The 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and France · A Grand Feast of Science Fiction Art Officially Kicks Off
On the afternoon of November 16th, the launch ceremony for the third season of the Sino-French Art Masters International Exchange Series, centered around the theme of "Science Fiction and Imagination," took place at 1012, Shekou Bay, Nanshan District.
The series of events was hosted by the Nanshan District People's Government, organized by the Nanshan District Foreign Affairs Office and Shekou Subdistrict Office, and co-organized by the SCIENCE & FANTASY GROWTH FOUNDATION. Renowned French illustrators Gilles Francescano and Nicolas Petrimo, along with Chinese science fiction writers Hai Bing, Chinese science fiction illustrator master Zhao Enzhe, CG artist Xiao Zhuangyue, and film visual effects expert Liang Chaopo, gathered together to witness the launch of the third season of the Sino-French Art Masters International Exchange Series.
At the launch ceremony, a retrospective of short videos from the first and second seasons of the series of activities was played, allowing the guests present to revisit the long-standing friendship between Nanshan District, Shenzhen and the South of France, and jointly look forward to a new chapter in Sino-French exchanges. It is reported that this season's Sino-French Art Masters International Exchange Series mainly includes the Sino-French Art Masters Science Fiction and Imagination Works Exhibition, the Sino-French Science Fiction and Imagination High-end Forum, the Sino-French Artists into Campus, and the French Life Experience Area, aiming to build an artistic bridge for Sino-French exchanges and fully demonstrate the openness, inclusiveness, and artistic atmosphere of Nanshan's internationalized urban area.
As the general artistic advisor of the Nantes Science Fiction Festival in France, Gilles Francescano expressed at the launch ceremony that he was delighted to be in Nanshan, Shenzhen, alongside two great French artists, concept artist Alexis Bricklow and manga artist Nicolas Petrimo. He was looking forward to meeting and exchanging ideas and sharing experiences with Chinese science fiction writers and artists. He also mentioned that as a science fiction artist, he would be happy to live in Shenzhen if possible.
Hugo Award winner Hai Bing emotionally recalled that 12 years ago, it was in Shekou that he began his new chapter as a Shenzhen resident. Nanshan and Shekou have left an indelible mark on his life. He said that the integration of art and culture is the source of innovation and development, and he looked forward to discussing the future of science fiction with people from all walks of life by the side of Nanshan, facing the sea, to spark new creative ideas.
Hugo Award winner for "Best Professional Artist" Zhao Enzhe painted on the spot and delivered a keynote speech titled "Super Individuals and the Subsidence of Art", encouraging everyone to adapt to industry changes, use tools to break the deadlock, pay attention to the impact of new media, explore AI applications, and tap into the inspiration of science fiction creation, in order to promote the development of art and the progress of human civilization.
Liang Chaopo, a member of the special effects team for "The Wandering Earth 2", shared insights on the development and current status of film special effects, as well as the collaborative prospects with AI in the future. He also envisioned the exciting integration of AI and film special effects, promising to present audiences with even more stunning and touching cinematic works.
Shortly after the launch ceremony, Haibin's on-site book signing event at Wanxia 1012 attracted a large crowd of science fiction enthusiasts, who eagerly queued up to catch a glimpse of the Hugo Award winner. During the event, Haibin not only signed books for readers but also engaged in close communication with them, providing readers with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the author's creative world and the thoughts behind his works.
In the afternoon of the same day, the "Future Prelude: Sino-French Art Masters' Sci-Fi and Imagination Works Exhibition" was held at Wanxia 1012, featuring a live event by Sino-French art masters. Ma Guobin, the initiator of the Sci-Fi Fund, personally guided and explained the exhibition, leading the audience to delve into the fascinating world of sci-fi art. The exhibition showcased classic works by sci-fi art masters from China and France, as well as original sci-fi artworks by the younger generation that imagined the future. The works of the masters covered sci-fi themes such as deep space exploration, deep sea mysteries, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and more, presenting the profoundness and breadth of sci-fi art with unique perspectives and exquisite craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the works of the younger generation from China and France closely linked technological thinking and artistic expression under different cultural backgrounds, jointly constructing a future world full of infinite imagination and hope, allowing the audience to deeply feel the inheritance and development of sci-fi art among the younger generation.
According to reports, in the coming days, Nanshan District will also host multiple Sino-French exchange activities to further cultivate a sci-fi and artistic atmosphere in the urban area. On November 17th at 3 pm, several French artists, along with Chinese sci-fi writers and art masters, will engage in a salon dialogue centered around imagination creation at the Inspiration Square in Nantou Ancient City, building a bridge for the fusion and exchange of imagination between the East and the West. From November 18th to 19th, the "Sino-French Artists into Campus" event will invite French artists to visit Nanshan campuses. Through art exhibitions, interactive exchanges, and other forms, it will bring a strong sci-fi art atmosphere to students, enrich their artistic experiences, broaden their international horizons, promote understanding and integration between different cultures, and add multicultural colors to the campus.