Sector: Arts and Culture

Art form or genre: Architecture, Visual arts, Design, Other: Interactive digital media

Country location: China

Grantee: University Of New South Wales

Project Description

MAD.LAB studio is a fourth year Bachelor of Design Honours Research Project run by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in China. In 2016, MAD.LAB is partnering with Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (Chongqing) to participate in the Beijing Design Week (BJDW) with the aim of promoting, strengthening and consolidating young Australian and Chinese creatives and Australian Design Education.

Recent years have seen a pause in China's real estate rollout and a reset to a 'new-normal' of more sustainable development. The previous "catch-up" phase of China's growth - including greenfield development and mass construction - is now guided by bottom-up policies that support consumer economies, entrepreneurialism, start-ups, service industries, brownfield regeneration and the re-purposing of buildings.

MAD.LAB@BJDW will present the outcomes and proposals as a pop-up exhibition using an immersive mix of large format print, video content on LED screens, and architectural models. This project will include a forum for academic, industry and public engagement with the themes of new urbanism and creative industries-led regeneration that are central to MAD.LAB's vision.

MAD.LAB@BJDW will also contribute to the Australia@BJDW forum and will explore the role of design in the urban environment and as it relates to bigger issues (e.g. innovation, environment) and showcasing the talent and skills of future designers in a global context.

Social Media: https://twitter.com/_madlab_, http://www.unsw.edu.au

Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program: $14,943 plus $1,453 GST

Australia-China Council grant offer: $20,000 plus $2,000 GST

Total project value: $35,000