What can light do human beings apart from lighting up streets and public facilities? Ever since a coincidence in 2010, I have formed ties with Dongcheng District, together with artists, organized a festival that combined art and technology. Now it is the 4th year of this event.

“Switch on Beijing” is not the face of a project led by a single design company. There’s no construction company and government funding behind it. This festival is purely an original cross-disciplinary art event, combining reflection on humanity, technology attempts and applications of new materials. Each year, the Ditan Park becomes the place where designers and artist freely express their dreams and hopes.

” First Day” is the theme of the festival in 2013, originating from a belief based on the end of the Mayan calendar. On 21st Dec. 2012, many people more or less had fears deep down in their hearts and reflected on their life. After that day, normal life resumed and people came back to their daily routine. This “First Day” seemed to be a story that could never happen in an adult’s life. Yet, who can be so sure about what tomorrow would be like?

If no one knows the future, what we can grasp is today; if today is the first day, then aren’t the sun, the moon, trees and people new to us?

Start off from the “First Day” we seek for our brand new selves.-- Tewa Srilaklang, Curator