Press Release

HKBU and London ETO of HKSAR Government present landmark reception which brings together leading institutions to explore the commercialisation and global potential of art tech

Thursday, 22 January 2026

 

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) presented Pulse of the Pearl: The Business of Avant-Garde Hong Kong Reception on 19 January in London. This vibrant reception further validates HKBU’s groundbreaking collaborative project, Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth (OTOE), which showcases HKBU’s commitment to driving art tech innovation and fostering global cultural exchange. It also spotlighted advances in art technology, explored commercialisation pathways and highlighted investment opportunities in art tech.

The reception was supported by Invest Hong Kong and the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Government of the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and Arts Council England. HKBU, as a pioneer in blending art, technology, and transdisciplinary research, presented its cutting-edge art tech ventures to global investors, industry leaders and cultural practitioners.

OTOE is the world's first post-cinematic choreographic installation, co-produced by HKBU, Hong Kong Ballet (HKB), and Studio Wayne McGregor (SWM). This groundbreaking installation had its world premiere at the Biennale Danza, July 2025, and was featured at the Venice Immersive (“The Best of”) at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. It is currently touring in London.

Distinguished guests at the reception included Miss Fiona Chau, Director-General of London ETO; Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU; Professor Sir Wayne McGregor, Artistic Director of SWM; Mr Septime Webre, Artistic Director of HKB; and Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU. Representatives from Invest Hong Kong, the HKTDC, creative industries and cultural organisations around the globe also attended, fostering new dialogues on cultural exchange and future collaborations.

Speaking in her welcome remarks at the reception, Miss Fiona Chau highlighted that OTOE exemplifies Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West hub for international cultural exchange. She also remarked that OTOE, a collaboration between HKBU, HKB and Studio Wayne McGregor, showcased Hong Kong’s ability to foster collaboration between arts and cultural institutions and global artistic talent.

In his welcome remarks, Professor Alex Wai emphasised that OTOE exemplifies how cultural development can be empowered with digital and intelligent technologies to expand the boundaries of artistic expression, and be fully aligned with the strategic direction of the National 15th Five‑Year Plan. He expressed that the vibrant ecosystem of HKBU startups also demonstrates significant commercial potential and contributes to the nation’s vision of cultivating outstanding cultural enterprises.

Professor Andreas Kratky, Director of the Academy of Visual Arts of HKBU, moderated an engaging panel discussion with Professor Sir Wayne McGregor, Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of the Academy of Visual Arts and Director of the Visualization Research Centre of HKBU, and Mr Septime Webre, to examine how artistic vision meets technology to shape the future of performance.  They shared their perspectives on the business potential at the nexus of art and technology, the role of international collaboration in driving global impact, and HKSAR’s position in advancing culture and creative industries.

The event also showcased the portfolio of HKBU art tech startups and knowledge transfer infrastructure in art tech: CHRYSALIS – HKBU Art Tech Incubation Hub.  Professor Terence Lau reiterated the transformative potential where art and innovation intersect, showcasing how ventures like OTOE are redefining creative frontiers while charting routes towards sustainable value creation and cultivating new ecosystems.

Professor Jeffrey Shaw, representing HKBU startup Immersive Unlimited Limited, and Mr Raymond Chan, Assistant Director of the Institute for Innovation and Translation of HKBU, introduced the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in driving business endeavours, from film production to cultural and healthcare projects. They shared the dynamic landscape of art tech innovation, the commercialisation journey, and the investment opportunities that Hong Kong offers.

About Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth (OTOE)

The pioneering OTOE cultural performance leverages the immersive nVis installation developed by Professor Jeffrey Shaw, which is funded by ITC of the HKSAR Government under the HK$35.4 million “Future Cinema Systems: Next-Generation Art Technologies” project. OTOE began its global journey of artistic innovation and knowledge transfer in Venice in July 2025, and will return to Hong Kong at Tai Kwun in summer 2026, after London this winter.

Staged at Stone Nest, London, OTOE refracts, evolves and reimagines dance performance in a startlingly original new form within the radically immersive cylindrical, 360-degree stereoscopic LED cinematic screen work set by Professor Jeffrey Shaw and Professor Sarah Kenderdine, Visiting Professor of the Department of Computer Science at HKBU. Created in collaboration with artists Ravi Deepres and Theresa Baumgartner, and combining dance, choreography, digital imaging, multimodal sensing, AI, and spatialised sound, McGregor transports his audience in a thought-provoking, otherworldly encounter. 

OTOE  breaks the fourth wall as visitors are invited into the heart of the dance, connecting in close contact with the hyperreal dancers of Company Wayne McGregor and HKB in a physicalised sound environment designed by Invisible Mountain.

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Miss Fiona Chau, Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (middle); Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU (4th left); Mr Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet (3rd right); Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU (3rd left); Professor Sir Wayne McGregor, Artistic Director of Studio Wayne McGregor (2nd right); Ms Rebecca Marshall, Executive Director of Studio Wayne McGregor (1st right); Professor Michael Ng, Dean of Science and Chair Professor in both Mathematics and Data Science of HKBU (1st left); Professor Andreas Kratky, Director of Academy of Visual Arts of HKBU (2nd left); Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of Academy of Visual Arts of HKBU (4th right).
Miss Fiona Chau, Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London, delivers welcome remarks. 
Professor Alex Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, delivers welcome remarks.
Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer of HKBU, shares HKBU knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship highlights.  
(From left) Professor Andreas Kratky, Director of Academy of Visual Arts of HKBU, moderated a panel discussion with Professor Jeffrey Shaw, Chair Professor of Academy of Visual Arts of HKBU; Mr Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet; and Professor Sir Wayne McGregor, Artistic Director of Studio Wayne McGregor.
HKBU and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London of the Government of HKSAR hosted "Pulse of the Pearl: The Business of Avant-Garde" Hong Kong Reception.