[Integrated Development of Culture and Technology] HUTB Launches “Innovation for Metaverse II” AI+ Design Artworks Exhibition
2024-06-03
Innovate for the metaverse and let your creativity soar. On May 31st, the “Innovation for Metaverse II: My Heart is Slightly Larger Than the Cosmos”, an AI+ design artworks exhibition co-hosted by Xiangjiang Laboratory and HUTB, was inaugurated at the Creativity Gallery in Lingnan Campus. The art exhibition is part of the “Toward 2035: Integration and Innovation for the Future” Technology and Culture Expo and the 2nd Science and Technology Festival. A number of academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) attended the inaugural ceremony, including Lu Xicheng, Hu Wenrui, Lu Chunfang, Ouyang Xiaoping, Fan Guobin, Liu He, Chen Xiaohong, Yang Changfeng, Yang Hong, and Wu Aixiang. Also in attendance were Liu Zhongmin, a foreign academician of the Russian Academy of Engineering and Deputy Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, and He Qinghua, founder and Honorary Chairman of the Board of Sunward Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd. In addition, leaders of HUTB and Xiangjiang Laboratory were present at the ceremony. Leaders from relevant secondary units and representatives of faculty and students also attended the event.
As the Xiangjiang Symphony Orchestra started its cheerful music performance, the robotic dance troupe, comprising aerial, bipedal, and quadrupedal robots from Xiangjiang Laboratory's Intelligent Robot Laboratory, delivered a mesmerizing dance. The robotic dance troupe dazzled the audience with a display of cutting-edge application algorithms developed by Xiangjiang Laboratory. Their movements were fluid and precise, coordinated and lifelike, exuding a charming and nimble grace. The diverse performance styles of the robots were nothing short of spectacular, eliciting a symphony of applause and laughter from the onlookers.
At the inaugural ceremony, Chen Xiaohong, Academician of the CAE, Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, and Secretary of the CPC HUTB Committee, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizers. She highlighted that the rapid advancement of metaverse technology and art is a indicator of the promising future of the digital world. Last year, the “Innovation for Metaverse I” event was a resounding success, drawing extensive attention from all walks of life and creating a significant social impact. Today, driven by the technological advancement and the flourishing of culture, “Innovation for Metaverse II”, a collaborative project between Xiangjiang Laboratory and HUTB, was launched with renewed vigor. She emphasized that our faculty and students have capitalized on the integration of technology and culture, shattering the boundaries between the real and virtual worlds while showcasing the distinctive allure of digitalization. This promises to deliver an unprecedented visual experience that celebrates the fusion of culture and technology. In our ongoing efforts to become a formidable force in the national strategic science and technology landscape, HUTB and Xiangjiang Laboratory will strive to be a beacon of technological self-sufficiency for our region. We are poised to assume greater responsibilities in integrating culture with technology. She was pleased to announce the launch of the “Innovation for Metaverse II” thematic exhibition, which would allow us to venture into the new era of digital intelligence, and experience brand-new cultural experiences empowered by technology.
The exhibition was inaugurated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by academicians, experts and leaders and other guests. As the confetti cannons fired, a burst of golden confetti symbolized our relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies and our ardent aspirations for a promising future. The “Innovation for Metaverse II: My Heart is Slightly Larger Than the Cosmos” AI+ Design Artworks Exhibition has officially commenced.
In the exhibition viewing segment, academicians, experts, and faculty and students strolled through the Creativity Gallery, where they viewed the exhibition's thematic promotional video and marveled at the works displayed in exhibition sections such as the visual communication, environmental art, and fashion design sections, appreciating the allure of the technologies of tomorrow. The exhibition features over 60 pieces (sets) of works, which are based on the design art creations by the graduating class of 2024 from the Design & Art Institute. These works have been infused with technological enhancements by the Metaverse Research Team of Xiangjiang Laboratory. State-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and 3D scene reconstruction have been harnessed to diversify the forms of presentation and breathe new life into these artworks. The “Smart Cultural Heritage” initiative has developed a holographic media creative service platform and is now offering it as a pilot program, setting a new standard for precision management in the smart cultural heritage sector. “Virtual Reality” offers visitors an immersive experience, allowing them to explore virtual spaces and witness virtual fashion shows that defy imagination. “Dream Tour of the Creation” brings Chinese mythological tales to life, vividly displaying them on screens. “Herbal Prescriptions” presents an innovative take on traditional Chinese medicine, ensuring the perpetuation and advancement of this rich cultural heritage... Visitors are engaged with the exhibition as active participants, rather than as mere spectators. They commend the innovative use of Metaverse technology in the exhibition.
Li, one of the graduating design artists, said, “The advent of digital intelligent technologies has expanded the possibilities of artistic expressions. Thanks to the technical support from our university and Xiangjiang Laboratory, we have been equipped with the skills that will undoubtedly benefit our career development.” Ding, a student who attended the exhibition, noted, “New technologies breathe life into artistic creations, enabling artworks to narrate their stories through a distinctive technological vernacular, rendering the presentation both dynamic and captivating.” Yang, another student at the exhibition, stated, “We must take the initiative to learn and master more new technologies to keep abreast of the times, leveraging these innovations to better showcase our traditional culture.”
Dr. Yuan Yige, the lead creator of the “Innovation for Metaverse II” exhibition, stated that this event builds upon the success of “Innovation for Metaverse I”, integrating pre-trained large language models with holographic media content generation and rendering enhancement technologies to construct a creative platform for digital cultural heritage. The seamless integration of culture and technology not only infuses technological creations with cultural connotations, but also paves the way for a creative transformation of cultural assets. The strategy of advancing the cultural industry through technological development has not only diversified the forms of artistic expressions, but has also significantly altered the dynamics of cultural production, dissemination, and consumption, facilitating the high-quality growth of the cultural industry. Our team has created “Traditional Chinese Medicine Virtual Digital Humans”, “AR Face Masks”, “AI Music Composition” and “Cloud Cultural Heritage Museum”, which have given birth to new cultural business formats and significantly expanded the cultural industry chain. Our team's creations have translated into pilot programs implemented in various cities, greatly inspiring innovation in content creators. A large number of novel cultural business formats, industries, and scenarios are expected to emerge.
The “Innovation for Metaverse II: My Heart is Slightly Larger Than the Cosmos” AI+ design artworks exhibition, supported by cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and 3D scene reconstruction, has created an immersive experience that is accessible both online and offline. The works cover a wide range of fields, including revolutionary culture, intangible cultural heritage, regional culture, and digital cultural heritage, reflecting the transformative impact of integrating culture with technology. Visitors are free to explore both the virtual and real worlds, enjoying the unparalleled visual experience and interactions. The exhibition is scheduled to open on May 31st and will remain accessible to faculty and students for an extended period. (Written by Zhang Gaoyang and Long Qiao, and photos by the Converged Media Center)
