Overview

In the new round of urban planning, the Huangbian community that houses the museum is under renovation to be the Design Capital of Guangzhou, one of the largest industrial clusters of design in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Undergoing a process of swift gentrification, how would the museum and art witness, engage in and respond to such a zealous social transformation?

Banyan Commune is a unique phenomenon of community life and civil culture in southern China, a gathering place traditionally served as a community centre for the neighbourhood. The Banyan Commune is a community art project initiated in 2016, which space has witnessed the seasonal changes, day-and-night alternate of the surrounding neighbourhood while serving as the window for connecting the museum to public.

The artist will act as a host of this temporary public space, using the Huangbian neighbourhood as research subject to foster continuous dialogue, understanding,and communication about the actual context of the museum. Reflecting on the role of the contemporary art museum in a residential community while constructing organic relations between the institution and the surrounding place, Banyan Commune intends to generate a trace for the ever-changing region of South China in the process of urbanisation.

The Banyan Commune welcomes proposals by local and international artists and collectives for bi-annual, month-long residencies. Proposed projects should be visual, participatory, and public engaging in nature, including installation, video, sounds, performance,and events among others.