The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), has launched the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, the world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was previewed at the university's Clear Water Bay campus, showcasing works by international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses. The exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies, transforming the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.
The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This initiative exemplifies HKUST's commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies. Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, noted that the event signifies a major milestone in the university's pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. She highlighted that the national 15th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong's development as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange, and that the HKSAR Government's 2024 Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development outlines plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective.
Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated that SURREALITY is not only the world's first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition but also a showcase of the strengths of both campuses in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. Under the 'One HKUST, Complementary Campuses' framework, artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions have contributed, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the fusion of virtual and real. The digital 'Portal' connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents a forward-looking model of educational collaboration.
The exhibition features nearly 50 works by over 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong. At the Clear Water Bay campus, 19 selected works premiered, with MR-enhanced creations transforming the campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. Visitors can explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind. Highlights include The Gate, a metaverse-based piece that allows visitors to traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, embodying the 'One HKUST, Complementary Campuses' vision. Another featured work, Kunpeng, depicts a giant fish leaping from Port Shelter and transforming into a soaring roc. The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system symbolizing interdependence.
The exhibition also features an MR recreation of GFP Bunny by Prof. Eduardo KAC, a renowned contemporary artist, which sparks reflection on genetic modification and bioethics. Other works include Echoes of Earth 2.0 by PhD student ZHANG Yishuai, offering a perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations; Astra by Eliza MCNITT, a Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner; and Mother's Body Remembers by Benedict YU, using LiDAR and tactile interaction. The HKUST XRIM Lab's Unfolding Touch enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between campuses. My Flower addresses Alzheimer's disease challenges, and The Cat Ghost narrates ancient Chinese-cat relationships.
Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor at HKUST and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity, explained that SURREALITY explores a new form of reality where virtual and physical are no longer distinct. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition prompts reflection on how technology reshapes humanity's understanding of reality. The event includes artists like Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, Katerina SEMENKO, and Dr. Adam NASH, fostering cross-regional cultural exchanges. This exhibition underscores HKUST's role in advancing interdisciplinary integration and cultural mobility, aligning with its Strategic Plan 2031 to integrate innovation and the humanities.
