Despite the recent cool rainy days, flamboyant flame flowers have been in full blossom in this tropical city, and in celebration of that, the annual OCT Flame Flower Carnival kicked off last weekend at Overseas Chinese Town.
With the theme "Naturally Together," this year's 10-day event, mainly held on the grassland near the OCT Sports and Culture Center, features art installations, music gigs, a forum, performances and markets to connect people, nature and the city. Follow the organizer's WeChat account "nature_1111" for detailed information.
1. Flame Flower Photography/Video Competition
The Flame Flower Photography/Video Competition accepts flame flower-themed photos or 15-second videos shot this year. Winners will get a DJI Mavic 2 or a DJI Spark 2. Follow the organizer's WeChat account "nature_1111" for more information. Scan the QR code to submit your photos.
Submission: Until May 26
2. Installations
Air Mountain
Shenzhen architect Huang Zelin's transparent inflated "Air Mountain" installation is not only a giant fun toy for children to mount and rest upon but also a "breathing" activity space, or something like a plant growing with its neighboring trees and grass. At the opening of the carnival May 3, 12 scholars, artists, writers and designers from the Pearl River Delta gathered inside "Air Mountain" for a six-hour talk. Then, on the rainy night of May 4, Guangdong band Zhao Ze gave a hot gig inside the huge jelly-like venue for music-lovers.
Resting Cloud
Beside "Air Mountain," local artist Zhang Kaiqin's mist installation "Resting Cloud" is sprayed regularly. She said this work is a tribute to nature. "Art doubles as a way to connect people and in recent years, I'd like to create half of an artwork while leaving the other half for viewers to finish. So the other half of 'Resting Cloud' is left to wind, to the sun and to visitors," she said.
Rainforest, Feather Forest, Talk Forest
Sculptor Zhang Qinu's wooden installation "Rainforest, Feather Forest, Talk Forest" reflects the loss of spoken dialects in a rapidly developing city like Shenzhen.
Meet You in the City Center
Sculptor Liu Xiaoqing's installation "Meet You in the City Center" is like a heavenly vault. Comprised of several suspended paint buckets, the on-grass installation expresses the conflict of urban construction and ecology.
The four installations are on display until May 12. "Air Mountain," "Resting Cloud," and "Meet You in the City Center" can be seen on the grassland near the OCT Sports and Culture Center (华侨城体育文化中心旁绿地), while "Rainforest, Feather Forest, Talk Forest" can be found at the OCT Ecology Plaza's C Area (华侨城生态广场C区).
3. Interactive events
Color Forest
Stalker Theater, an Italian art troupe, will build an wooden installation together with spectators. The activity aims to build a bridge between contemporary art and the public.
Time: 4-5 p.m., May 11
Yoga
Yoga masters Yotam Agam and Sandra Schultze invite locals to join an outdoor yoga practice.
Time: 5-6 p.m., May 11-12
There are no tickets left for participating the two interactive events but you can still go there and have a look.
4. Shows
Music & Art Jam
Time: 7-7:30 p.m., May 12
Drama performance
Time: 7:30-9 p.m., May 11
Pop music
Time: 2-4:30 p.m., May 11-12
Yuxi Nie Er Bamboo Orchestra
Time: 8-9:30 p.m., May 12
5. Market for chic items
Time: 2-9 p.m., May 11-12
Interactive events, music shows, the performance and the market will be held on the grassland near the OCT Sports and Culture Center (华侨城体育文化中心旁绿地)
Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station (华侨城站), Exit B and then walk north for about 10 minutes
