From December 1 to 3, 2024, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) and the Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion (FACP) co-hosted the 2024 Annual FACP Conference in Hong Kong, whose theme was “Beyond Borders, Beyond Imagination — Today’s Arts Tech.,” bringing industry leaders, artists, and technologists together to explore the intersection of performing arts and cutting-edge technology.
Keynote Speech & Forum
Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, participants examined the transformative impact of technology on the arts.
Keynote Speech 1
New Business Models and Innovation for the Arts & Culture Industry
Merging technology into opera to create visual content, innovative event formats and custom-made video design systems, Mr. Paolo Gep Cucco explored how creativity drives the future of arts and culture, highlighting innovative business models shaped by globalization and digitalization.
As the Creative Director of D-WOK and former Creative Director of Prodea Group, he has directed major events, including the Dubai Water Canal Grand Opening and the 2011 World Archery Game Opening Ceremony.
In opera, Mr. Paolo Gep Cucco has designed entertainment and video for productions at prestigious theaters, including La Scala and Sydney Opera House. In 2023, he co-directed his first film, The Opera!, using Europe's most advanced virtual set at Prodea Led Studios.
Mr. Paolo Gep Cucco shared insights on adapting to evolving audience expectations through cutting-edge design, technology, and storytelling, redefining the ecosystem of the cultural industry. During the discussion, he continued to emphasize how these tools can redefine the cultural industry ecosystem, offering new opportunities for collaboration, audience engagement, and content distribution in a digital-first world.
Forum 1
Advanced ArtsTech Impacts on the Future Creations of the Performing Arts
How is ArtsTech transforming the performing arts, blending the real and virtual worlds to create groundbreaking experiences? Four extraordinary speakers from diverse professional fields gathered to explore this exciting shift.
Mr. Yoshitaka Hirooka kicked things off with his insights into merging tradition and innovation. As Managing Director of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Hirooka has been at the forefront of creating performances with virtual artists.
He shared his journey, from the early challenges to the creative breakthroughs that allowed him to blend live music with digital artistry, setting the stage for understanding how digital tools can reshape traditional forms of performance.
Building on this theme, Ms. Hsiao-Mei Ho took us further into the world of dance, showing how the art form transcends physical and cultural boundaries.
As the founder of MeimageDance, Ms. Ho has embraced virtual reality as a way to amplify the power of dance, creating immersive works like Sister Lin Tou: The Lost Limbo. Her work bridges theater and technology, offering a glimpse into how VR can transport dancers and audiences into entirely new realms of creativity.
Mr. Septime Webre then brought a fresh perspective on how new media can reshape ballet for the future. As Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet, he spoke about the exciting possibilities new technologies bring to the stage, particularly in reimagining classical ballets.
He illustrated how digital tools offer deeper levels of audience engagement, allowing them to connect with performances in ways that weren’t possible before.
Finally, Mr. Jeffrey Shaw closed the session with his decades of experience in pioneering new media art. His work in immersive environments and interactive media has revolutionized theater, dance, and music.
Drawing on his experiences with artists like William Forsythe and Saburo Teshigawara, demonstrated how interactive and immersive technologies can transform audience perceptions, creating not just performances, but living, breathing experiences.
Through their talks, it became clear: the future of the performing arts is not just digital—it’s a thrilling blend of the real and the virtual.
Keynote Speech 2
Decoding the Performing Arts Market — How Big Data Changes Marketing Strategy
In an era where the boundaries between technology and art are increasingly blurred, Mr. Steven Choi, Head of Tencent Cloud, Hong Kong, delivers a compelling keynote on how big data and advanced technologies are reshaping the performing arts market.
Mr. Choi began by introducing Tencent’s multifaceted role in the tech industry. Known globally for platforms like WeChat, QQ, and its dominance in gaming, Tencent is also a leader in cloud solutions and digital content innovation. Its cutting-edge technologies—ranging from generative AI (GenAI) to digital humans, VR, and AR—are not only enhancing Tencent’s own business but also empowering enterprise customers in content creation and artistic endeavors.
Drawing on over decades experience in IT and digital transformation, Mr. Choi explained how big data is revolutionizing marketing strategies for the performing arts. By analyzing customer preferences, engagement patterns, and demographic data, arts organizations can craft highly targeted campaigns that resonate with modern audiences.
Forum 2
Technology and Architecture in the Performing Arts Venues
How about creating venues that inspire innovation, empower artists, and connect audiences in new and meaningful ways? The second forum brought together three visionary leaders who are transforming performing arts spaces into hubs of creativity, technology, and collaboration.
Ms. Carrie Lo opened the discussion with an inspiring look at how the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC) is blending art with technology to redefine the cultural landscape in Hong Kong. By merging artistry and innovation, EKCC is setting the stage for the next chapter in the performing arts, positioning itself as a leader in arts technology.
She described EKCC as more than just a venue—it’s a playground for experimentation, where digital tools like virtual reality, interactive installations, and immersive audio-visual experiences elevate performances to new heights.
Building on Carrie’s focus on innovation, Mr. Frank Yeung introduced the architectural and operational philosophies behind the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). As the Head of Theatre Planning, Frank has played a pivotal role in designing venues that cater to diverse performance styles—from intimate Cantonese opera performances to grand-scale outdoor events.
Mr. Frank shared that the district’s venues are meticulously designed with artists and audiences in mind, ensuring spaces are not only visually stunning but also highly functional, highlighting WKCD’s integration of public spaces, educational initiatives, and world-class performance facilities.
Dr. Cho Jung Yun expanded the conversation by bringing in the Korean perspective, where performing arts venues in regional areas are leading a quiet revolution. He described how Korea has invested in building state-of-the-art venues, such as opera houses and concert halls, outside its major cities.
He also highlighted the policies supporting these venues, including funding for resident companies and programs that encourage international exchange. By fostering partnerships between regional councils, cultural foundations, and artists, Korea is strengthening its local arts ecosystem while connecting to broader Asian and global networks.
What made this forum truly compelling was the synergy between the speakers’ perspectives. They painted a picture of a future where performing arts venues are not just buildings but dynamic spaces that spark creativity, foster innovation, and bring people together.
Hong Kong Local Art Groups
The final highlight of the 2024 FACP Hong Kong Conference was an enriching series of studio visits to three of Hong Kong’s most iconic art organizations, allowing participants to experience firsthand the diverse and dynamic cultural practices unique to Hong Kong.
The first stop was the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC), where they observed a rehearsal for a contemporary dance piece inspired by the rhythms and energy of the traditional Chinese drumbeat. Since its founding in 1981, HKDC has been dedicated to merging the cultural heritage of Chinese dance with modern artistic vision.
This rehearsal gave a glimpse into how the company seamlessly blends these two worlds, crafting works that resonate with audiences locally and internationally. HKDC’s influence in the global arts scene is evident through its performances at renowned venues such as the Lincoln Center in New York and the Southbank Centre in London.
Next, participants visited the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), where they witnessed a rehearsal of One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum as part of the Drum Carnival. Established in 1977, the HKCO has earned international acclaim as a leader in Chinese ethnic music and a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong.
Their performance transcended traditional Chinese music, blending ancient instruments with contemporary compositions to create a fusion that echoed throughout their rehearsal. The orchestra's efforts in promoting Chinese music worldwide and their innovative contributions to the arts were truly inspiring.
The final one took place at the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (HKRT), where participants had the chance to view a short video of their upcoming Cantonese musical: The Impossible Trial - a musical. Founded in 1977, HKRT is the city’s largest professional theatre company, renowned for its wide-ranging repertory that blends Western and Eastern theatrical traditions.
The company's work is deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s cultural landscape, often exploring the city’s complex identity and human experiences through a unique lens. The video provided a sneak peek into the Cantonese performances that have made HKRT a pillar of Hong Kong’s theatre community.
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