“Made in Ningbo” Leaves Visitors in Awe at 19th ICIF
The 19th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
On June 7, the 19th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, where 13 cultural businesses and institutes from Ningbo made a splendid appearance and attracted widespread interest with cutting-edge technologies as well as fancy artistic products.
The 19th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) kicked off in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
Tech innovation empowers cultural industries
At the fair, visitors were fully immersed in different “realities” —— a looming mountain amid the mist, rocky coastlines bathed in moonlight, a water forest with dancing butterflies...all created by an interactive multimedia system featuring state-of-the-art technologies from Zhejiang Dafeng Industry Co., Ltd., one of the leading players in Ningbo’s cultural industries.
According to a company representative, the system combines digital twin technology, 3D scene modeling and an embedded system with interactive control programming that merges physical senses with digital technology. These integrated elements result in an immersive interactive space boasting cinematic visual quality.
This system – currently applied in projects including the immersive atrium in Haikou International Duty-Free Shopping Complex and the immersive space in Qingdao Eden – primarily serves film and television production, directing, and estate management.
The interactive multimedia system from Dafeng Industry was on display.
Fancy products refresh cultural heritage
A set of celadon beauty products from Cixi city, Ningbo, eastern of Zhejiang province, embodying the vigor of an inherited intangible cultural heritage, were also on display at the Zhejiang exhibition hall where the color celadon green dominates.
Fang Lichuan was showing the beauty products of Yue Kiln celadon.
“This Yue Kiln celadon vanity mirror with LED lights has a beautiful name—— ‘Wang Yaotai’, meaning ‘a peep into the abode of ancient gods’. And its lighting adjusts automatically based on the surrounding lighting conditions.” Fang Lichuan, Deputy Minister of the Information Office and Director General of the Press and Publication Bureau of Cixi, eagerly introduced these products of Yue Kiln celadon to visitors. “These lipsticks are placed in vintage celadon tubes and the matching powder compact was inspired by a handicraft made in the Tang Dynasty (618-709 CE), namely the celadon plate with five petal-shaped rims.”
Ningbo’s celadon culture features a rich history. During China’s Tang and Song (960-1279) dynasties, Shanglin Lake in Cixi marked the main production area for Yue Kiln celadon and mise porcelain. To revitalize the millennia-old celadon industry, Cixi has taken a steady step on the journey of exploration.
“As soon as the celadon beauty products were launched, their sales skyrocketed, even to the point of being sold out.” Fang said. By introducing traditional celadon into modern industries, the intangible cultural heritage is further integrated into day-to-day life.
Latest concepts usher in a new market
Live Action Role Playing (LARP) games, a form of role-playing where participants act out their characters, are a hit among youths. But have you ever tried out the VR LARP? At the fair, Huoxiyi Culture (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. introduced this latest concept and showcased its VR LARP products.
Huoxiyi Culture was introducing its VR LARP games.
Ying Qinuo, the founder of Huoxiyi Culture, explained that LARPs have gone through rapid growth in recent days and the market is increasingly competitive. As an upgraded version of LARPs, VR LARPs adapt written scripts into VR films to enhance user’s interaction and immersion with the game.
“With VR glasses on, I got to tap in the character’s inner world by simply watching the videos. I felt more engaged in the game!” Mr. Li, who had his first encounter with VR LARPs, shared his impressions.
Since Huoxiyi Culture debuted China’s first VR LARP in 2022, over 100 LARP stores around the country have purchased this product in less than a year. According to Ying, an injection of elements such as cultural tourism, animation, and celebrities opens up vast possibilities and potential markets for LARPs.
“Ningbo has witnessed a surge in the film and television industry, establishing itself as a rising star in cultural industries. We seek collaboration with other businesses and institutes to build Ningbo into the city of VR LARPs.” Ying Qinuo vowed to continue digging new patterns and models for a growth in the cultural industry, aiming to generate a wider range of cultural products for the public.
Journalists: Pan Wenjie (intern), Wang Siqin, Zhang Jingjing
Proofreaders: Puyang Rong, Lu Yuchen, Jason Mowbray
