From April 17th to 23rd, 2024, the Culture, Creativity and Management (CCM) held its annual exhibition series events activities, themed "FUSION", at Chias & SHIGUANGSHUWU. The opening salvo of this event was the "FUSION_FAIR" featuring the CCM Annual Exhibition and Opening Ceremony.

The opening ceremony of the event was held on April 17 at Chias & SHIGUANGSHUWU, and was opened by a spectacular flash mob choral performance by the JIN Choir. Prof. Yaqing Mao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Eugene Ch'ng, Dean of the School of Culture and Creative Arts (SCC), Dr. Geuntae PARK, Acting Assistant Dean of the School of Culture and Creative Arts (SCC), Dr. Yuan Yuan, Acting Department Head of Department of Culture, Creativity and Design (DCCD), and Dr. Iceman LEUNG, the Acting Associate Head of Department of Culture, Creativity and Design (DCCD), were among the distinguished guests attending and witnessing the Opening Ceremony.

JIN's pop-up chorus performance  

Guest lighting ceremony

At the opening ceremony, Professor Eugene Ch'ng, Dean of the School of Culture and Creative Arts (SCC), expressed his firm belief in the bright future of the cultural and creative industries to the audience, encouraging students in the field to embrace the future with passion.

Summary of Professor Eugene's Opening Speech

1. We live in a post-industrial revolution era where many cities have successfully revitalized themselves economically through culture and creativity, showcasing their vast potential.

2. UNESCO regards the creative economy as "one of the fastest growing sectors of the world economy with high potential for income generation, job creation, and export earnings."

3. The cultural and creative industries are key drivers of the creative economy, which relies on innovation, creativity, and intellectual property.

4. In terms of economic outcomes:

i. Globally, about 20% of the workforce aged 15-29 works in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), making it the largest employer of youth.

ii. According to UNESCO, every innovative job in the CCI generates 1.7 non-innovative jobs.

5. Cultural and creative industries make cities more attractive, suitable for living, and economically vibrant.

6. Culture and creativity also promote social cohesion at the community level, foster the formation and growth of innovative networks, and create opportunities for often marginalized groups.

Additionally, Professor Ch'ng highlighted three key points:

Innovation:

Encouraging innovation within the cultural and creative industries can help the sector continue to grow and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Cultural Heritage Preservation:

Cultural heritage is a valuable asset to the creative industries. Preserving cultural heritage is crucial for maintaining community identity, enhancing a sense of belonging, and passing knowledge from one generation to the next.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Promoting diversity and inclusion in the cultural and creative industries can more comprehensively showcase the experiences and perspectives of humanity.

Dr. Park, the Acting Assistant Dean, also encouraged students to make meaningful contributions to society using their skills and knowledge while advancing their careers in this vibrant field.

The exhibition is divided into four main themes: ‘Art Time · Book’, which was created in conjunction with the course ‘Past to Present State of Arts in Cultural Industries’, the CCM History Wall, the UICer Vision, and the Co-Creation Series. These panels are designed to show the development of the arts and culture industry through a timeline, share the hidden stories of CCM from its inception to the present, and showcase the diverse perspectives of students through the UICer Vision. The Co-Creation Series, on the other hand, aims to attract more participants to create art together with CCM students and leave unforgettable shared memories.

Exhibition section and CCM History Wall

The audience stops by UICer Vision

Co-Creation Series and "Ka-Cha" interaction

Audience and excerpts from "Art Time · Book" exhibition area

For the first time, the event moved the exhibition from the traditional exhibition hall to the campus public cultural space Chias & SHIGUANGSHUWU, a novel initiative that aroused a high level of attention and participation interest from students and teachers and greatly enhanced the exposure of CCM's professionalism on campus.

Interactive photo of guests, teachers and students at the exhibition

All the parts of this CCM annual exhibition series events activities have gained a warm response and continuous applause from the audience. Numerous participants expressed their high praise for the event, appreciating its innovation, interactivity and knowledge dissemination, which not only recognised our team's efforts, but also provided anticipation and encouragement for the next year annual exhibition.

The FUSION team with Muse Balloons

Copy writer: Ziheng HUANG, Jing HUANG

Photos: FUSION Photography Team