Exhibition “Writing Natural History” Opens at the University of Chicago Center in Beijing

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

On October 24, 2025, the University of Chicago Center in Beijing hosted the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Writing Natural History,” curated by Professor Tang Keyang, Chief Researcher at Tsinghua University’s Future Laboratory and doctoral supervisor at the School of Architecture and the Academy of Arts and Design. The event brought together artists, scientists, and scholars from various disciplines to explore the evolving relationship between art, science, and the idea of “nature” in the age of artificial intelligence.

In his opening remarks, Professor Tang—also an alumnus of the University of Chicago—reflected on the serendipity of the exhibition’s timing. “Today, we bid farewell to a great scientist who once studied here,” he noted. “Our exhibition resonates deeply with his lifelong interest in the dialogue between art and science.” He emphasized that the exhibition seeks to create “contextual” conversations rather than static displays, staying true to the spirit of the university and the academic dialogue it fosters.

The exhibition originated from a simple idea: to invite a few artists and scientists to discuss how “nature” might be represented today. Yet as the project evolved, it became clear that even a small “slice” of natural history cannot exist in isolation. The resulting exhibition thus reflects the dynamic intersections between technological advancement and humanistic inquiry, between artistic imagination and scientific observation. “We found that the exhibition should embody the very process of its own making,” Tang remarked. “Dialogue itself—between people, ideas, and objects—became the true subject of the show.”

“Writing Natural History” features works by Liu Dan, Jia Aili, Fang Juanwei, Shang Liang, and others, alongside scientific contributions from research teams led by Zeng Yi (UCAS), Yu Li (Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences), and Xia Qianchen (Tsinghua Future Laboratory). The exhibits range from ink paintings and contemporary installations to bio-scientific imagery and digital artworks, offering a pluralistic exploration of how “nature” continues to be written, interpreted, and reinvented.

Reflecting the exhibition’s evolving nature, visitors are invited to leave their thoughts, suggestions, or even creative works, which may become part of the ongoing display. “Your participation will literally shape the exhibition,” said Tang. “It is a living dialogue—an evolving natural history.”

The opening concluded with a wine reception, where guests continued lively exchanges on the convergences of art, science, and the human condition. The exhibition will run from October 24 to December 31, 2025, open Monday to Friday, 9:30–16:30, at the University of Chicago Center in Beijing. Admission is free.