MARKING the first anniversary of the opening of the Sea World Culture and Arts Center (SWCAC) in Shekou, Design Society has launched its inaugural Public Art Season inside and around the complex.

Seven large public artworks by famous artists, designers and institutions from home and abroad, including Anthony Gormley, Liu Jianhua, LAAB, People’s Architecture Office (PAO), Cheng Tsung Feng, Stickyline, Achim Menges from School of Computing and Design at University of Stuttgart and Jan Knippers from Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design University of Stuttgart, are displaying their artworks for the public.

Operated by Design Society, the SWCAC is the first building in China designed by world-famous architect Fumihiko Maki. Covering an area of 26,000 square meters, the center offers views of the surrounding mountains, sea and city.

“More than one-third of the total building area is public space and is open to all people throughout the year. The ample public space is complex and winding, allowing people to encounter some interesting corners. Some of these spaces give people the chance to meet; others, such as the courtyard on the third floor, create a quiet atmosphere. From the perspective of space design and utilization, the Design Society building can be called a ‘Social Condenser,’ or a mini city,” said Ole Bouman, director of Design Society.

Since its opening in December 2017, the SWCAC has been awarded the title of Top Gallery in Shenzhen by the best-selling travel magazine Lonely Planet and was listed on Time’s 2018 Global Top 100 Destinations. It has received more than a million visitors and held 12 quality exhibitions, including “Minding the Digital,” “Values of Design,” and “Craft: The Reset.” It also has held more than 130 workshops, concerts, screening, lectures and forums.

Design Society is an innovative cultural initiative founded by China Merchants Shekou (CMSK), as well as the only cultural institution in China created by the V&A, the world’s leading art and design museum in Britain. As a large design innovation and polymerization platform, Design Society is committed to presenting diverse cultural events to the public.

Venue: Sea World Culture and Arts Center, 1187 Wanghai Road, Shekou, Nanshan District (南山区蛇口望海路1187号海上世界文化艺术中心)

Metro: Line 2 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A(SD News)