Guangming Culture and Art Center marks fifth anniversary

Guangming Culture and Art Center marked its fifth anniversary Sunday by unveiling new programs in four series: public art, classic performances, themed exhibitions, and public-benefit events.

A pool outside Guangming Culture and Art Center. Photos courtesy of Guangming Culture and Art Center 

Outdoor installations include Gao Shaokang’s “Hi Five! A Bright” and Oamul’s works titled “Traveling Through the Seasons.” The performance lineup features the opera "La Traviata;" Cantonese opera "The Legend of Love in the Bamboo Grove"; the West End musical "The Lion Inside"; the Chinese-language musical "Letter from a Fan"; and the drama "The Big Mansion."

The opera "La Traviata."

A science-art show, "Unwritten Colors," uses microscopic imagery to explore new possibilities in color expression, while the exhibition "The Quintet of Light" honors behind-the-scenes contributors to the center’s progress.

Oamul’s solo show "By the Window, the World Dances" examines time and life with imaginative visuals, and "Falling into Qilililiss’ Rabbit Hole" offers a fantastical visual journey.

The center will also run accessible programs such as the "Live in Life" concert series, museum concerts, and special film seasons to broaden community reach.

An arch leading to the plaza in front of the center.

Operator Overseas Chinese Town (OCT) Culture Development Co., Ltd. has formed partnerships with four leading domestic performance companies — the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, Oriental Performing Arts Group, Shanghai Ballet, and Beijing Peking Opera Company — to bring classic and original works to the venue. Planned offerings include China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater’s ballets "Tang Yin" and "Confucius"; musicals and dance dramas from Oriental Performing Arts Group; Shanghai Ballet’s "The Lily" and a ballet version of "The Phantom of the Opera"; and Peking opera productions "Shajiabang" and "The Monkey King."

Visitors at Guangming Culture and Art Center.

From September to December the center will host a “Science Lessons in the Concert Hall” series, with seminars on topics such as new energy solutions, finding a scientific career, and the biology of mosquitoes.

Resident artist Hu Shenyuan, founder of Shenzhen Contemporary Dance Company, reflected on five years of residency and announced that his studio’s original dance drama "The Reunion of Oasis" — inspired by a Tang-dynasty Dunhuang envoy mission — will tour Hong Kong and Macao.

Visitors attend an exhibition at Guangming Culture and Art Center on Sunday.

Since opening, the center has staged 416 premium performances and 61 exhibitions, hosted more than 30 domestic and international professional troupes and over 800 artists, and welcomed more than 3 million visitors.