CityUHK inaugural 10AFEST spotlights Asian art-tech and cultural innovations

21 Oct 2026

Guests, speakers and participants of 10AFEST 2026 gather at CityUHK, celebrating the Gallery’s 10th anniversary.

Organised by the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery (the Gallery) of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), 10AFEST 2026 was held from 8 to 10 October. Marking the Gallery’s 10th anniversary, the inaugural conference focused on “Asian Art-Tech & Cultural Innovations,” convening museum leaders, artists, scholars, and innovators to explore cross-disciplinary collaboration and the real-world impact of art-tech on Asian culture.

The three-day conference welcomed around 120 participants from 13 countries and regions. The programme featured four East–West Plenary Dialogues, presented under the CityUHK Distinguished Lecture Series and six Network Presentation tracks, alongside performances, installations, exhibitions, and networking activities across CityUHK and local partner venues.

Speakers deliver insights and engage in dynamic discussion.

Connecting knowledge, art, and technology

Across Asia, technologies like artificial intelligence, extended reality, data science, and digital media are transforming how culture is preserved and experienced. Art-tech is shifting rapidly beyond conventional gallery walls into education, research, entrepreneurship, conservation, and direct community engagement.

Mr Chin welcomes participants to 10AFEST 2026 and highlights the importance of international collaboration in advancing art-tech and cultural innovation.

Mr Charles Chin Ying-on, Council Treasurer of CityUHK, said, “International collaboration lies at the heart of our mission to address global challenges. Through intercultural dialogues and interactive networking events, I am confident that participants will forge lasting friendships and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. As CityUHK continues to advance its mission of innovating into the future, 10AFEST exemplifies how art and technology can come together to inspire new ideas and create a positive impact on society.”

Four East–West dialogues on culture and innovation

Presented as part of the prestigious CityUHK Distinguished Lecture Series, these sessions paired distinguished cultural leaders from contrasting institutional and geographic backgrounds to explore how organisations navigate technological shifts and evolving public expectations. The four key plenary sessions focused on:

(De)globalisation and (Re)connectivity: Professor Kyong Park, Founder of New York’s StoreFront Gallery and Professor Matthias Böttger, Professor and Head of HyperWerk at the Basel Academy of Art and Design, examined the changing impact of globalisation and cross-border engagement.
Legacy, Diversity, and Interdisciplinarity: Professor Lu Xiaobo, Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts at Tsinghua University and Monsignor Alberto Rocca, Director of Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan, discussed how institutions can preserve historical legacy while embracing diversity and interdisciplinary practices.
University Museums and Experiential Learning: Professor Jin Jun, Professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) and Director of CAFA Art Museum and Dr Luke Syson, Director of Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, examined the changing role of university galleries and their contribution to whole-person education.
Digital Museology and Intangible Collection: Mr Hing Chao, Founder of Hong Kong Cultural Festival, and Ms Cora Würmell, curator of the State Art Collections Dresden, investigated the future use of advanced technologies like XR and AI in conservation.

Experts exchange ideas on art, culture, technology and innovation.

Celebrating a decade of interdisciplinary exchange

Since its inception in 2016, the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery has served as a dynamic platform at CityUHK, bridging the humanities and sciences through transformative exhibitions.

Mrs Banga delivers remarks at 10AFEST 2026.

Mrs Indra Banga, Founding Patron and Honorary Chairperson of the Gallery’s Advisory Committee, concluded, “Over the past decade, Harry and I shared a vision with CityUHK to support a pioneering platform that brings together art, culture, technology and research. Today, the Gallery has grown into a vibrant hub for learning and discovery, connecting talent and ideas from Hong Kong and around the world. We are delighted to reaffirm our continued support for the Gallery and the University.”

This successful inaugural festival has only opened the door to dialogue, and CityUHK looks forward to fostering even deeper global connections, meaningful collaborations, and expanding engagement with the Gallery in the years to come.