Themed “Urban Interactions,” the 2019 Bi-City Biennale of UrbanismArchitecture (Shenzhen) (UABB) consists of two sections, namely “Eyes of the City” and “Ascending City,” which explore the evolving relationship between urban space and technological innovation from different perspectives. The team of chief curators includes architect and director of MIT Senseable City Lab Carlo Ratti, Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Meng Jianmin and famous curator and art critic Fabio Cavallucci. Academic curator is the South China-Torino Lab (Politecnico di Torino and SCUT). 

• Main venues:

Futian Railway Station 福田高铁站

The exhibition “Eyes of the City” is near the exits 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14 of Futian Railway Station. Reservation is needed; please scan the QR code and present your ID for entry.

Dates: Until March 8 (closed Jan. 19-Feb. 3 and Mondays)

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Metro: Line 2, 3 or 11 to Futian Station (福田站) and then follow the signs to the exhibition site

A visitor observes an installation at the "Eyes of the City." Photos courtesy of UABB Shenzhen

Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning 深圳市当代艺术与城市规划馆

No reservation is required for this “Ascending City” exhibition. Please present your ID for entry.

Dates: Until March 8 (closed Jan. 24-26 and Mondays but opens Jan. 27)

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit A2

An installation at the Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning.

• Sub-venues:

Hosted by district governments with reference to the structure and operation of the main exhibition, the nine UABB sub-venues focus on local cases and echo the themes of the UABB.

Shatoujiao Bonded Zone (Yantian) 盐田区沙头角保税区

With a history of nearly 28 years, Shatoujiao Bonded Zone is now in urgent need of transformation and upgrading. The exhibition themed “City of Streams” aims to promote the rejuvenation of innovative industries in the district, serving as the prelude to the transformation of Yantian.

Dates: Until March 15 (closed Jan. 24-Feb. 3 and Mondays)

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (regular days), 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. (holidays)

Venue: Building No. 8, Shatoujiao Bonded Zone, Haishan Road, Yantian District (盐田区海山路沙头角保税区8号楼)

Metro: Line 2 or 5 to Huangbeiling Station (黄贝岭站), Exit D and then take Bus E26/85/M191/387/205/M437/308/103

International Art Exhibition Center (Bao’an) 宝安区国际艺展中心

“New Bay Trend: Life Interactive Experiment Exhibition” discusses the geographical relationship in Shenzhen’s urbanization process, how new trends may develop and be iterated in Bao’an, and explores new ideas in five fields, namely architecture, art, design, life and products.

Dates: Until March 30 (closed Jan. 24-27 and Mondays)

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Venue: International Art Exhibition Center, Songfu Boulevard, Bao’an District (宝安区松福大道满京华国际艺展中心)

Metro: Line 11 to Bitou Station (碧头站), Exit D and then take Bus 656/M495

International Art Exhibition Center.

Qiaotou Community (Bao’an) 宝安区桥头社区

“Coordinates: Theater” extends the significance of the symbol “theater” through the reuse of idle and inactive community spaces. Thanks to the power of art, architecture and technology, this exhibition revitalizes a new, vibrant theater for various urban events and activities.

Dates: Until March 22 (closed Jan. 22-28)

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sun.-Thur.), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.)

Venue: Qiaotou Community, Bao’an District (宝安区桥头社区)

Metro: Line 11 to Qiaotou Station (桥头站), Exit B and then walk westward for 10 minutes

Xichong (Dapeng) 大鹏新区溪涌

The exhibition themed “At Ease in Xichong” conceptualizes the great potential of technical innovation and urban space by re-shaping human connections and redefining human-nature relationships. The ideal state is precisely what the Taoists meant by “inaction,” by way of which we humans can finally hope to become a more active and positive part of the techno-city.

Dates: Until March 27

Venue: 1085 Shenkui Road, Dapeng New Area (大鹏新区深葵路1085号)

Metro: Line 2 or 5 to Huangbeiling Station (黄贝岭站), Exit D and then take Bus M357/M362/E26

An installation at the Xichong sub-venue of the 2019 UABB Shenzhen.

Dapeng Fortress (Dapeng) 大鹏新区大鹏所城

The exhibition themed “The Sea of Time” describes, analyzes and visualizes the venue area from the dimensions of geography, space and production. Rooted in the historical and cultural context of the coastal area, the exhibition connects the past and the present of the city to create an inclusive urban container and stage.

Dates: Until March 29 (indoor exhibition closed Mondays)

Venue: Dapeng Fortress and Jiaochangwei, Dapeng New Area (大鹏新区大鹏所城和较场尾)

Metro: Line 2 or 5 to Huangbeiling Station (黄贝岭站), Exit D and then take Bus E26

Banxuegang Hi-Tech Zone (Longgang) 龙岗区坂雪岗科技城

The exhibition themed “(De)coding City: Wuhe Legend” raises questions based on the key words of “decoding,” “legend” and “local knowledge production.”

Dates: Until March 22 (closed Jan. 20-Feb. 1 and Mondays)

Hours: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Venue: Vanke Xinghuo Online and Galaxy Incubator, Longgang District (龙岗区万科星火Online和星河·领创天下)

Metro: Line 5 to Wuhe Station (五和站), Exit C and then take Bus M281/M346/M566

Guanlan Ancient Market (Longhua) 龙华区观澜古墟

Focusing on the “descending” historical research and “ascending” renewal plans of the ancient market, the exhibition “Interweaving: Memory and Renewal” aims to guide and advance the re-inclusion of this ancient Hakka market into the super city of Shenzhen with a “new look of old appearance” from two dimensions: memory and renewal.

Dates: Until March 8 (closed Jan. 23-31 and Mondays)

Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Venue: Guanlan Ancient Market, Longhua District (龙华区观澜街道观澜古墟)

Metro: Line 4 to Qinghu Station (清湖站), Exit D and then take Bus M338/M287/M302/M510

Guangming Cloud Valley (Guangming) 光明区光明云谷

Based on the district’s existing green ecological urban development concept, this sub-venue studies and reviews history through the theme “Inter-Connected Future” and offers intellectual support for the development and construction of the future Guangming Science City through prospective urban planning and architectural design.

Dates: Until March 22 (closed Jan. 24-31 and Mondays)

Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Venue: Guangming Science City Exhibition Center, Guangming District (光明区光明科学城展示中心)

Transport: Take the high-speed rail from Futian Station or Shenzhen North Station to Guangming City Station and then take Bus M218

Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone 前海深港现代服务业合作区

The exhibition themed “Superposition Cities” discusses urban issues with a flexible approach from multiple perspectives and at multiple levels. It guides visitors to look at and experience the core of the city beyond its physical spaces and — through superposed perspectives, statuses and conjectures — inspires them to imagine the future.

Dates: March 6-May 8

Venue: Qianhai Kerry Center (前海嘉里商务中心)

Metro: Line 5 or 9 to Qianwan Station (前湾站), Exit D and walk northwestward for 10 minutes

• Light shows

Now until March 8, a new light show generated by AI algorithms is being staged every weekend together with the old light shows on the facades of 43 skyscrapers in central Futian. The new show, themed “Urban Interactions,” is a combination of award-winning light works from the 2019 UABB (Shenzhen) Light Show and Urban Light Art Museum Creative Design Competition.

The two old light shows are “Glorious New Era” and “Vibrant City,” which have been held since 2018. “Glorious New Era” mainly uses strong colors to celebrate the 70th birthday of the motherland and the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up and showcases Shenzhen’s open, inclusive and innovative spirit. In “Vibrant City,” international artists were invited to use geometric figures, icons and child-friendly art to create a refreshing and playful light show.

The current schedule is 7 p.m. (“Glorious New Era”) and 8 p.m. (“Urban Interactions”) every Friday and Saturday. On public holiday nights, “Vibrant City” will be added at 9 p.m.