Shining Shanghai 2025: A Global Call to Illuminate Stories of Home

Globe and Mail

25-06-2025

Shanghai, China--(Newsfile Corp. - June 25, 2025) - The third edition of the "Shining Shanghai" (Jing'an) International Light Art Open Call officially launched on May 1, 2025. Now in its third consecutive year, this global open call returns with the theme "Luminescent Roots: Stories of Home." Artists are invited to transform building facades into storytelling canvases through projection mapping.
Architecture is more than bricks and concrete—it carries the spirit of artists' origins and connections. Artists are encouraged to explore projection mapping as a powerful visual language, illuminating their physical homeland—whether a country, city, or town—or their spiritual homeland shaped by culture, memory, and identity. By translating local DNA into poetry of light, artists can bring static spaces to life and spark vibrant cultural dialogues.
The concept submission stage extends to July 5th, 2025, at 11:59 PM (UTC+8). Shining Shanghai welcomes artists from around the world to showcase their creative voices through projection mapping. Awards include one Gold Award of 250,000 CNY (approx. 30,000 EUR), one Silver Award of 100,000 CNY (approx. 12,000 EUR), three Bronze Awards of 50,000 CNY (approx. 6,000 EUR), and fifteen Finalist Awards of 20,000 CNY (approx. 2,400 EUR). For full details, visit the official website and follow @shining_shanghai on Instagram for updates.
This year's offline exhibition returns to Shenyuli, a historic Shikumen-style neighborhood in Jing'an District, Shanghai. Blending traditional Chinese courtyard living with Western architectural elements, Shenyuli reflects the city's cultural identity. For artists, it offers more than a projection surface—it's an opportunity to connect history, space, and emotion through light.
In just two years, Shining Shanghai has become China's most influential international projection mapping event. The inaugural edition featured over 60 global teams, drew 1.3 million onsite visitors, and reached more than 2 billion online views. In 2024, 151 submissions were received from 27 countries, with global media exposure reaching over 5 million people. Notable participants have included award-winning artists from iMapp Bucharest and Fête des Lumières in Lyon. Jury members span the fields of art, academia, and media, ensuring a diverse and professional review process.
Join Shining Shanghai to illuminate the city's architecture and share your story through the universal language of light—bringing creativity and culture to life.