HKUST and HKUST(GZ) Launch World's First Large-Scale MR × AI Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), has launched the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. This world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition is part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, with an exclusive media preview held at the Clear Water Bay campus.

Selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, integrate creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. The exhibition transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence. It will open at HKUST(GZ) from June 17 through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, emphasized the significance of the event: "This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange." She added that HKUST's Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction, and initiatives like SURREALITY are poised to develop into prominent international platforms fostering arts and cultural exchanges.

Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated: "'SURREALITY' is not only the world's first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity." The exhibition features nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong.

At the Clear Water Bay campus, 19 premiered works transform the campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. Visitors can explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind using MR headsets. Highlights include The Gate, a metaverse concept piece that allows visitors to traverse virtual spaces of both campuses, embodying the "One HKUST, Complementary Campuses" vision. Another featured work, Kunpeng, depicts a giant fish leaping from Port Shelter and transforming into a soaring roc. The piece The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system symbolizing interdependence.

The exhibition also features an MR recreation of GFP Bunny by Prof. Eduardo KAC, sparking reflection on genetic modification and bioethics. Mr. ZHANG Yishuai presents Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. Several VR pieces are also on display, including Astra by Eliza MCNITT and Mother's Body Remembers by Benedict YU. The HKUST XRIM Lab's Unfolding Touch enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake across campuses.

Prof. Pan HUI, Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), explained that SURREALITY explores a new form of reality where virtual and physical are no longer separate. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition prompts reflection on how technology reshapes humanity's understanding of reality.