Public Presentation Explores Shanghai’s Cultural Identity through Sound
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., the official public launch of «Sound of Shanghai – Opera of a Cosmopolis» took place at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, bringing together leading figures from the city’s cultural, artistic, and academic sectors. The invitation-only event was conducted in English with Chinese translation, ensuring a broad and inclusive exchange of ideas among participants.
The presentation introduced the project’s concept, artistic vision, and overall realization approach, followed by an open discussion focusing on the main identity elements of the city and how these could become subjects within the project’s framework. A core aspect of the project is its aim to become part of the social dialogue, engaging institutions and citizens alike. This launch marked the beginning of that dialogue, serving as a platform to identify potential prospects and directions for the project’s realization within Shanghai’s cultural landscape.
Both lectures were delivered by Marios Joannou Elia, initiator of the «Sound of» series, who outlined the creative philosophy behind the musicalization of cities and presented detailed insights into the project’s earlier realizations in Vladivostok and Kyoto, with particular emphasis on the methodologies developed during the Kyoto process.
Among the participants in the discussion were representatives from the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, along with distinguished guests from Shanghai’s artistic and intellectual communities.
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On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., the first workshop of «Sound of Shanghai – Opera of a Cosmopolis» took place at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, bringing together leading scholars, artists, and cultural representatives to explore the intersection of sound, culture, and technology.
The workshop, directed by Marios Joannou Elia and coordinated in Chinese by Prof. Li Meng, was conducted in English with Chinese translation and held for key cultural stakeholders and representatives of Shanghai’s academic institutions. It provided an open platform for dialogue between experts on how sound can shape artistic expression and cross-cultural understanding.
The discussions featured contributions by specialists from diverse fields, including multimedia arts, artificial intelligence, traditional Chinese opera, and music theater, each addressing the role of sound in contemporary and historical contexts.
Dr. Marios Joannou Elia, initiator of the «Sound of» series, presented «The Multimedia Vibe», outlining the project’s artistic philosophy and the evolution of polymedial art.
Other invited speakers and their themes included:
– Prof. Li Meng, «Arts and Brain» – exploring the impact of sound on human perception and cognition.
– Prof. Shu Jianhua, «When Western and Oriental Music Meets» – reflecting on the cultural blending of East and West through music.
– Dr. Zheng Ying, «Artificial Intelligence and Future Arts» – examining AI’s role in shaping creative futures.
– Prof. Zhang Jing, «Music Theater in China» – addressing the evolution of contemporary Chinese musical theater.
– Zhao Xinyue, «The 600 Years Kun Opera» – presenting insights into one of China’s most enduring operatic traditions.
– Prof. Gao Shuai, «Music Theater and Chinese Traditional Opera» – connecting theatrical innovation with historical performance practice.
– Li Lu, «Shaanbei Qinqiang Opera» – highlighting regional operatic heritage within China’s cultural landscape.
Through these presentations, the workshop underscored «Sound of Shanghai» as a platform for collaboration and civic dialogue, encouraging the involvement of institutions and citizens in defining Shanghai’s cultural identity through sound and image.
