HKBU’s Future Cinema System at airport tours visitors through virtual cultural heritage sites

(Hong Kong, 18 December 2024, 1800hrs) – Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), in partnership with the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), is launching the “Fly Me There” exhibition at Hong Kong International Airport from 18 December 2024 to 15 February 2025. The exhibition features a 360-degree 3D interactive LED cinema that allows visitors to take a virtual cultural tour at the airport, immersing themselves in more than 40 breathtaking cultural heritage sites in eight Asian countries, such as China, Cambodia, India, and Turkey, through high-resolution panoramic lens while experiencing a seamless blend of art and technology.

This exhibition is a deliverable of the “Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies” project funded by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR Government. It has been curated and designed by Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts and Director of the Visualization Research Centre at HKBU, and Professor Sarah Kenderdine, Professor of EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland and Visiting Professor of the Department of Computer Science at HKBU. The project is carried out in partnership with Professor Richard Allen, Chair Professor of Film and Media Art of the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong (CityU). The “Fly Me There” exhibition is a showcase of a revolutionary paradigm shift for the cinematic experience. The 360-degree LED cinema amalgamates the technologies of digital film, video games, virtual and augmented reality, to create a new, totally immersive and interactive mode of artistic expression. It highlights the infinite possibilities that technology creates for the cultural and creative industries, and redefines how people connect and interact with precious cultural heritage.

The opening of the exhibition was held today (18 December) at Hong Kong International Airport. The officiating guests included Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Mr Steven Yiu, Executive Director, Airport Operations of AAHK; Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU; Professor Andreas Kratky, Director of Academy of Visual Arts; and Professor Jeffrey Shaw.

In his opening remarks, Professor Alex Wai said: “HKBU is dedicated to advancing innovative research, development, and application to foster growth in innovation and technology development, as well as the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong and across the Nation. The University also aims to enhance its cultural soft power by promoting the development and exchange of art, culture, and creative industries between China and other countries. This initiative further develops Hong Kong into the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange and contributes to the flourishing of the tourism industry.”

In his speech, Mr Steven Yiu said: “Airport Authority Hong Kong has been actively investing in integrating technology into the airport, providing a unique and pleasant passenger experience. We are glad to collaborate with Hong Kong Baptist University, City University of Hong Kong and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausannein in Switzerland, making us the first stop for the immersive interactive LED cinema ‘Fly Me There’. Combining technology innovation and art, this cinema offers an immersive visual tour of the magnificent cultural heritage of Mainland China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and other Asian regions to visitors.”

The “Fly Me There” exhibition is taking place at Aisle L on L7, Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport. With a diameter of 7.6 meters and a height of four meters, the 360-degree 3D LED screen has a 24 million pixel ultra-high resolution that provides a 12K panoramic ultra-high-definition viewing experience.

Upon entering this immersive large-scale installation and putting on 3D glasses, visitors will feel like they are on a plane taking off from Hong Kong International Airport, soaring with the clouds and exploring more than 40 cultural heritage sites, including temples, pagodas and grottoes, across China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey. Notable examples of these sites include the Lingyin Temple and Yong Dong Tianhou Temple in China; Ajanta caves in the Aurangabad district and Chetiyagiri Vihara in Sanchi in India; the Istanbul Chora Church and the hot air ballooning in Cappadocia in Turkey. The cinema showcases the exterior and interior of these precious cultural heritages, allowing visitors to experience them as if they were truly there. The “Fly Me There” exhibition is free of charge and is open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The “Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies” project, led by HKBU in collaboration with EPFL and City University of Hong Kong, has been awarded HK$35.4 million in funding from the Innovation and Technology Support Programme under ITC of the HKSAR Government in 2022 and supported by AAHK. “Fly Me There” marks the debut display of a deliverable of the project in a large public venue in Hong Kong. This initiative bridges art and technology, commercialising innovative solutions for the industry while supporting artists and the creative industries to meet the growing demand for new interactive and immersive forms of cultural experience, as well as entertainment and education.