The opening ceremony of the Lingnan Arts Biennale at The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon.
Dr Patrick Wong Chi-kwong, Chairman of the Court of Lingnan University, delivers a speech.
Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University, said in his opening speech “Inspired by the concept of metamorphoses from Zhuangzi’s philosophy and Western creative evolution, the Lingnan Arts Biennale transforms the campus and society into a multidimensional artistic space that showcases the fusion of traditional humanities and arts with modern technology. This Biennale also aligns with Lingnan University’s development as a leading liberal arts research university, comprehensive in both arts and sciences in the digital era. We want our students not only to master technological tools, but also to develop an understanding of the world through artistic and humanistic perspectives. The University will continue to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration in both the humanities and the latest technologies, and to nurture research, interdisciplinary knowledge and creative thinking.”
Dr Patrick Wong Chi-kwong, Chairman of the Court of Lingnan University, expressed his gratitude to the artists and students, saying “Since its inception in 2021, the Lingnan Arts Biennale has fostered dialogue between the arts, humanities, and technology. This year’s theme, ‘Metamorphoses’, reflects the transformations of the digital era, encouraging the audience to rethink the relationship between humans and the world through art. We hope that owing to the many artistic creations and performances, the public will see how innovative technology and humanistic arts can coexist and inspire one another. This event also brings together artistic talents from within and beyond the University, demonstrating the Faculty of Arts’ commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and creative education.”
The Lingnan Arts Biennale will host activities at West Kowloon and on their campus, and the splendid opening performance features Hong Kong’s Theatre de la Feuille, renowned for storytelling through physical theatre, present “The Fates of Mountains and Rivers”. This contemporary production skilfully integrates the Eastern and Western performing arts with multimedia stagecraft vividly interpreting the imaginative origins of life found in the ancient “Chinese Classic of Mountains and Seas”, also known as “Shanhai jing”.
Another highlight is the Cantonese opera “Xiqu Toy Story” on 27 October, about the encounter between traditional Cantonese opera toys and AI robots. Famous Artistic Director Prof Yuen Siu-fai‘s creative team blends old and new elements to guide audiences through an entertaining and uniquely Chinese story of playful mischief, whose captivating dialogue between past and future offers a fresh artistic experience.
As an extension of the Xiqu Toy Story performance, Prof Victor Shin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University, will host a public symposium on 5 November, where the production team and Prof Li Siu-leung, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University, explore the humanistic concerns, technological applications, and ethical considerations of the performance. It will examine the significance and limits of integrating technology into traditional opera, as well as the potential and challenges of AI in preserving traditional arts and projecting humanistic values.
The closing event, “Joy of Metamorphoses”, will take place on 13 November, and includes the curator, music director, choreographer, guest artists, and students from courses offered by the Wong Bing Lai Music and Performing Arts Unit at Lingnan University, presenting a delightful blend of traditional and contemporary performing arts. The performance celebrates transformation and renewal, and reflects the festival’s theme, leaving the audience stimulated by the powers of creativity and cultural dialogue.
About the Lingnan Arts Biennale 2025
Date: Friday, 24 October 2025 to Thursday, 13 November 2025
Cantonese Opera - Xiqu Toy Story
Date: Monday, 27 October 2025
Time: 19:30
Venue: Chan Tak Tai Auditorium, Lingnan University
Admission: Free
Introduction: Presented by the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, Xiqu Toy Story is dedicated to the revival of Cantonese opera, a traditional form of Chinese theatre, emphasising its consistent humanistic spirit and innovative nature. The production deconstructs and adapts traditional performance elements such as characters and storylines from the classic opera “The Romance of the Phoenix Chamber” and the well-known Cantonese aria “A Barbarian’s Song from the Northern Land”. It also addresses contemporary issues related to generative artificial intelligence (AI) and creativity, presenting the contemporary relevance of Cantonese opera to audiences of different ages and social backgrounds.
Public Symposium - Playtime: A Seminar on the Nexus of Tradition and Innovation through Xiqu Toy Story
Date: Wednesday, 5 November 2025
Time: 16:00-17:30
Venue: Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery, 2/F, Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University
Admission: Free
Participants: Prof Li Siu-leung, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University, Musette Tsang, Creative Director of the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, Henry Cheng, Chief Executive Director of the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation, and Prof Victor Shin, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cultural Studies at Lingnan University
Introduction: Lingnan University has invited the Xiqu Toy Story production team and scholars in related cultural studies to explore the humanistic, technological, and ethical issues in the performance together. When AI, with its extraordinary learning and generative abilities, rapidly assimilates traditional Cantonese opera knowledge and techniques, does this indicate the rebirth of a traditional art form, or the dilution and erosion of humanistic values such as originality and emotional expression? How can we use technology to preserve culture? The symposium will take contemporary Chinese opera’s development and evolution as a case study to discuss how AI can assist humanity in preserving traditional arts and related values.
Immersive Musical Performance - Joy of Changes
Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025
Time: 19:00
Venue: Leung Fong Oi Wan Art Gallery, 2/F, Patrick Lee Wan Keung Academic Building, Lingnan University
Admission: Free
Introduction: This performance has been created by the curator, music director, choreographer and expressive arts therapist, guest artists, and students from courses at Lingnan University’s Wong Bing Lai Music and Performing Arts Unit. By integrating creative expression, improvisation, community music, and arts therapy, it generates a reflective shared musical space. In Chinese characters, the word for “music” shares the same character as “joy”, and “Joy of Changes” strengthens this joyful dimension. The performance focuses on connecting self, environment, and community through music.
Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Scientific Computing at Lingnan University, delivers the welcome speech.
Public Symposium - Playtime: A Seminar on the Nexus of Tradition and Innovation through Xiqu Toy Story.
