Multiple connected buildings with one common animation have emerged as a new type of media facade design. This development is especially visible in China, where some of these light shows were launched in connection with important national and inter- national political events. Though many studies analyzed single media facades, the research of large groups of media facades is rare. Therefore, this paper introduces this development in the context of cultural tradition and urban design in China and discusses the meanings with regard to delivering identity, political communication, branding for tourism, night-time economy and sustainability. The findings suggest that the local building tradition, urban design history as well as the local political system are essential factors for the significant rise of connected media facades in metropolises in China. The results lead to the conclusion that the Chinese government has the authority to control the urban night-time design by using light shows to enhance local as well as national identity and present technology leadership. Further on, the urban light shows are a medium to stimulate the night-time economy. Sustainability and investment costs are critical factors regarding the acceptance of large-scale media facades.

1. Media scapes in China
The empire of
fi
gures transforms into connected media facades
Thomas Schielke and Lin Ma Image: Traxon e:cue

2. G20 Summit in Hangzhou, 2016 BRICS Summit in Xiamen, 2017
40th Anniversary in Shenzhen, 2020
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit
in Qingdao, 2018
Launch of media facade light
shows for political events

3. Ideal city as an entity
Wangcheng, Sanli tu
Entity linked to large scale
Shenzhen, 2018
Image: Traxon e:cue

4. A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains by Wang Ximeng (Section), 1113
Shenzhen, 2018
Image: Traxon e:cue Thinking in panoramas

5. Music concert
Paris La Défense - Une Ville En Concert, 1990
Daily light show with various lighting concepts
Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong since 2004
New architecture with four buildings
City of Dreams, Macau, 2009
World record with 293 buildings
Nanchang, 2015
History of urban light shows

6. Neoclassic facade ornaments. Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, 1865
Luminous ornaments. Fuzhou, 2020
Image: Fuzhou City Construction
Connection through ornaments

7. First large media facade
show for international
event: G20 Summit
Hangzhou, 2016
Xi Jinping’s state visit in
the United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, 2020
The power of politics
Cancellation of art on
media facade due to
diplomatic crisis:
Countdown Machine
Hong Kong, 2016
Cancellation of New Year
light show due to political
crisis
Hong Kong, 2019

8. New York: Giant luminous billboards
Las Vegas: From age of neon to giant LED screens
Technological shift from USA to China
China: Skyscraper skyline covered with media facades
Image: Traxon e:cue

9. Media facade analysis for light show in Hangzhou, 2017

10. Ecological impact
Image: Light pollution map, VIIRS 2020

11. Media scapes in China
The empire of
fi
gures transforms into connected media facades
Thomas Schielke and Lin Ma Image: Traxon e:cue