As the moon rose above the West Lake, in Hangzhou of Zhejiang province, on the last day of 2022, 10 paddle boats sailed to the center of the lake immersed in a mood of serenity.

On each boat stood a digital screen which showed configured images of natural and urban scenes created by an artist. The light installations echoed with the bright moon and welcomed the arrival of the first rays of 2023. This public art event, titled The Reconfiguration of Landscape, was the warm-up of an artist residency program now opened to young artists around the world and offering residence opportunities in 10 destinations across the country. Cities involved include Chengdu, Sichuan province, Leishan, Guizhou province and Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regions, among others.

People interested can submit their plans and ideas for the program online by February 28, ideas should cater to the history and cultures of the selected place, while also embodying an international perspective and experimental spirit. The list of finalists will be announced in early March, and the residency will last between three to ten days, from March 15 to June 15.

Wang Sha, who initiated the program, says it is to inspire thoughts on integrating cultures and discussions on the values of nature and cultures to urban life, and as life returns to normal, the activity aims to reignite people’s love of nature and imagination of life.