Tag Archives: ART

NetEase Games Held the “2023 Games Unbounded” Conference in Cologne, Germany

COLOGNE, Germany, Aug. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The “2023 Games Unbounded” NetEase Games Conference was held in Koelnmesse, Cologne on August 23rd. At the conference, NetEase Games announced updates to its International Business Plan for NARAKA: BLADEPOINT and Where Winds Meet, and invited industry veterans to discuss the current landscape and to consider potential opportunities and challenges both current and future.

There have been many high-quality titles produced by Chinese developers coming to the fore in recent years. As a leading global developer and publisher with multiple local studios, NetEase Games continues to embrace brilliant game creators both in China and around the world. NetEase Games has empowered several game developers to create titles with traditional cultural background settings and elements. NARAKA: BLADEPOINT and Where Winds Meet are two such titles that have received great global attention. These titles were both showcased at the conference.

Senior marketing director of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, Riten Huang introduced some of the game’s achievements including global e-sports tournaments. He also announced the official launch of the 2023 World Championship. The Qualifying rounds will take place in six major regions worldwide in October, with the finals to be held in China in December.

Senior Marketing Director of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, Riten Huang
Senior Marketing Director of NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, Riten Huang

The lead producer of Where Winds Meet from Everstone Studio, shared the latest design of in-game buildings and architecture based on actual Northern Song Dynasty historical sites and documentaries. The Wuxia-style setting, narrative, skills, and combat combine to express the unique concept of Chinese martial arts. A co-research and co-creation project to enhance player experience is also in progress. The producer further revealed the game’s co-testing schedule with the developers in Montreal, Canada in September.

Cord Eberspaecher, Former German Director, of the Confucius Institute at Dusseldorf and Heinz Hermanns, President, Interfilm Berlin discussing Where Winds Meet
Cord Eberspaecher, Former German Director, of the Confucius Institute at Dusseldorf and Heinz Hermanns, President, Interfilm Berlin discussing Where Winds Meet

About NetEase Games

NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES and HKEX:9999), is a leading global developer and publisher of video game IP across a variety of genres and platforms. NetEase Games’ development and publishing slate include titles such as Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, Knives Out, and Naraka: Bladepoint, and partnerships with major entertainment brands such as Warner Bros and Mojang AB (a Microsoft subsidiary). NetEase Games also supports the growth and development of its innovative global studios in Canada, Europe, Japan and the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.neteasegames.com/

ViewSonic Presents the 4th ColorPro Awards: “RISE” to New Heights in Photography and Videography

BREA, Calif., Aug. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — ViewSonic Corp[i], a leading global provider of visual solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 4th ColorPro Awards. A celebration of artistic expression and innovation, this year’s global visual arts competition takes the theme of “RISE,” inviting participants to soar to new creative heights as they capture their moments of transformation. This year’s edition widens its creative scope beyond photographs to embrace videos as well, offering new possibilities for creatives to express their vision. From August 15th to September 24th, 2023, participants can submit their entries to compete for prizes exceeding US$20,000 in value. Additionally, participants can take part in the Social Media Lucky Draw for a chance to win the ColorPro VP2756-2k monitor.

The theme “RISE” symbolizes transformative power, inviting participants to explore narratives of growth, achievement, empowerment, and resilience within. Whether conveyed through striking photographs or compelling videos, the theme offers artists a platform to captivate and inspire their audience with their visual storytelling. Notably, industry leaders SHOOTERS, PANTONE®, Capture One, Calibrite, and Shoot The Frame will collaborate, not only to host workshops and promotional activities during the Awards, but also as esteemed members of the judging panel.

“Last year, we achieved a remarkable breakthrough by transforming the ColorPro Awards into a global visual arts competition, welcoming more partners and creators into our vibrant global community,” stated Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. “As we venture into the 4th ColorPro Awards with the new theme ‘RISE’ and the introduction of the Videography category, we aim to inspire and empower creators worldwide to pursue their moments of transformation, urging them to explore uncharted territories and achieve their artistic ‘RISE.'”

Alongside the cash prize, winners will receive top-of-the-line ViewSonic ColorPro monitors, specially designed for creative professionals seeking true color accuracy and remarkable performance. Winners will also receive a suite of products and memberships designed to optimize their creative workflows. These include Capture One perpetual licenses, color management products courtesy of PANTONE® and Calibrite, and exclusive memberships from Shoot The Frame.

A distinguished panel of internationally acclaimed photographers and videographers will meticulously review the submissions, ensuring impartiality and acknowledging excellence in artistic expression.  The submitted artwork will be evaluated by the panel considering its storytelling, aesthetics, creativity, relevance to the awards theme, and technical execution.

Amongst the panel are four ColorPro ambassadors and creators, invited to share their narratives of “RISE.” Luke Stackpoole captures the theme through awe-inspiring photography of natural wonders, as seen from his drone during his global explorations. Photographer Jack Harding associates the concept of “RISE” with a shoot in Madeira, Portugal. Following a four-day wait for clear weather, the sunshine ignited the clouds, painting the sky with stunning colors and casting a beautiful light over the landscape. Requiring patience, this precise moment marked the culmination of the shoot.

Filmmaker JustKay presents his unique perspective on rising against the odds and confronting the unknown. His compelling short film “Take a Leap of Faith” vividly captures the turning point of his life when he chose not to attend college, bravely abandoning the conventional path to pursue his dream wholeheartedly. Echoing the theme of “RISE,” filmmaker Alice Greenfield beautifully intertwines her love for swimming with her narrative. She conveys the solace she finds in the ocean – a rejuvenating space that clears her mind and empowers her to rise and face each day with renewed vigor.

ViewSonic ColorPro aims to inspire and encourage artistic growth worldwide. Through offering a platform for creators to share their unique visions, ColorPro provides a space for artistic expression to flourish. The ColorPro Awards stand as a testament to ViewSonic’s commitment to empowering creators and nurturing emerging talents in photography and videography.

For more details about the ColorPro Awards 2023, please visit: https://www.viewsonic.com/colorpro/event/colorproawards2023/

To participate in the Social Media Lucky Draw, follow the steps outlined in the official ColorPro Instagram (@colorpro).

[i] ViewSonic International Corp., located in New Taipei City, Taiwan, is the host and sponsor of the contest. ViewSonic International Corp. is a subsidiary of ViewSonic Corp., located in California, USA.

About ViewSonic 
Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, pen displays, commercial displays, All-in-One LED displays, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 35 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers “See the Difference.” To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com

ViewSonic Presents the 4th ColorPro Awards: "RISE" to New Heights in Photography and Videography. Submission is open from August 15 to September 24.
ViewSonic Presents the 4th ColorPro Awards: “RISE” to New Heights in Photography and Videography. Submission is open from August 15 to September 24.

Source: ViewSonic Corp.

Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023

Aesthetic design with a motif of placenta jar and lotus, reflecting the brand’s origin as a secret method of royal family

SEOUL, South Korea, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Goongbe, Korea’s representative kid brand, has won in the beauty and healthcare category for packaging at iF Design Award 2023, a global design award.

Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023
Representative K-kid brand Goongbe wins at iF Design Award 2023

The award-winning product, Pri-mmune, which belongs to Goongbe’s baby line, was designed with a motif of placental jar (a jar used to store umbilical cords) and lotus. In the Joseon dynasty, the placental jar symbolized the health and longevity of prince, while the lotus represented the strength of life that blooms immaculately even in muddy conditions. The design received high acclaim for effectively conveying the aspiration for the health of babies.

Goongbe began from a secret method employed by the royal family in the Joseon dynasty, where babies were bathed on the third day of birth in water brewed with peach tree, apricot tree, and mulberry. Patented ingredient Royal Oji Complex™[1], a blend of ceramide, amino acid and polyphenol, provides hydration, enhances the skin’s barrier function, and offers soothing benefits.

The product is made without any allergens designated by the FDA and the EU. It features a fragrance that is registered with the FEMA of the US and has passed a stringent skin irritation test.

Goongbe officials said, “With Pri-mmune, we intended to deliver the brand philosophy of cherishing all babies as those in the royal family.”

Goongbe has won at Korea’s National Brand Award for five consecutive years and at Korea’s no.1 beauty app award in 2022 for three times, speaking volumes about its market position in the K-kid skincare market.

Its premium image and remarkable product capability are gaining popularity in international markets, as well. It won the “new brand award’[2] at Tmall Global, China’s largest e-commerce platform, and ranks first[3] in the kid sunscreen category at Tmall Brand Zone, leading the kid sunscreen category. At SASA Hongkong, the largest H&B store in Asia, it ranked first[4] in the entire baby sunscreen category. The eight items of Pri-mmune Baby are registered with National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA) as kid skincare cosmetics, with proven expertise and safety as kid skincare products.

[1] 2020. 04~2021. 03

[2] 2020. 04~2021. 03

[3] 2020.02~06, 2020.08~09, 2020.11, 2021.03~04, 2021.06, 2021.08, 2021.09~11

[4] 2020.02~06, 2020.08~09, 2020.11, 2021.03~04, 2021.06, 2021.08, 2021.09~11

Artmarket.com: according to our long-term data, art made in 1964 has generated more auction turnover than art made in any other year of the 20th century


PARIS, June 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — May’s auction results in New York showed that after all the records set by the Paul G. Allen, Anne H. Bass, and Thomas Ammann collections, 2023 began with relative sobriety. In an interview with journalist Amy Shaw for the Art Newspaper at Art Basel, art dealer Dominique Lévy said he detects the presence of a “clear correction”. Artprice takes this opportunity to review the acceleration of the art market since the beginning of the 21st century, via a quick look at the works that the market values the most.

Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting
Photo – https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/artmarket-com-according-to-our-long-term-data-art-made-in-1964-has-generated-more-auction-turnover-than-art-made-in-any-other-year-of-the-20th-century-2.jpg 

Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting
Auction turnover (2000-2022) by year of creation in painting

“The analysis of auctions results is a fascinating way to examine the evolution of Art History”, explains thierry Ehrmann, President of Artmarket.com and Founder of Artprice. “Our databases, have collected objective and comprehensive Fine Art auction data for more than 30 years from all over the world. They therefore provide an extraordinary tool for studying the appetites of collectors and revealing what our contemporaries value the most”.

The triumph of Pop Art

In 1964, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Ed Ruscha were at the peak of their careers and these four artists all have auction price records for works created that year, in the midst of the Cold War, just a few months after the assassination of President J.F. Kennedy. These records, to which must be added more than thirteen thousand other auction results for artworks made that year, make 1964 the year-of-creation that generated the greatest volume of auction turnover in the period 2000 to 2023 (twenty-two years), all creative periods combined: $2.48 billion.

Having fetched the second best art auction result of all time at $195 million on 9 May 2022 at Christie’s in New York, Andy Warhol’s Shot sage blue Marilyn (1964) is now a sort of figurehead for that year (1964). Although from a market perspective the previous two years were just as important for Warhol, 1964 is also remembered in the art world for another reason: in 1964 Robert Rauschenberg won the Grand Prize at the Venice Biennale. Indeed, promoted by Leo Castelli (and perhaps even supported by the CIA), in 1964 Pop Art imposed itself in the art world thereby consolidating a significant shift of art (and the art market) to the West… a transfer of power from Paris to New York on the international scene. The way this transfer came about has been the subject of intense discussion.

Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964 
Photo – https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/artmarket-com-according-to-our-long-term-data-art-made-in-1964-has-generated-more-auction-turnover-than-art-made-in-any-other-year-of-the-20th-century.jpg

Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964
Top 15 auction prices for artworks produced in 1964

Abstraction, Pop Art and Expressionism

In the mid-1960s, several major artists of the first half of the 20th century were still creating important works. Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, and René Magritte were still active. In Asia, Li Keran and Fu Baoshi were perpetuating the art of traditional Chinese painting by giving it very personal touches of modernity, while in Europe Zao Wou-Ki and some of his compatriots were exploring Lyrical Abstraction. In England, a new generation was making its mark: David Hockney was 27 in 1964, Frank Auerbach was 33 and Lucien Freud was 42. They were just at the beginning of their careers, but that year Francis Bacon, aged 55, painted some of his best portraits.

In the United States, Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Willem De Kooning, and Clyfford Still were still exploring Abstract Expressionism and Jackson Pollock had passed away a few year back, while a new artistic revolution was emerging: Pop Art. It was this movement that truly imposed America on the international art scene and the international art market. The works themselves were often brilliant and eye-catching but they also often contained covert or less-covert criticism of the American dream. In France, Pierre Soulages has already painted his best canvases, but a new Expressionist scene was beginning to emerge in Germany, with Gerhard Richter and Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, and Anselm Kiefer, among others. Their work unfolded over many years and therefore did not produce the same concentration of market value as the American Pop Art movement.

The success of this movement was notably due to a relatively small number of series of works on which collectors focused heavily, and these series were created by the great names of American Pop Art and were generally worked and reworked for a few years… around 1964.

Sources

Art Basel may be busy, but cautious sales reflect a complex market picture, Amy Shaw, The Art Newspaper, le 15 June 2023.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/06/15/art-basel-may-be-busy-but-cautious-sales-reflect-a-complex-market-picture

1964: Pop Art arrives in Europe, a betrayal as seen from France, Thomas Snégaroff, France Info, 2 October 2015.
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/histoires-d-info/1964-le-pop-art-debarque-en-europe-une-trahison-vue-de-france_1788541.html

Market analysis of works created by the Warhol-Basquiat duo exhibited at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Artprice, 25 April 2023
https://www.artprice.com/artmarketinsight/works-co-signed-by-jean-michel-basquiat-and-andy-warhol-are-currently-showing-at-the-fondation-louis-vuitton-in-paris

Images:

[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image1-1964-artmarket-com-auction-turnover-by-year-of-creation-in-painting.png]
[https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2023/06/image2-1964-artmarket-com-top-15-auction-prices-artw Roy Lichtenstein orks-produced-in-1964.png]

Copyright 1987-2023 thierry Ehrmann www.artprice.comwww.artmarket.com

About Artmarket:

Artmarket.com is listed on Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 – Bloomberg: PRC – Reuters: ARTF.

Discover Artmarket and its Artprice department on video: www.artprice.com/video

Artmarket and its Artprice department was founded in 1997 by its CEO, thierry Ehrmann. Artmarket and its Artprice department is controlled by Groupe Serveur, created in 1987.

See certified biography in Who’s who ©: Biographie-thierry-Ehrmann_WhosWhoInFrance.pdf

Artmarket is a global player in the Art Market with, among other structures, its Artprice department, world leader in the accumulation, management and exploitation of historical and current art market information in databanks containing over 30 million indices and auction results, covering more than 817,000 artists.

Artprice by Artmarket, the world leader in information on the art market, has set itself the ambition through its Global Standardized Marketplace to be the world’s leading Fine Art NFT platform.

Artprice Images® allows unlimited access to the largest Art Market image bank in the world: no less than 180 million digital images of photographs or engraved reproductions of artworks from 1700 to the present day, commented by our art historians.

Artmarket with its Artprice department accumulates data on a permanent basis from 7200 Auction Houses and produces key Art Market information for the main press and media agencies (7,200 publications). Its 7.2 million (‘members log in’+social media) users have access to ads posted by other members, a network that today represents the leading Global Standardized Marketplace® to buy and sell artworks at a fixed or bid price (auctions regulated by paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article L 321.3 of France’s Commercial Code).

Artmarket, with its Artprice department, has twice been awarded the State label “Innovative Company” by the Public Investment Bank (BPI), which has supported the company in its project to consolidate its position as a global player in the art market.

Artprice by Artmarket’s Global Art Market Report, “The Art Market in 2022“, published in March 2023: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2022

Artprice releases its 2022 Ultra-Contemporary Art Market Report: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2022

The Artprice 2022 half-year report: the art market returns to strong growth in the West: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/global-art-market-in-h1-2022-by-artprice-com

Index of press releases posted by Artmarket with its Artprice department: https://serveur.serveur.com/artmarket/press-release/en/

Follow all the Art Market news in real time with Artmarket and its Artprice department on Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom/ (over 6.3 million followers)
twitter.com/artmarketdotcom
twitter.com/artpricedotcom

Discover the alchemy and universe of Artmarket and its artprice department https://www.artprice.com/video headquartered at the famous Organe Contemporary Art Museum “The Abode of Chaos” (dixit The New York Times): https://issuu.com/demeureduchaos/docs/demeureduchaos-abodeofchaos-opus-ix-1999-2013

Contact Artmarket.com and its Artprice department – Contact: Thierry Ehrmann, ir@artmarket.com

The Right Earbuds for Lady Girls — Baseus AirNora 2


Baseus AirNora 2 is Winner of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023.

HONG KONG, June 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Leading consumer electronics brand Baseus’ new exclusive earbuds, the AirNora 2, have won the 2023 iF Design Award, the Oscars of industrial design.


The charging case, with its candy-colored velvet texture, is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical. It comes equipped with a built-in mirror, making it an ideal companion for ladies who need a quick makeup touch-up on the go. Furthermore, the earphones themselves are incredibly lightweight, providing a comfortable and barely-there feel — Make-up Mirror Wireless Earbuds for Lady Girl.

Exclusive Fit for Women Ear Shape

AirNora 2 is tailored to fit women users’ ears, weighing only 0.15oz, and with a  mini-yet-secure design for a snug and secure fit even wearing them for a prolonged period. This attention to detail is crucial, as discomfort or irritation can quickly kill the buzz even with the best features and sound quality.

Smooth & Stable Connection 

Featuring the latest Bluetooth 5.3, Baseus AirNora 2 ensures the utmost experience without connection stability issues whether listening to one’s favorite song, or having a phone call. According to Baseus, connection stability is crucial as any flaw will ruin the entire experience, no matter how amazing the sound quality or how immersive the experience could be.

In addition, Bluetooth 5.3 offers an instant pairing as quick as the lid is opened after the initial pairing, and reduces power consumption as well.

3D Listening Immersion

The -42dB ANC active noise canceling filters out ambient noise right out of the charging case, whether users’ are taking public transportation, in a coffee shop, or anywhere surrounded with unwanted noise. It also features BISA Baseus Intelligent Spacial Audio, a technology self-developed by Baseus providing a concert-like 3D augmented listening immersion as if the entire band were performing right in front.

Moreover, the AirNora 2 of course supports fast charging in an hour, multipoint connection, “find by buds” on Baseus App, a style dedicated to female customers, and a giftable packaging, making it an ideal gift for someone special in your life.

About Baseus

Baseus is a consumer electronics brand founded in 2011 bearing in mind “Simple for More”, creating seamlessly practical and aesthetic products for young tech enthusiasts. It integrates design, research and development, as well as production and sales. For more information, please visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C4T4SYZS

Media Contact:
Name: Roy Liao
Phone: +1 213-512-7063
Email: pr@baseus.com

SHEIN X Incubator Program to Recruit 500 New Aspiring Designers and Artists in the U.S. in 2023

Inaugural SHEIN X Design Summit gathered hundreds of designers and artists for showcases, panels and networking opportunities with fashion industry experts as SHEIN looks to onboard 500 more to the SHEIN X program in the U.S.

LOS ANGELES, April 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday, April 1, SHEIN, the global e-retailer of fashion, beauty and lifestyle products, hosted the company’s first-ever SHEIN X Design Summit, which gathered hundreds of artists and designers, as well as industry leaders, at City Market Social House in Los Angeles, California. The event celebrated independent designers and encouraged them to leverage the company’s flagship incubator program, SHEIN X, to take their businesses to the next level, no matter their level of experience. Since the program’s launch, 1,500 aspiring designers from the U.S. have been empowered through SHEIN X, and the company is looking to onboard 500 more in the U.S. in 2023.

Marisa Runyon, Laura Kim, Maeve Reily, LaQuan Smith, Gary Wassner (Photo Credit: Virisa Yong/BFA.com)
Marisa Runyon, Laura Kim, Maeve Reily, LaQuan Smith, Gary Wassner (Photo Credit: Virisa Yong/BFA.com)

“The idea for this summit came from SHEIN X designers themselves,” George Chiao, SHEIN’s U.S. president, said at the event. “We’re always looking for feedback from our designers, and several wanted an educational opportunity where they could come together, get to know one another, and learn more about how to build their brands – all while having some fun. We hope we delivered on that today, and we’ll continue to identify ways to empower SHEIN X designers and improve their experience with the program.”

The day-long summit featured designer-dedicated programming and networking opportunities, including panels with LaQuan Smith, designer and founder of LaQuan Smith; Laura Kim, co-creative director at Monse; Maeve Reilly, celebrity stylist; Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corporation; Evette, co-founder of Act of Faith and founder of EXO Cosmetics; Racquel Natasha, influencer, designer and founder of Natasia swimwear; and Josephine Skriver, model and co-founder of JOJA. There was also a performance from The Future X, where the group announced each member will be partnering with a SHEIN X designer to launch their own capsule collection on SHEIN’s platform.

Attendees onsite had the opportunity to connect with stylists, merchandisers, buyers, influencers and other industry professionals, including top performing SHEIN X designers Armand Medhiri, Kenya Freeman and Valerie Campbell of Freak City, who shared their personal experiences with the program and advice for other aspiring creatives.

“Keep going, keep going, keep going,” said Freeman, who launched her first collection with SHEIN X in 2021. “For me, my career has been a long road, with a lot of twists and turns, but when you wake up each day and know you’re doing what you’re here to do, there’s nothing like it. The SHEIN X program has opened so many doors for me, and I’ve never been more excited for what’s ahead.”

More than 20 SHEIN X designers from around the world also showcased their personal collections at the summit. Following the showcase, SHEIN X designers Danielle Brion, Veronica Diaz Montalvo and Jade Breyon were chosen for a previously announced mentorship opportunity with Kim, while SHEIN X designer Francesca Lazzari was chosen for a mentorship program with Reilly.

From just seven designers when the program launched in January 2021, the SHEIN X incubator program has grown to almost 3,000 designers globally, launching more than 25,000 original creations. SHEIN has invested more than $55 million into the program and guides participants through the end-to-end process, from product development, to manufacturing, to marketing and supply chain logistics. Importantly, SHEIN X designers maintain ownership rights to their SHEIN X designs. Since the launch of SHEIN X, SHEIN X artists and designers around the world have earned over $5 million in commission from the sale of SHEIN X products.

All of the SHEIN X Design Summit panels were livestreamed on the SHEIN app, as well as SHEIN’s official Instagram and TikTok accounts. Video recordings of the panels can be found below and photos from the summit can be found here.

Panels:

ABOUT SHEIN

SHEIN is a global fashion and lifestyle e-retailer committed to making the beauty of fashion accessible to all. We use on-demand manufacturing technology to connect suppliers to our agile supply chain, reducing inventory waste and enabling us to deliver a variety of affordable products to customers around the world. From our global offices, we reach customers in more than 150 countries. To learn more about SHEIN, visit www.SHEINgroup.com.

The 7th Design Intelligence Award Global Ceremony – 2022 Award Ceremony & 2023 Call for Entry Launched

SHAOXING, China, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The 7th Design Intelligence Award (DIA) Global Ceremony – 2022 Award Ceremony & 2023 Call for Entry was held in Zhejiang province, China on the evening of March 12. The winners of the highest award – the Gold Award were IFBOT X3 Solar Panel Cleaning Robot from Suzhou Ifbot Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and the Pangu Drug Molecule Model to Accelerate Drug Discovery with AI from Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.


At the ceremony, the China Academy of Art (CAA), the international designer organizations connected by DIA, Chinese and foreign art academies and digital technology and advanced manufacturing firms jointly launched the International Design Intelligence Union (DIU).

On April 9, 2022, the 7th DIA kicked off globally. Themed “Design Collaboration”, the award aimed to break the barriers to the growth of people, things and the world and establish a new international integration relationship, attracting considerable attention and numerous participants in the design sector and beyond. The 7th DIA received 8,010 entries from 70 countries and regions worldwide. In particular, the DIA focuses on implementing the “DIA Design United Nations Program”. Now, it has international work offices in 13 countries and 12 sub-contest areas, which have pooled 600 experts in many fields from nearly 37 countries/regions in its innovative talent bank. At the Award Ceremony, 322 award-winning works were announced, and the top 29 design works competing for the Gold Award, Silver Award, and Copper Award from the Product Group as well as the Future Talent Award and Young Talents Award from the Concept Group were highlighted.

On the occasion of the 8th Anniversary of DIA, the China Academy of Art, the international designer organizations connected by DIA, Chinese and foreign art academies and digital technology and advanced manufacturing companies jointly launched the DIU. Adopting a vision on high-quality innovation and development in the new era and upholding the principles of “openness, innovation, collaboration and sharing”, DIU pursues the ultimate goal of “focusing on the industry, embracing the world and shaping the future”. Driven by smart and information technologies for the integration of art, technology and business, DIU promotes the integration and innovation of smart designs and attracts diverse participation in collaborative innovation between “governments, enterprises, universities research institutes and end-users”, thus creating an exchange and synergy platform with global influence, building a cross-sectoral network that deeply integrates design innovation into intelligent manufacturing, advancing industrial upgrades and social progress.

Ifbot, the developer of the Gold Award winner IFBOT X3 Solar Panel Cleaning Robot, pioneers the concept of “PV intelligent cleaning robot”. It includes the design of a “crawler-type” mobile sucker for the cleaning of PV arrays. The vacuum PV cleaning robot is free of the many demerits of traditional cleaning equipment, such as heavy weight, poor portability, inconvenient deployment and short battery life. This product has broken the constraints of established concepts and redefined the portable PV cleaning robot. Being small in size, light in weight, smart and eco-friendly, it is capable of waterless cleaning. It is a PV cleaning robot accessible to thousands of households.

Pangu Drug Molecule Model to Accelerate Drug Discovery with AI, another Gold Award winner, is a platform to assist researchers in accelerating drug research and development with AI. With the strong computing power supported by the cloud and AI model, it makes the whole process of drug R&D visible and perceptible. Its multi-dimensional visual designs improve the readability of complex medical data. Powered by computer simulation technology and molecular dynamics, the product can minimize the knowledge and skills required for researchers. The intelligent recommendation of medical knowledge map and path record design enable scientific research and exploration to be more efficient, and the saved path records of research become visual and traceable.

The 2023 Call for Entry of the 8th DIA concurrently commenced with the core theme of “Design Evolution”. The evolution of design represents the evolution of human life, and design evolution is not only the qualitative change of practices but also the evolution of values and design thinking patterns. With the ongoing interconnection of tech and design concepts, design has shifted from satisfying basic needs to creating new needs and from independent existence to integration. In an ever-changing era, the 8th DIA invites designers around the world to explore and reveal new forms of design evolution amidst the ongoing evolution of the world.

Design firms, design teams, employed designers, independent designers and young designers can submit their entries before the deadline of June 30, 2023 (24:00, UTC+8) at DIA website (www.di-award.org ). Participants will have an opportunity to grab a share of the RMB 5 million award fund. Winners will receive a prize of up to RMB1 million. In an ever-changing era, the 8th DIA invites designers around the world to explore and reveal new forms of design evolution amidst the ongoing evolution of the world.

Promoting Chinese culture to the world

BEIJING, March 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from chinadaily.com.cn:

Ma Xiaolin, member of the 14th CPPCC National Committee and director of Henan Museum, is dedicated to the protection and revitalization of cultural relics. Over the years, he has been submitting proposals on heritage preservation and utilization, as well as developing innovative approaches to introduce traditional culture to people’s everyday lives.

For this year’s two sessions, he proposes to promote Chinese cultural heritage to the world with the support of the overseas Chinese community.

Watch the video to find out more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tllJIrlVNZo

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/promoting-chinese-culture-to-the-world-301762792.html

WHERENESS hopes to unleash potential of 360° media for virtual tours.

KYOTO, Japan, Feb. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Kyoto-based design studio ACTUAL Inc. (Headquarters: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. CEO: Yuki Tsuji) is releasing a new cloud service WHERENESS that will enable any user to create and share 360° virtual tours and experiences. The service was designed for museums and cultural attractions but is already finding a wider range of users. The official website launched earlier this month and a beta version of the WHERENESS application will follow this spring.

WHERENESS official website:  https://whereness.io/en

About WHERENESS

WHERENESS is a web-based cloud application that enables users to transform 360° media into interactive tours and experiences, with no special skills required.

After uploading any 360° media, users can plot a route for visitors to follow using the simple editing tools. Users can also embed text and two-dimensional images in the 360° space as they recreate an experience virtually.

WHERENESS works in a web browser and all data is saved in the cloud, meaning it can be accessed from anywhere with no locally stored files. Simultaneous online editing in teams is also being added as a feature.

Once edited, virtual experiences can be shared via URL and accessed through the web browser on any device such as a smartphone or PC. WHERENESS also supports sharing within closed groups and is the only service of its type to include paid ticketing options.

By enabling users to edit, host and share virtual experiences in the cloud, WHERENESS offers an unprecedented way for any cultural organization or physical location to simultaneously archive and share its story with the world.

Background to the Launch

Worldwide there are currently more than 100,000 art museums (*1), 2,000 art festivals, and 296,000 galleries. Using an approximate measure of frequency (*2), this produces a total of around 1.95 million exhibitions held each year. Most of these exhibitions will be dismantled after a few weeks or months, with no way to preserve the experience for future generations.

In 2017, ACTUAL Inc. joined an exhibition archive project called ART360° (Art Three Sixty) that proposes a future in which past events and artistic works are recorded and available for playback using 360° media.

One reason 360° video archiving has yet to become widespread is the high cost of production. ACTUAL Inc. realized that by lowering the cost of editing, storing and distributing 360° media, it could give more people richer ways to experience the past. These experiences can change the lives of people in the present and even improve our world today. This realization led to the development of WHERENESS.

*1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1201800/number-of-museums-worldwide-by-region/
*2 Based on 8 annual exhibitions per art museum; 10 exhibitions per art festival; 4 annual exhibitions per gallery.

WHERENESS: An Overview

Three standout features of WHERENESS make it especially suitable for cultural organizations of all sizes:

Support for 360° video

Most applications for creating virtual tours (e.g. Street View) allow users to record and share still images only. WHERENESS enables users to upload 360° video so that experiences can include a time axis – ideal for installations and performances.

Simplified workflow

Most 360° video files are heavy and require long wait-times and high processor-power when editing. WHERENESS enables users to edit files in the cloud and export files more quickly, reducing time spent editing by around 75% while also cutting costs.

Income from ticket sales

Applications for creating virtual tours are typically designed for the real-estate market and offer no way to charge viewers for access. WHERENESS includes paid ticketing options for virtual museum tours and in future will enable actual sales of artworks and other objects in virtual space, creating additional income streams for users.

Homepage: https://whereness.io/en 

Service Availability

A Beta release is scheduled for spring 2023. WHERENESS is now accepting enquiries from potential Beta users.

Future Developments

Following a beta release of WHERENESS in spring 2023, there are plans to implement VR headset support, team management functions, timeline pop-ups, and audience analysis and reporting functions as these become necessary.

ACTUAL Inc. is also seeking the following partners:

  • Video production companies which already offer 360° recording, or are considering it.
  • Creators who already use 360° recording, or are considering it.
  • Manufacturers and distributors seeking to cooperate in developing sales channels.

Link to contact form: https://whereness.io/en

About ACTUAL Inc.

ACTUAL Inc. brings together the real and virtual worlds, with 360° recording at the center. Through innovations such as WHERENESS and SMART NOH THEATER, the studio proposes new types of cultural communication and human encounters.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whereness-hopes-to-unleash-potential-of-360-media-for-virtual-tours-301755309.html

Source: ACTUAL Inc.

The 6th Guangzhou Award Now Open for Application

GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On February 23, the launch ceremony of the 6th Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) was held in Barcelona, Spain during the 2023 United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Retreat and Campus. At the meeting, UCLG, World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis) and Guangzhou City jointly announced the call for submissions of the 6th Guangzhou Award. Mr. Deng Changxiong, Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee, Ms. Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of UCLG, and Mr. Jordi Vaquer, Secretary General of Metropolis, attended the meeting and delivered speeches.


Mr. Deng read out a congratulatory message from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) in his speech. “The CPAFFC is willing to work with the governments of all cities to support the UCLG and the Metropolis to play a greater role, and continues to make good use of international platforms such as the Global Mayors’ Forum and the Guangzhou Award to create opportunities for cooperation and development among global cities.” 

Ms. Emilia Saiz, and Mr. Jordi Vaquer highly appreciated the achievements and contributions made by Guangzhou in actively promoting international exchange and cooperation among cities and fostering the innovative development of global cities, and expressed their continued unwavering support for the development of Guangzhou Award.

Co-sponsored by the City of Guangzhou, the UCLG and the Metropolis, the Guangzhou Award aims to recognize innovation in improving social, economic, and environmental sustainability and good urban governance in cities and regions and, in doing so, to advance the prosperity and quality of life of their citizens. So far, five cycles have been held, attracting over 1,300 initiatives worldwide. It has become a global platform for city-to-city learning and the documentation, dissemination, and analysis of the local implementation of global agendas including SDGs and the New Urban Agenda (NUA).

The 6th Guangzhou Award is now calling for participation from all cities and local governments around the world with ongoing or recently completed initiatives, including those that are implemented in collaboration with private and civil society partners. Please learn more about the detailed guidelines on: http://www.guangzhouaward.org/The6thGuangzhouAward?lang=en