Glow Shenzhen ‘lights up’ night economy

A light installation in Futian CBD on Friday night, when a special light show was staged to launch Glow Shenzhen 2023. Glow Shenzhen, a grand light festival, will run through Feb. 25 next year, featuring 215 works and installations of light art from various countries. Courtesy of the city’s urban management authority

GLOW Shenzhen 2023, a grand light festival, officially opened Friday night, adding vibrant night scenes to city streets and energizing the city’s nighttime economy.

For the first time, a special light show was presented in Futian CBD on Friday night to kick off the festival. The show utilized advanced intelligent control means and innovative visual expression to light up the city’s sparkling vitality.

The light festival, which will run through Feb. 25 next year, features 215 works and installations of light art from various countries. It has its main venue set up in Futian District, with five subvenues in Luohu, Nanshan, Bao’an, Longgang, and Guangming districts, and four exhibition sites in Yantian, Longhua, Pingshan, and Dapeng. A total of 33 themed art events will be held during the festival.

This year’s Glow Shenzhen is held in cooperation with “i light Singapore,” Asia’s leading sustainable light festival, to bring local audiences an interactive installation titled “Plug & Play,” which has been included for this year’s “i light Singapore.” The installation is being exhibited between One Avenue and Wongtee Center Building in Futian.

Glow Shenzhen is also committed to promoting the development of nighttime economy with artistic expression.

The festival has made full use of the city’s key business districts and shopping centers such as UpperHills in Futian and OCT Harbor in Nanshan to diversify consumption scenarios by adding digital art exhibitions, art exhibitions, and music festivals. Additionally, night markets are being held at One Avenue and Link CentralWalk in Futian.

A citizen surnamed Guo said that he happened to see the night market when taking a walk near One Avenue on Saturday night. “The night market and some light art works created a fantastic night atmosphere and a festival vibe,” Guo said.

Citizens can check out the WeChat miniprogram “深圳光影艺术季” for information on the locations of artworks, events, and shopping promotions.

Glow Shenzhen, a pioneer of urban public art activities, continues to attract well-known artists from home and abroad, support outstanding young artists, and enhance the city’s international influence through light art.

In the past four years, the light festival has displayed over 900 light artworks, according to the city’s urban management authority. (Shenzhen Daily)