The exhibition Symbiotic Signals: Entangled Perceptions and Algorithms, jointly presented by the Division of Arts and Machine Creativity (AMC) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the Computational Media and Arts Thrust (CMA) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), successfully concluded on January 20, 2026 at the Shaw Auditorium, HKUST.
Since its opening on December 15, 2025, the exhibition ran for 37 days and offered a systematic presentation of emerging explorations and practices at the intersection of art and technology. The exhibition welcomed a diverse audience comprising members of the university community, the general public, and professionals from the art and technology sectors both locally and internationally. Two major focus events held on 15 and 17 December attracted over 200 leading academics and industry practitioners from 17 countries and regions, generating significant academic interest and positive public response.
From Concept to Exhibition: Behind-the-Scenes Documentary
In addition to the exhibition itself, the organizing team produced a comprehensive documentary short titled "From Zero to Symbiosis: The Making of an Exhibition", which chronicles the full process of the exhibition’s realization.
The documentary traces the transformation of an empty theatre into a signal-rich exhibition space—from the installation of the first piece of equipment to the final lighting adjustments; from the intensive efforts of the installation team to the anticipation on the eve of the opening. Beyond documenting logistics, the film captures the collaborative processes through which artistic vision, technological experimentation, and collective labor converged to translate conceptual inquiry into a tangible, experiential environment. The documentary offers an alternative perspective on Symbiotic Signals, highlighting the often unseen processes of construction, calibration, reflection, and dedication behind the exhibition.
Exhibition Concept and Spatial Narrative
Anchored by the core theme of “Symbiotic Signals”, the exhibition examined how human perception, embodied experience, and cultural memory are being reshaped and challenged in an era increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and biosensing technologies.
The curatorial team distributed the exhibition across three interconnected physical spaces, constructing a narrative sequence of “orientation, immersion, and reflection.” The G/F foyer exhibition space served as the exhibition’s point of entry, designed to lower the threshold of engagement with media art through accessible and intuitive interactive works. This area foregrounded cases where artistic practices intersect with popular culture and commercial technologies, and recorded over 1,500 instances of active audience interaction, effectively functioning as both a gateway and catalyst for deeper engagement.
As the conceptual core of the exhibition, Gallery 119 was transformed into a dimly lit, focused immersive environment showcasing the most experimental installations. Room 207, by contrast, was configured as a dark audiovisual theatre dedicated to time-based media works, emphasizing durational perception and narrative temporality.
Academic Exchange and Institutional Impact
More than half of the participating artists were present on site to conduct guided tours and thematic salons, engaging directly with audiences in discussions of artistic intent, technical implementation, and interdisciplinary methodologies. The exhibition thus functioned not only as a sensory experience, but also as a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue.
Symbiotic Signals demonstrated HKUST’s role as a world-class research university in advancing interdisciplinary inquiry, cultivating hybrid ArtTech talent, and fostering constructive interactions between technology, culture, and society. Through its conceptual rigor, curatorial precision, and broad public engagement, the exhibition has made a meaningful contribution to Hong Kong’s cultural and artistic landscape.
Official Exhibition Retrospective Video
The official exhibition retrospective video, On-site Symbiosis: Exhibition Documentation and Curatorial Dialogues, is also available, offering a comprehensive overview of the 37-day exhibition period. The video documents key moments of audience interaction, spatial narration, and featured artworks, and includes in-depth interviews with the curatorial team discussing the exhibition’s conceptual framework, spatial strategies, and reflections on technology-driven artistic practice.
Exhibition Catalogue and Continuing Dialogue
Although the exhibition has concluded, the intellectual inquiry it initiated continues. A specially designed exhibition catalogue accompanies the project, documenting each artwork’s conceptual background and technical lineage, while also presenting curatorial essays, artist interviews, and visual archives. The publication condenses the dynamic on-site experience into a durable and revisitable form, serving both as a record of the exhibition and as a lens through which to understand the evolving discourse of art and technology.
Whether for peers who were unable to attend in person or for visitors seeking deeper reflection, the catalogue offers an opportunity to revisit the perceptual networks woven by Symbiotic Signals through text, image, and structure.