About Me
Maurice BENAYOUN
Artist, theorist and curator, Maurice Benayoun (MoBen, 莫奔) is a pioneering figure in the field of New Media Art. MoBen’s work freely explores the boundaries of media, encompassing video and virtual reality, interactive, mobile, urban media and large-scale public art installation. MoBen’s ’s work has been exhibited and awarded (Golden Nica Ars Electronica 1998…) in many major international museums.
Elaborating on the concept of Critical Fusion applied to all art in public space, Maurice Benayoun produced all over the world significant urban media art projects. He initiated the Open Sky Project on the ICC Tower Hong Kong media facade. MoBen is currently Professor and PhD Program coordinator a the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. The region's first such institution, the SCM was founded to nurture a new generation of interdisciplinary srtists and creative media professionals, and to develop new ideas and technologies for the creative industries in Hong Kong, mainland China, and abroad.
Open Sky Campus
2014
錄像
Video
Open Sky Campus, initiated by Professor Maurice Benayoun, School of Creative Media (SCM) of the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) between 2014 and 2016, was the collaboration with International Commerce Centre (ICC) of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP). It is designed to open up new opportunities for emerging media artists to produce context specific artworks for display on ICC’s massive urban display. Each semester, MFA students enrolled in the Interactive Media course at School of Creative Media will submit their creations and the works that are selected by the curatorial committee will be exhibited as a part of ICC's regular programme.
Professor Maurice Benayoun said: “Our students’ works are debuting on the largest urban screen in the world. In a sense our campus has expanded by 77,000 square metres, offering students more room to unleash their creativity. For a work to get chosen for showing, it has to be interesting and meaningful, and to make the most of the tower’s massive walls. Creations should also fit in the structure of ICC and be in harmony with the environment, which is very difficult. We are pleased to see our students mastering the complexities and creating animations that show energy and innovation.”
Professor Jeffrey Shaw, the former dean of SCM said: “We are delighted that CityU students’ artworks can be displayed on the largest urban screen in the world. We hope the projects will not only enrich the urban environment of Hong Kong but also push the boundaries of what is possible with large-screen urban display systems.”
Ms Cris Fung, General Manager (Retail Marketing and Customer Relations) of the Leasing Department at SHK, commended CityU’s School of Creative Media for nurturing artistic talent. “ICC collaborated with SCM to organise the ‘Open Sky Campus’ project, representing our direct support for the development of arts and culture. By this, we hope to encourage creative and talented students to innovate and transcend themselves, and create the best works for the public to enjoy.”
The general public could view these innovative urban media artworks from along the promenade from Central to Wan Chai. The best views, with the original sound, are available from the P3 and P4 public terraces at the IFC Mall.