On October 1, 2023, the M511 Light and Shadow Hub officially opened its doors in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, unveiling a state-of-the-art audiovisual space that features three standout projects: the 8K immersive experience “Deep Space Future,” the VR exhibition “Eternal Notre-Dame,” part of the China-France Cultural Year, and the environmentally themed musical “Tea Without This Person.” This initiative aspires to fuse light, technology, and art, heralding a new era of digital entertainment in Zhejiang.
The M511 venue, situated at 511 Xixi Road in Hangzhou, has a rich history as a former film warehouse for Zhejiang Film Company, serving as a testament to the illustrious past and aspirations of the region’s cinematic landscape over the last seven decades. It encapsulates the nostalgia and vision of local filmmakers.
We had the opportunity to speak with Lin Liang, the Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Zhejiang Cultural Industry Investment Group. Lin shared his views on how to harness historical and cultural assets through innovative technologies, products, and services to craft a new model of urban cultural tourism integration. “We strongly believe that content is king, but we also understand the importance of form. Our commitment lies in deeply exploring cultural heritage, nurturing creativity, and enhancing the transmission of culture. Right now, we’ve rolled out three main themed projects: ‘Deep Space Future,’ ‘Eternal Notre-Dame,’ and ‘Tea Without This Person.’ Looking forward, we aim to keep innovating in content, settings, and operations, reinforcing the cohesive functioning of cultural spaces through what we call the ‘Zhijiang Model,’” he elaborated.
Using the “Eternal Notre-Dame” VR exhibition as a prime example, Lin highlighted how this project artfully recreates the splendor of Notre-Dame Cathedral. By wearing VR headsets, participants can become time travelers, experiencing the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures through an engaging mix of virtual and real-world encounters.
The project collaborates with top global VR technology firms to develop an “immersive VR experience space for classic IPs.” Furthermore, partnerships with entities like the Zhejiang Ancient Architecture Design Institute and the cloud-based wooden toy initiative “Yunhe” allow for a unique interdisciplinary exhibition called “Thus is Tradition.” This innovative fusion of ancient architecture with modern technology provides consumers with fresh opportunities for engagement.
At the launch event, the “Future Laboratory” innovation community was formally established. The Zhejiang Cultural Investment Group has plans to collaborate with universities and businesses to evolve the M511 Light and Shadow Hub into an innovation factory that fosters creativity through the integration of industry and education.
Importantly, the flexible design of M511 allows for rapid transformation into a variety of environments, such as technology museums, art galleries, black box theaters, amusement parks, and future schools, maximizing audience interaction.
In closing, Lin Liang stated, “We are determined to uphold international standards and aim to be at the forefront of addressing the cultural needs of the public. Our vision is to create engaging cultural experiences where history comes to life, stories invite participation, cultural artifacts are tangible, and lives can be shared, thereby offering new cultural opportunities for both residents and visitors.”
