good designs that serve the public!

Speech by Hu Zhen, Assistant General Manager of China Resources Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd.

Hu Zhen, Assistant General Manager of China Resources Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd., stated in his speech: This event integrates a love for nature and a relentless pursuit of art, presenting a unique ecological and artistic journey for everyone. We also extend our gratitude to the Pingshan Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports Bureau for their policy guidance and support, which has provided fertile ground for the seeds of art to flourish, allowing cultural confidence to take deep root in Pingshan, a city of innovation.

Shenzhen Technology University Exhibition Area Draws Massive Crowds

Guests and the creators of Journey of Material Spirits from Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) engaged in lively exchanges at the exhibition. Faculty and students from the School of Design and Innovation and the College of Future Technology at SZTU delved into interdisciplinary innovation and comprehensive social design practices, both within and beyond the Design Thinking and Expression course. Through the language of design, they explored the relationship between humans and ecological nature, focusing on urban ecological species and their habitats, while advocating for the concept of biodiversity. This exploration gave birth to Journey of Material Spirits, a poetic and tangible expression of new reflections on ecological development in urbanization.

Student Creators of The Drunken Dinner Introduce Their Creative Concept

Leaders, scholars, and experts at the event eagerly interacted with students and faculty in the Journey of Material Spirits exhibition area, attentively listening to the students’ explanations of their creative concepts. They unanimously agreed on the need for more platforms to share research achievements from various disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary integration and jointly injecting innovative vitality into urban development.

Embark on a "Journey of Material Spirits"

How can we break free from a singular, fixed human perspective and rethink the relationships between humans and non-humans, as well as humans and nature?
How can we understand issues such as "biology and space" or "space and power"?
How can we find an ideal state of material continuity, diverse prosperity, and harmonious coexistence?

Highlights of the Journey of Material Spirits Exhibition

• Exploring      Non-Human Ecosystems
       The exhibition, themed around biology and space, aims to explore non-human      ecosystems within urban environments.

• Rethinking      Urbanization
       "Humans are both the creations of their environment and the creators      of their new environment." The exhibition invites audiences to      reconsider the future of ecological development in urbanization.

• The Flow      of Natural Education
       Presenting diverse perspectives from scholars across fields, the      exhibition specially features the natural education program at Shenzhen      Technology University Kindergarten, engaging children in discussions about      urban species.

Exhibit One: Step into the University Classroom of Design Thinking and Expression, Starting with Macro Narratives              

Exhibit Two: Reflecting on Space and Power from a Mammalian Perspective                      

Work Title: Tunnel Vision
Creators: Shang Xi, Liu Junpeng
Through an in-depth exploration of the world as seen through the eyes of rats, combined with field tests and literature research, this interactive installation simulates the black-and-white, blurry, and distorted visual experience of a rat’s perspective. With its engaging and playful approach, it invites participants to re-examine our cities from a different viewpoint.

         

Work Title: The Drunken Dinner
Creators: Chen Haoyin, Wu Jiahao
This dual-purpose device serves both as a trap for stray cats and a decorative piece for public spaces, designed to support TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs. By offering a gentler method of trapping stray cats, it encourages reflection on the issue of stray animals.

           

Work Title: A-B-A
Creators: Huang Yuting, Zhou Tingting
Using audio mixing equipment, this piece blends the sounds of Chinese white dolphins with the classic sections of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The life of the Chinese white dolphin is narrated through the piano melody of the Canon, with its repetitive rhythms and notes symbolizing the hope for the continuous survival and legacy of these dolphins across generations.

Exhibit Three: Exploring Biology and Space from a Reptilian Perspective            

Work Title: Gecko Stroll
Creators: Meng Dile, Chen Letian
"A gecko strolls lazily, but it swiftly devours mosquitoes, much like our precise dance moves." Through in-depth observation and research into the living environment and dietary habits of geckos, the creators experimented with various materials to reconstruct a "home" for the increasingly scarce geckos in urban areas.

           

Work Title: Coexisting with Snakes
Creators: Tang Yuxin, Zhang Kunjiao
The survival environment for snakes in cities is becoming increasingly harsh, with many snakes facing homelessness. This design addresses how to ensure their survival in urban settings by providing new shelters for homeless snakes while also safeguarding human safety.

Exhibit Four: Reflections on Humans and Nature from the Perspective of Birds          

Title: "The Heron Ignites the Cigarettes"

Creator: Ding Jinping, Ye Errou

"Give egrets' 'duckweeds' to reproduce the poetic picture of' fish turning over algae to learn, egrets lighting cigarettes'." The beautiful scene of people living in harmony with nature, seen by the ancients thousands of years ago, should not disappear in the process of urbanization. It is hoped that by designing a duckweed, egrets will once again fill the memory of countrymen.

           

Title of work: "The Ripple of the Dove"

Creator: Chen Yang zhuang Zedong

I chose to set up a pigeon coop in the city square because the square is a spiritual place for everyone, a natural place for exploration, and the heart of a city. We constantly explore the relationship between humans and pigeons from the square, searching for the most comfortable relationship and distance between humans and pigeons.

           

Title of work: 《Birdscony》

Creator: Huang Borui, Wen Kailin

This design is an extension of a bird watching platform, consisting of a bird watching room and a bird box. It aims to effectively solve the problem of urban bird nesting, bring people closer to birds, and enhance people's attention and awareness of bird protection. Add a touch of brightness to the urban landscape with a design that is full of natural beauty and harmony.

The 'Roll Up the Earth' natural art season will continue from today until March 2024, with more diverse and interesting themed activities and markets, making this art season a suitable urban art event for different groups to participate in.    

College of Creative Design&Future Technology, Shenzhen University of Technology

New Thoughts on Ecological Construction in Urbanization Development: Exhibition of "Journey of Things and Spirits" Works

Guidance unit

Pingshan District Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports

host

School of Creative Design, Shenzhen University of Technology

Future Technology College of Shenzhen University of Technology

China Resources Culture and Sports Development Co., Ltd. Pingshan Branch

Shenzhen Dachuan Digital Culture Co., Ltd

location

Fourth Floor, Pingshan Exhibition Hall, Shenzhen

opening ceremony

December 4, 2023

Academic host

Liu Mo, Li Huikang

curation

Lu Chuan

Curatorial Assistant

Li Yuyuan and Lu Yutong

Exhibition co creation

Xu Fuchai, Han Zhenyuan, Sun Wenyu