Lingnan Arts Biennale 2025 Opens: Exploring the Future of Traditional Arts and Culture Through Art and Technology
Hong Kong, 24 October 2025 – The Lingnan Arts Biennale 2025, themed “Metamorphoses,” officially commenced today at The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District. Organised by the Faculty of Arts at Lingnan University, the event brings together a diverse array of disciplines—including dance, opera, music, and digital arts—to explore the evolving relationship between life, technology, and culture. The biennale is a timely reflection on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies integrate with traditional artistic and cultural values, raising important questions about preservation and innovation in the digital age.
A Vision Rooted in Transformation
In his opening speech, Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) and Provost of Lingnan University, referenced the philosophical inspiration behind the biennale’s theme: the concept of metamorphoses from Zhuangzi’s ancient philosophy, alongside modern Western ideas of creative evolution. Prof Chan highlighted how the Biennale transforms both campus and society into a multidimensional artistic space where traditional humanities and arts intersect dynamically with modern technology.
“This Biennale aligns with Lingnan University’s commitment to becoming a leading liberal arts research institution that bridges arts and sciences,” Prof Chan said. “We want our students not only to master technological tools but also to develop a profound understanding of the world through artistic and humanistic perspectives. Our goal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and nurture creative thinking across humanities and the latest technologies.”
Dr Patrick Wong Chi-kwong, Chairman of the Court of Lingnan University, also expressed his gratitude towards participating artists and students. He emphasized that since its inception in 2021, the Lingnan Arts Biennale has actively promoted dialogue among arts, humanities, and technology. “This year’s theme ‘Metamorphoses’ reflects the profound transformation brought about by the digital era,” Dr Wong said. “Through these artistic creations, we hope the public will appreciate how innovative technology and humanistic arts can coexist and inspire one another.”
Showcasing Fusion of Tradition and Technology
The biennale’s opening performance features Hong Kong’s acclaimed Theatre de la Feuille, known for their physical theatre storytelling. Their production, The Fates of Mountains and Rivers, offers a vivid contemporary interpretation of life’s imaginative origins as described in the ancient Chinese classic Shanhai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas). This performance skillfully blends Eastern and Western performing arts with multimedia stagecraft, setting the tone for a festival steeped in both tradition and innovation.
A standout highlight is the Cantonese opera Xiqu Toy Story, scheduled for 27 October at the Chan Tak Tai Auditorium on the Lingnan University campus. Directed by renowned Artistic Director Prof Yuen Siu-fai, the production explores an imaginative encounter between traditional Cantonese opera toys and AI robots. This inventive narrative melds old and new elements, offering audiences a playful yet profound dialogue between past and future artistic expressions. The performance aims to revive interest in Cantonese opera by highlighting its timeless humanistic spirit alongside contemporary technological influences.
Public Symposium Explores Humanistic and Ethical Considerations of AI in Traditional Arts
On 5 November, Lingnan University will host a public symposium titled Playtime: A Seminar on the Nexus of Tradition and Innovation through Xiqu Toy Story. The event gathers the production team alongside scholars, including Prof Victor Shin and Prof Li Siu-leung from the Department of Cultural Studies, and representatives from the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation.
The symposium will delve into pressing questions about the integration of AI in traditional opera: Does AI’s ability to learn and generate performance techniques signal a renaissance or risks diluting humanistic values such as creativity and emotional expression? How can technology be harnessed to preserve cultural heritage without compromising its authenticity? This seminar promises to provoke thoughtful discussion on the potentials and challenges of blending technology with centuries-old arts.
Closing with a Celebration of Creativity and Renewal
The Lingnan Arts Biennale will conclude on 13 November with the immersive musical performance, Joy of Metamorphoses, held at the Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery in Lingnan University. Curated by a team including a music director, choreographer, and expressive arts therapist alongside guest artists and students, this performance integrates creative expression, improvisation, and arts therapy to cultivate a reflective communal musical experience.
Rooted in the Chinese character for “music,” which also conveys the meaning of “joy,” Joy of Metamorphoses aims to celebrate transformation and renewal. It emphasizes connection—between self, environment, and community—through the power of music, encapsulating the festival’s overarching theme of cultural dialogue and creative evolution.
Event Details
- Lingnan Arts Biennale 2025: 24 October – 13 November 2025 | The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District & Lingnan University Campus | Free admission
- Cantonese Opera – Xiqu Toy Story: 27 October 2025, 19:30 | Chan Tak Tai Auditorium, Lingnan University | Free admission
- Public Symposium – Playtime: A Seminar on Tradition and Innovation: 5 November 2025, 16:00–17:30 | Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery, Lingnan University | Free admission
- Immersive Musical Performance – Joy of Metamorphoses: 13 November 2025, 19:00 | Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery, Lingnan University | Free admission
About Lingnan University
Lingnan University is a leading liberal arts institution in Hong Kong committed to interdisciplinary education that integrates arts, sciences, and technology. The Lingnan Arts Biennale exemplifies the University’s dedication to fostering innovative research, preserving cultural heritage, and nurturing creative talents capable of addressing complex challenges in the digital age.
For more information, contact Lingnan University at [email protected] or visit their website.
This report is brought to you by Asia Research News.
