Chongqing - On June 3, the 2026 Graduation Exhibition Thematic Day of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SFAI) kicked off at the Huangjueping Campus. Centered on the core theme “Grounded Growth: Artistic Innovation Taking Root in the Neighborhood”, the event featured multiple sections, including the “Neighborhood Living Room,” “Campus Concert,” “Creative Market,” “Dean-Guided Exhibition Tour,” “Industry-Education Collaboration Exchange,” and the “Beyond Time” drone light show.
Creator of Sound Game (Photo by Xuelin Mu)
One of the standout features of the graduation exhibition was its commitment to serving the public and integrating the local community into the artistic process. At the Huangjue Post House in the neighborhood, local residents and shop owners gathered alongside students and teachers from SFAI to engage in a thoughtful discussion about the role of art in everyday life. A particular art installation in the Post House captured everyone’s attention. Titled Sound Game, the installation transformed ordinary daily objects—such as a water bottle, a beer bottle, various vegetables and fruits, a telephone, and more—into a functional piano keyboard, capable of producing beautiful melodies. The installation was created by an SFAI student, who explained that all the items were collected from the surrounding neighborhood. Residents noted that their community has become more appealing and dynamic since SFAI students became involved in its artistic design.
Inside the Contemporary Art Museum on the Huangjueping Campus, a total of 334 undergraduate works and 13 graduate works were put on display. The exhibited works reflected an understanding of urban texture and a response to local needs, embodying the academy’s consistent commitment to serving social development.
This set of artworks raises the public's awareness of the rare disease, Fabry Disease (photo by Xuelin Mu)
What’s notable were two special exhibition areas: the “Industry-Education Integration Lab” and the “Digital Exploration Studio.” Art is not confined to aesthetics but also serves practical needs. The Industry-Education Integration Lab focused on showcasing university-industry collaborative projects and their practical achievement. For instance, a set of artworks depicting cooperation between SFAI students and Chongqing Medical University was created to raise public awareness of rare diseases. These works directly served the practical needs of society.
The Digital Exploration Studio showcased the integration of art creation with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, focusing on creating an independent, immersive digital entertainment space. It was not merely an entertainment space but also a digital lab for dialogue, reflection, and co-creation, demonstrating the vast potential of public art in the virtual world.
Drone light show (photo by Xuelin Mu)
At night, a fleet of 300 drones took to the sky over Huangjueping for a light show, bringing the day’s events to a close. The 2026 Graduation Exhibition Thematic Day has transformed the entire Huangjueping neighborhood into an immersive art-action site, integrating art into the local neighborhood’s daily life and infusing warmth into the urban fabric.