Speaker: Dr Ng Ni Na Camellia
Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Venue: HRH, The Education University of Hong Kong
Abstract
When the Sunbeam Theatre took its final bow on 3 March 2025, it didn’t disappear—it went digital. Today, a stunning VR experience lets you wander its stage, admire its 108 vintage bubble lights, and examine the calligraphy of opera legends like Hung Sin Nui, all preserved in exquisite 720‑degree detail. The curtain hasn’t fallen; it has opened in a new dimension.
This lecture celebrates how technology is giving our heritage a second act. It explores how animation doesn’t just capture the brushstrokes of Farewell at Lychee Bay—it invites new generations to experience its emotion. Cantonese opera, a UNESCO Intangible Heritage, now lives beyond physical stages, reaching audiences who have never set foot in Kennedy Town.
From virtual theatre tours to digital painting archives, the talk argues that we are not replacing our culture, but extending its lifespan—making it more accessible and ensuring that what we love does not fade away. The future of heritage is not merely preserved; it is interactive, immersive, and alive.
Speaker Biography
Dr Ng Ni Na Camellia is an Assistant Professor in Sociology and Faculty Affiliate in History at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. She specializes in Chinese art history and museum studies, and holds a Ph.D. from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
Dr Ng integrates art technology into her research and teaching. She was commissioned by the CUHK Art Museum to create Where Tradition Meets Animation: “Lychee Bay Farewell”, an animation that brings a Qing Dynasty ink painting to life through the fusion of traditional aesthetics and modern anime storytelling.
She also contributes to the “Sunbeam Project,” led by Prof. Hui Yew Foong, which focuses on digital preservation of cultural heritage. Her numerous publications explore Chinese art, cross‑cultural studies, and curation, and at Shue Yan, she teaches courses such as Art and Society and Art History of China, bridging cultural heritage with digital media.