Glow Shenzhen work illuminates Singapore

At the Glow Shenzhen light festival held in Shenzhen from December 2023 through February 2024, many passersby were drawn to an interactive screen titled “Block Party” near Shenzhen Festival Avenue in central Futian District.

This interactive display brought public housing buildings in Singapore to life, responding to movements initiated by passersby. As individuals bent and twisted in front of the screen, gardens blossomed spontaneously across the building facades.

A person interacts with “Block Party” created by Singapore’s Plug & Play at the Glow Shenzhen light festival in Futian District on Dec. 27, 2023. Lin Songtao

Created by Singapore’s Plug & Play, “Block Party” symbolizes the intricate bond between humans and the environment. Through playful engagements, participants are called upon to take responsibility for our environment and a sustainable future.

The showcasing of the Singaporean light artwork in Shenzhen marked the commencement of a collaboration between the Glow Shenzhen festival and the i Light Singapore festival.

At the ongoing i Light Singapore, Glow Shenzhen is introducing Chinese artist Xu Dongliang’s “Pure Ring” to Singaporean audiences. Positioned in a square, “Pure Ring” comprises a massive ring constructed from 44 illuminated seats that change colors as individuals occupy them, fostering serendipitous encounters among its users.

People relax on Chinese artist Xu Dongliang’s “Pure Ring” in Singapore during the i Light Singapore festival being held through June 23. Photos from Glow Shenzhen unless otherwise stated

This contemporary interpretation of musical chairs encourages unexpected connections among strangers and serves as a charming celebration of human interaction. In Singapore, numerous residents and tourists were seen either reclining on the ring or engaging with its interactive features.

People relax on Chinese artist Xu Dongliang’s “Pure Ring” in Singapore during the i Light Singapore festival being held through June 23.

Inaugurated in 2010, i Light Singapore showcases light art installations employing energy-efficient lighting or eco-friendly materials to promote the adoption of sustainable practices in daily life. In its 10th edition this year, the festival runs from May 31 to June 23 at Marina Bay, unveiling 17 artworks created by 25 artists globally.

Since its inception in 2020, Glow Shenzhen has exhibited nearly 900 artworks from 18 countries and regions, offering a diverse array of 300 activities to engage visitors and infuse vitality into public spaces within the city. As a grand light carnival, Glow Shenzhen has effectively leveraged the city’s prominent business districts and shopping centers to enhance the nighttime economy.

Now, Glow Shenzhen and i Light Singapore have solidified their collaboration with a memorandum of cooperation, aiming to bolster exchange platforms and foster deeper partnerships in exhibitions and brand promotions.