https://www.shiningshanghai.com
Shanghai invites international artists to submit their work for the Shining Shanghai 2025 International Light Art Open Call. This initiative seeks visionary creators to participate in one of the city’s premier cultural events, the Shanghai International Light Festival.
The 2025 open call challenges artists to explore the theme “Luminescent Roots: Stories of Home.” Using projection mapping as the primary medium, artists are asked to transform the historic building facades of Shanghai’s Jing’an district into digital canvases, creating a vibrant dialogue between heritage architecture and contemporary light art.
The Creative Challenge: “Luminescent Roots”
The theme invites a broad spectrum of artistic interpretations centered on the concept of “home,” whether physical or spiritual. The goal is to produce works that tell profound stories, explore cultural diversity, and foster connection through the interplay of light, shadow, and technology. Selected works will be showcased during the festival, offering artists a prominent platform to engage with a global audience in one of Shanghai’s most iconic districts.
Submission Details and Prizes
This open call provides a significant opportunity for artists to gain international recognition and support for their work.
- Primary Theme: Luminescent Roots: Stories of Home
- Required Medium: Projection Mapping
- Concept Submission Deadline: July 1, 2025
- Gold Award Prize: 250,000 CNY
- Exhibition Location: Historic Shikumen architecture in Jing’an, Shanghai
Exhibition Context: The Shanghai International Light Festival
The works selected from this open call will be featured as part of the larger Shanghai International Light Festival, scheduled to run from mid-September to mid-October 2025.
This city-wide event is an expansive urban art gallery, with its main hub located in the celebrated West Bund area of the Xuhui district. The festival radiates across more than a dozen sub-venues, weaving a network of immersive, light-based experiences. The event integrates art with the urban fabric, spotlighting traditional Chinese customs and the distinctive haipai (Shanghai-style) culture alongside contemporary installations.
A Legacy of Light and Innovation
Building on the success of previous editions, the Shanghai International Light Festival is committed to the transformative power of light art. The event activates public and commercial spaces, enhances the city’s nighttime economy, and reinforces Shanghai’s status as a global design and cultural nexus. By integrating art with tourism hotspots, commercial districts, and community spaces, the festival creates a multi-sensory experience for both residents and international visitors.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Illuminate Shanghai
The Shining Shanghai 2025 Open Call is more than an art competition; it is an invitation to contribute to a global cultural dialogue. It offers a unique platform to explore narratives of creativity and diversity on an international stage.
Visionary artists are encouraged to submit their concepts and become part of Shanghai’s legacy of urban innovation. This is an opportunity to have your work illuminate the city’s nocturnal beauty and connect with audiences from around the world.
