In case you hadn't heard yet, this fall Shenzhen is set to welcome its first ever world-class design museum, Design Society, hosted in the Seaworld Culture and Arts Center being built along the coast of Shekou.
The futuristic new building was jointly commissioned by London's renowned V&A museum and China Merchants Group back in 2014, and appears well on its way to completion. Award-winning architect Fumihiko Maki is behind the asymmetric, modern design that boasts ample rooftop green spaces.
Design Society displays will be the result of a unique collaboration, with the V&A providing guidance and also touring exhibitions to be shown over the museum's first three years.
In fact, 250 objects drawn from the V&A's permanent collection will be the subject of a gallery entitled 'Values of Design.' It links artifacts spanning 31 countries and created over the last millenium in new and unexpected ways.
The museum's main gallery, on the other hand, will 'explore how design can mediate between technology and core human values.'
The work 'ANIMA,' for example, uses artificial intelligence to analyze and react to visitors' emotions and movements, while 'Polythread' is a glowing, 'solar active' pavilion made of yarn that adjusts to its environment.
ANIMA,'Nick Verstand in collaboration with onformative, Pandelis Diamantides, Pufferfish Displays
Polythread, Jenny Sabin
A more locally-sourced work, 'Kung Fu Motion Visualisation,' uses 3D motion capture of Hakka kung fu masters to create beautiful moving images.
Kung Fu Motion Visualisation, Tobias Gremmler, International Guoshu Association and City University of Hong Kong
Excited about the new museum? We are too. The Seaworld Culture and Arts Center is currently set to open in October, and will have restaurants and cafes in addition to its rooftop public green space.
With an inaugural design week under its belt, the new museum and another Shenzhen and Hong Kong Urbanism and Architecture Bi-City Biennale coming up in December, the accusation of the city having 'no culture' has never seemed less apt.
[Images via Design Society]
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