A recent lighting art showcase at the Communication University of China (CUC) highlighted the achievements of the “Campus Asia” international joint workshop, an education program supported by China’s Ministry of Education. The event exemplified  CUC’s hands-on teaching philosophy, “Campus as a Grand Stage,” in real practice.

Lighting art a universal visual language, has become a key medium for international communication. Supported by AI-powered creative methods,  participants explored immersive storytelling and multi-dimensional cultural expression. The showcase featured a dynamic, walk-through performance experience, demonstrating CUC’s strengths in integrated practice teaching, international communication and cultural innovation.

Night tour showcase at CUC [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

International collaboration creates new paths for Asian education synergy

Led by CUC’s Undergraduate School and jointly organized by the School of Theater, Film and Television and the School of Animation and Digital Arts, this year’s Night Tour built upon  the innovative teaching model from the first China–Thailand workshop in 2024.

The workshop included participants from CUC, Silpakorn University in Thailand, the Islamic University of Indonesia – Yogyakarta, and Maranatha Christian University in Indonesia. Seven schools from these three countries  collaborated to explore AI-supported digital art creation rooted in traditional Asian cultures.

Through a combined model of “online joint teaching – offline field creation – final showcase and promotion,” the program experimented with digital technology to present traditional culture, fostering a sustainable  framework for international education.

Students and teachers working in Thailand [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cross-disciplinary collaboration deepens practical teaching

Nearly 60 teachers and students from nine majors at CUC participated, covering areas such as cultural research, spatial planning, visual and lighting design, stage and performance creation, AIGC-based video production, music and interactive design, cultural product development, and on-site operations.

In a real project environment, students  transcended disciplinary boundaries, following a  comprehensive model of “project-driven learning – team collaboration – public presentation.” The showcase highlighted CUC’s latest achievements in talent development and artistic creation in the AI era.

Group photo of the CUC team [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Multiple art forms illuminate shared Asian stories

During the three-month hybrid workshop, participants from China, Thailand and Indonesia collaborated under the theme “Coexistence and Integration.” Drawing inspiration from traditional cultures of the three countries, the teams used light as a core medium to create works ranging from installation art and digital projection mapping to AIGC interactive visuals and immersive dance performances.

The showcase first opened in Bangkok on September 15, followed by a three-day tour at CUC from September 24 to 26. The project was also  featured in the Traditional Culture Digital Art Exhibition at Beijing’s Summer Palace from October 31 to November 5. These events highlighted CUC’s commitment to exploring new possibilities in international art education.

Bangkok showcase [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Though the lights fade, the spirit of education continues

The deep collaboration among students and teachers from the three countries, the interdisciplinary work across various schools, and the creative blending of traditional culture with digital art formed the emotional core of this event.

By using the campus as a stage, the Night Tour transformed familiar spaces into interconnected cultural scenes, integrating art into daily life. For many students, the workshop provided a valuable hands-on problem-solving experience in real-world settings, fostering significant growth and demonstrating the power of connecting art with society.Although the lights eventually dimmed, they illuminated a path of teaching innovation that emphasizes practice, creativity and responsiveness to contemporary needs. From this campus showcase, CUC students are stepping onto a broader international stage.

Group photo of participants at the Thailand opening showcase [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]