Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Ballet and Studio Wayne McGregor Join Forces in Interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer with Avant-Garde Art Tech x Dance Choreographic Installation at Venice's Biennale Danza 2025

HONG KONG, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) and Studio Wayne McGregor (SWM) proudly present the avant-garde choreographic installation Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth, which had its world premiere as part of Biennale Danza, the 19th International Festival of Contemporary Dance of La Biennale di Venezia from 25 July to 2 August 2025 in Venice.

The installation will also be presented at Venice Immersive ("The Best of"), the XR Extended Reality section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival from 27 August to 6 September 2025. The presentations in Venice will be followed by the UK premiere from October 2025 and at Tai Kwun in Hong Kong in 2026. Through this captivating cross-cultural and cross-sectoral collaboration, Hong Kong demonstrates vibrant cultural leadership while advancing global artistic innovation, with HKBU and HKB at the forefront of knowledge transfer excellence.

This pioneering cultural performance leverages the immersive nVis installation developed by Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts and Director of the Visualization Research Centre at HKBU, which is funded by the HKSAR Government's Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) under the HK$35.4 million "Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies" project.

On The Other Earth, the world's first post-cinematic choreographic installation, refracts, evolves and reimagines dance performance in a startlingly original new form of experience set within Professor Jeffrey Shaw and Visiting Professor of the Department of Computer Science at HKBU Professor Sarah Kenderdine's radically immersive panoramic, 360-degree stereoscopic, 12K LED, 26-million-pixel nVis screen, where 3D imagery is experienced within an enveloping, large-scale cylindrical architecture. Combining dance – connecting in close contact with the hyperreal dancers of Company Wayne McGregor and the Hong Kong Ballet, choreography, digital imaging, spatialised sound, and artificial intelligence, Professor Sir Wayne McGregor transports the audiences in a thought-provoking, otherworldly encounter.

To celebrate this successful collaboration, a Hong Kong reception with the theme 'Pulse of the Pearl: Transcending Avant-Grade with Technology and Knowledge Transfer' was held on 21 July at SMAC San Marco Art Centre in Venice. Esteemed speakers Artistic Director of Biennale Danza Professor Sir Wayne McGregor; HKBU Interim Chief Innovation Officer Professor Terence Lau; HKB Artistic Director Mr Septime Webre and Professor Jeffrey Shaw; led the audience in an inspiring discussion on how dance, art tech and knowledge transfer will shape the future of performance. They also explored Hong Kong's role in international partnerships and the city's potential to contribute to global arts and culture.

The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) in Brussels and ITC supported the reception, which was attended by cultural industry leaders, field experts, and government officials including Miss Fiona Li, HKETO Brussels Deputy Representative and Mr Luca Fegatelli, Director of Regional Directorate of Culture, Youth and Family Policies, Equal Opportunities, and Civil Service, Lazio Region of Italy.

Miss Fiona Li, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, remarked: "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has set a clear vision to position Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. We are committed to nurturing a diverse talent pool, enriching arts and creative content and fostering a dynamic and inclusive cultural ecosystem. Events like this do more than showcase artistic innovation – they highlight Hong Kong's commitment to global collaboration, knowledge transfer and the commercialisation of Art Tech."

Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, shared: "We are proud to showcase our achievements on the global stage. HKBU has long been a cradle of innovation and creativity, and this groundbreaking performance exemplifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of art and technology. Showcasing Hong Kong's homegrown performance on the world stage highlights our distinctive creative vision and demonstrates how we contribute fresh perspectives to global arts."

Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU, said: "The Future Cinema Systems project deliverables were previously showcased at the Hong Kong International Airport through the 'FLY ME THERE' exhibition. Together with our prestigious partners, HKBU is redefining the future of art tech with this On The Other Earth project that follows — transforming ideas and expertise into world-class performance. As On The Other Earth embarks on its global tour, it will be a solid demonstration of the power of transdisciplinary innovation and knowledge transfer, one that transcends geography and culture."

Ms Heidi Lee, Executive Director of HKB shared: "This project has opened up exciting possibilities for international exchange, allowing us to explore new artistic languages that stretch far beyond our traditional imagination of ballet. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels for their generous support of our participation in this remarkable journey. As Hong Kong Ballet continues to grow as a cultural ambassador for our beloved city, we are proud to bring even more of our unique productions abroad this year, including to New York, Seoul, and Shanghai."

Mr Septime Webre, Artistic Director of HKB added: "This groundbreaking collaboration brings together the best of international innovation and artistry, highlighting Hong Kong Ballet's commitment to pushing creative boundaries and fostering cultural exchange. We are honoured to be collaborating with Wayne McGregor and Jeffrey Shaw, two artists of international renown, and to be part of this transformative experience. In On The Other Earth, our dancers, together with the dancers of Company Wayne McGregor, bring their extraordinary artistry and versatility to this fusion of ballet, contemporary dance and cutting-edge technology."

Mr Carmelo Ficarra, Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macao said: "HKBU and HKB made an exceptional contribution to this year's Venice Biennale Danza. This cross-cultural collaboration with SWM highlights Hong Kong's creative excellence and demonstrates how partnerships can drive innovation and create mutual opportunities for growth."

As the only Affiliated University of the Biennale Architettura 2025 from Asia, HKBU also participated in the Biennale Sessions and organised the "Pioneering Art Tech: New Frontiers in Interdisciplinary Education and Media Production" session on 19 July. Professor Andreas Kratky, HKBU Academy of Visual Arts Director, and Professor Shin Dong Kim, Professor of the Academy of Film at HKBU, shared their insights during the sessions on "Merging Tradition and Future: Interdisciplinary Research and Education in Art and Technology" and "Changing Landscape of Media Production in the Time of AI Technology" and sparked insightful exchanges with the audience.

HKBU adopts a transdisciplinary approach to reshape the arts and culture through its strong foundation in both arts and sciences. By driving applications, encouraging exchange and fostering collaborations, the University leverages knowledge transfer to scale new heights and solidify Hong Kong's status as a leading international arts and cultural hub.

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FULL CREDITS
Wayne McGregor: ON THE OTHER EARTH

DIRECTION and CHOREOGRAPHY 
Wayne McGregor

nVis 360 3D EMBODIED VISUALIZATION CONCEPTS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Jeffrey Shaw, Sarah Kenderdine

CINEMATIC DESIGN 3D 360 ANIMATION and EDITING 
Ravi Deepres, Theresa Baumgartner, Jeffrey Shaw
with Luke Unsworth, Paul Bourke, J.Him, Paul Nichola, Chris Parks, Carlos Serrano, Chris Stephens, and Nice Monster.tv

SOUND COMPOSITION
INVISIBLE MOUNTAIN (Powered by Bronze) 

Foley Artist
Grégory Vincent  

nVis 3D 360 TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT, HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Jeffrey Shaw, Sarah Kenderdine
Vack Cheung, Davor Vincze, Ching Lee, Charisse So, Sum Wong, Alejandro Rodriguez, Paul Bethge, Leoson Cheong, Marlen Runz, Joseph Chan, Jeff Zhang, Victor Wong, Eman Tse 

PRODUCTION
Rebecca Marshall, Svet Lapcheva, Tobias Tang 

PERFORMED BY COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR AND HONG KONG BALLET 

COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR 
Rebecca Bassett-Graham, Naia Bautista, Kevin Beyer, Julia Costa, Salvatore De Simone, Chia-Yu Hsu, Jayla Jacobs, Hannah Joseph, Jasiah Marshall, Salomé Pressac and Mariano Zamora González 

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR 
Odette Hughes 

HONG KONG BALLET
Luis Cabrera, Jeremy Chan, Albert Gordon, Vanessa Lai Nok Sze, Nana Sakai, Gouta Seki, Sun Jia, Wang Qingxin 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, HONG KONG BALLET
Septime Webre 

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR, HONG KONG BALLET 
Yuh Egami 

COSTUME DESIGN 
Ilaria Martello  

JEWELLERY DESIGN
Hannah Martin  

Co-produced by Hong Kong Baptist University; Hong Kong Ballet; Studio Wayne McGregor, London 

Co-commissioned by La Biennale di Venezia, Danza; Somerset House, London; Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, Hong Kong 

Supported by: Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong; City University of Hong Kong; EPFL, Switzerland; Hong Kong Baptist University Visualization Research Centre; Arts Council England; Bloomberg; Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement (UK); The Space (UK) 

With additional support from: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels 

Thank you to Marian Gaultney; Birmingham City University; Hong Kong Baptist University Motion Capture and Visualization Laboratory; The Peninsula Hotels – The Peninsula Hong Kong; Hong Kong Design Institute; The Roundhouse, London 

PREMIERE DATE AND VENUE
24th July 2025, La Biennale di Venezia, Danza 2025, Venice, Italy 

About Hong Kong Baptist University

As one of Asia's finest institutions of higher education, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is committed to nurturing future-shaping talents, providing them with a broad-based, transdisciplinary and creative education, as well as offering a diverse range of programmes spanning the arts, business, Chinese medicine, communication, social sciences, science, technology and sport. To tap into the strengths of the University, HKBU has established four overarching research clusters in key areas of excellence that cover Creative Media and Practice, Health and Drug Discovery, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Humanities and Cultures, translating its research excellence into tangible benefits, with positive impact for the community and the development of Hong Kong, the nation, the region and the world.

About Hong Kong Ballet

One of Asia's premier ballet companies, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is internationally recognised as a vibrant arts institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Established in 1979 and led by Artistic Director Septime Webre since 2017, HKB has a dynamic repertoire performed by nearly 50 dancers from all over the globe, with celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong.

HKB stands out as a dynamic Hong Kong cultural ambassador, sharing its unique repertoire and style with audiences in Europe, North America, Mainland China and Asia. With over 50 international tours since its founding, this year HKB will have performed or presented immersive works in Macau, Venice, New York, London, Seoul and Shanghai. HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all.

Website: hkballet.com
Facebook: @hongkongballet
Instagram: @hongkongballet

About Studio Wayne McGregor

Studio Wayne McGregor is the creative engine for choreographer and director Sir Wayne McGregor. It encompasses his ensemble of world-class dancers, Company Wayne McGregor; a portfolio of international commissions and artistic collaborations across genres including dance, visual arts, VR, film, fashion, theatre, and opera; a highly specialized programme of creative learning for individuals and communities; artist development initiatives; and collaborative research projects across the interface of the arts with science, technology and academic research.

Studio Wayne McGregor has an unparalleled reputation for transformative approaches to how dance is taught, learned and talked about. Learning and engagement projects are carefully devised to reflect the professional artistic processes that McGregor uses with his own company in the studio, ensuring that all who participate in our projects experience cutting edge, high quality practice. The focus always lies in empowering individuals to develop their own creative skills, and all of the programmes are underpinned by continued scientific research into movement and creativity, innate human properties which have been a fascination in McGregor's creative thinking for more than three decades.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Ballet and Studio Wayne McGregor Join Forces in Interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer with Avant-Garde Art Tech x Dance Choreographic Installation at Venice's Biennale Danza 2025

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With 2025 nearing its end, a new economic direction is emerging in Korea's policy landscape. After a year marked by weak demand, rising costs and heightened global uncertainty, the focus is shifting from short-term stabilization toward a broader reassessment of how the economy supports innovation, regional competitiveness and fair-market rules. A year-end policy review, together with the government's 2026 blueprint, points to a deliberate effort to position small and midsize firms at the center of the country's next phase of growth.

2025: When Policy Moved Out of the Office and Into the Economy

The policy environment in 2025 was shaped by sluggish domestic consumption, tighter global financial conditions, and mounting external pressures, including trade uncertainty and rising costs for small businesses. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) pursued a dual strategy: stabilizing the economy in the short term while laying the groundwork for a renewed cycle of innovation-driven growth.

Reviving domestic demand was an immediate priority. Large-scale, cross-government consumption initiatives – most notably the nationwide Korea Grand Festival – were rolled out to boost spending in local markets and traditional commercial districts. Expanded digital gift-certificate programs and targeted rebate schemes reinforced these efforts, generating more than KRW 14.1 trillion (USD 9.5 billion) in consumer activity. The impact was tangible, contributing to the strongest quarterly increase in private consumption in three years.

At the same time, MSS moved to restart innovation engines that had stalled in earlier years. Funding for SME research and development, which had previously been sharply reduced, was restored and expanded, paving the way for a record KRW 2.2 trillion (USD 1.5 billion) allocation in 2026. The launch of a new Startup One-Stop Support Center further addressed regulatory, legal, and operational bottlenecks, resolving the vast majority of cases within days of submission and improving policy responsiveness on the ground.

Market indicators reflected this renewed momentum. By the third quarter of 2025, quarterly venture investment had reached KRW 4 trillion (USD 2.7 billion), the highest level in four years. SME exports also set a new quarterly record, totaling USD 30.4 billion over the same period – an outcome that underscored the sector's resilience despite continued global headwinds.

Equally important, MSS strengthened the institutional foundations for fair competition and inclusive growth. Legislative reforms reinforced protections against technology theft, expanded profit-sharing frameworks, and improved payment practices between large corporations and their SME partners. These measures contributed to record levels of SME-linked transactions and signaled a deeper embedding of fair-trade and shared-growth principles across the industrial ecosystem.

A Strategic Pivot in 2026: Growth, Scale, and Market Leadership

Building on the stabilization achieved in 2025, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' 2026 policy blueprint marks a structural shift in Korea's approach to SME and startup development. The central objective is to restore a clear pathway for growth – enabling firms to move from startup to scale-up, and from small and medium-sized enterprises to globally competitive companies.

At the heart of this shift is a recalibration of policy design. Rather than applying uniform support across the board, companies will be assessed based on growth potential and performance trajectory, with policy tools tailored accordingly. High-growth firms will receive more concentrated support in areas such as investment and research and development, while companies facing structural constraints will be guided toward business transformation, restructuring, or, where appropriate, an orderly exit.

This differentiated approach is intended to operate across the full SME ecosystem. Startups and venture firms will be supported not only at the point of entry, but through successive stages of scale, with targeted financing and accelerated growth programs designed to produce competitive global firms. Manufacturing SMEs will be positioned at the forefront of industrial AI adoption, with a focus on productivity gains and international competitiveness. Small merchants, meanwhile, will receive performance-based support that encourages innovation while maintaining essential safeguards for business continuity and resilience.

Expanding the Growth Base: From Capital Concentration to Nationwide Opportunity

A defining feature of the 2026 strategy is a decisive move away from capital-area concentration toward a more geographically balanced growth model. Policy support for regional ecosystems is set to more than double, underpinned by revised budget allocations, higher support ratios, and expanded region-specific funding designed to activate local innovation and investment.

By 2030, the government aims to develop ten regionally anchored startup hubs across the country. Rather than standalone facilities, these hubs are intended to function as integrated growth platforms – linking business infrastructure, skilled talent pipelines, commercialization support, and livability factors that make regions viable places to build and scale companies. Complementing this effort, regional venture funds – targeting a cumulative KRW 3.5 trillion (USD 2.3 billion) by the end of the decade – will provide a stable investment base, while cross-regional regulatory sandboxes are expected to ease structural constraints on expansion.

The objective is explicit: by 2030, half of Korea's innovative SMEs are expected to be headquartered outside the capital area, up from less than 40 percent today.

A Data-Driven, Demand-Centric Support System

Policy delivery is also being overhauled to reflect how firms actually seek and use government support. A new Integrated SME Support Platform will serve as a single digital gateway, allowing businesses to identify relevant programs, receive AI-based recommendations, and apply through a simplified, one-stop process.

As processes are digitized, administrative requirements are expected to fall by more than half. At the same time, data-driven assessments of firm performance and growth potential will play a larger role in shaping public financing, bank lending, and venture investment decisions – helping align policy support more closely with actual market demand.

These changes point to a broader shift in policy philosophy. Rather than substituting for the market, government is repositioning itself as an enabler – reducing friction, improving information flows, and allowing private-sector decision-making to operate more effectively.

Toward a Private-Capital Led Venture Investment Ecosystem

One of the most ambitious elements of the 2026 agenda is the move toward a venture investment ecosystem led primarily by private capital. Government commitments to Korea's Fund of Funds will increase significantly, but the role of the public sector is explicitly defined as catalytic – designed to draw in private investors rather than steer capital directly.

New institutional arrangements will enable pension funds and retirement savings to participate more actively in venture through dedicated structures that incorporate built-in risk-sharing. In parallel, regulatory adjustments are expected to lower barriers for banks engaging with venture assets, while long-underdeveloped secondary markets will be strengthened to improve exit options and capital circulation.

These reforms are intended to support the emergence of an annual venture investment market approaching KRW 40 trillion (USD 27 billion) – one driven largely by market participants, with public policy focused on expanding participation and removing structural constraints.

What is unfolding in Korea is not simply a recalibration of SME policy, but a broader attempt to reshape how growth is generated and sustained. By shifting attention toward smaller firms and regional ecosystems, the government is signaling a belief that competitiveness in the next decade will be built through adaptability, innovation, and market depth rather than scale alone. Whether this approach succeeds will ultimately be determined in the marketplace – but the strategic direction is now clear.

 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Why Korea Is Betting Its Next Growth Cycle on Small and Midsize Firms