Beijing Green Kicks Off at Australian Embassy for Beijing Design Week

An elaborate lightshow by Australian artist Matthew Joscelyne kicked off Beijing Green’s multimedia installation project, “Beijing Green” in collaboration with Beijing Design Week last night at the Australian Embassy.

To start, touching nature scenes (we're talking cute seals, sweeping canyon views – that sort of thing) played out on the Embassy's wall with a soundtrack by the Beijing International Chamber Orchestra, setting the stage for a large, glowing earth to be carried across the courtyard to meet a LED-paneled "Earthsphere"

Beijing Green’s presentation aimed to get its audience thinking about the environment in the wake of Beijing Design Week, which will be the platform for several eco-related projects, including the "Eco Air Bubble" from Interactive Beijing and "Plan Together" and "Fishbo" from designers at Tsignhua University. Check back on our blog tomorrow for more on these and other events on sustainability and Beijing's environmment.

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Earlier this year, Beijing Green hosted a private, three-day event where they cast a green glow on Tai Miao Temple in the Forbidden City. Joscelyne announced that the organization’s goal for next year is to host a week-long festival where they illuminate a few more of Beijing's major temples, including Yuetan, Ritan and Ditan, as well as the Great Wall.

The event garnered the support of the Australian Ambassador to China, Frances Adamson, and was made possible through the work of 158 volunteers. BJDW officially launches Thursday, September 26 at the China Millennium Monument from 4.30-7.30pm, and we hear the Earthsphere will be making yet another dramatic appearance.

Photos: Jessica Rapp