K11 ECOAST kicks off 2nd cultural fest with art, dialogue and more

The second edition of the K11 ECOAST Cultural Festival By the Sea officially kicked off Saturday, transforming Shenzhen’s waterfront into a vibrant hub where art, performance, and community conversation meet.

Visitors explore an art market during the K11 ECOAST Cultural Festival By the Sea in Shenzhen on Saturday. Photos courtesy of K11 ECOAST

Building on the success of its inaugural run, this year’s festival expands its offerings across four key pillars: art exhibitions, international performances, trendy bazaars, and meditative music. The goal is to bring in a more globally minded lineup while appealing to a wider range of cultural tastes.

Art works on display in “Symmetric Garden,” an exhibition of South Korean sculptor and installation artist Kim Byoung-ho.

The opening ceremony took place at the K11 HACC, marking the start of a festival that promises to be as thoughtful as it is lively. A major highlight is the debut solo exhibition of renowned South Korean sculptor and installation artist Kim Byoung-ho. Titled “Symmetric Garden,” the show features over 30 works and marks the artist’s first solo exhibition in South China.

Kim’s work is known for its mechanical precision, restraint, and rational aesthetic — qualities he believes are deeply embedded in modern urban life. “These elements are not things I invented,” Kim explained. “They already exist in our cities, in our times. Compared to rural areas, cities—especially sprawling metropolises — tend to feel more mechanical, minimalist, and geometric. Shenzhen is a city with that very quality.”

He hopes visitors will look beyond the organic forms they’re naturally drawn to. “I want people to pay attention to the geometric, the flat, the linear — things that already surround us. And to see how I, as an artist, interpret these elements and transform the rational spirit of the city into works of art.”

South Korean sculptor and installation artist Kim Byoung-ho (4th L) joins artists and and industry experts during an “Art Dialogue” session at the K11 ECOAST Cultural Festival By the Sea in Shenzhen on Saturday.

On opening day, the festival also hosted an “Art Dialogue” session under the theme “Shenzhen Culture Unfolding: Where Sensibility Meets Rationality.” The open discussion explored the interplay between contemporary urban life, public art, and the role of coastal spaces, adding yet another layer to the city’s evolving cultural identity.

Since its first edition, the K11 ECOAST cultural festival has earned a reputation for bringing standout international performances to Shenzhen, including the French contemporary dance piece “Opening” and the celebrated Dutch theater production “Floating Diva.” This year’s program continues that tradition, offering a mix of immersive experiences that invite visitors to see, hear, and engage with the city in new ways.

Children take part in an art therapy experience during the K11 ECOAST Cultural Festival By the Sea in Shenzhen in 2025.

Whether you’re drawn to thought-provoking art, live performances, or simply a stroll along the waterfront with a creative spark in the air, the festival offers a welcome reminder that culture — much like the city itself — is always in motion.