Cultural Economies of Art and Technology in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is among the fastest growing cities in China that emerged as a centre of global manufacturing, which spearheaded its economy. In attempt to raise its reputation away from a knock-offs and copying culture, there is a desire to shift to a design and innovation-led economy to raise the quality of production by placing stronger regulations on intellectual property. However, the relaxed regulations and early experimentations with market economies in the urban villages that allowed for China’s unique shanzhai culture to emerge. This paper aims to link a range empirical research and discourses from cultural policy, urban geography, cultural studies, art, design and information studies to open up to new understandings of the economies of art and technology that also present opportunities to reimagine the cultural economy. Through theoretical analysis and examples, this paper seeks to provide a broader understanding of the complexities of the accelerated developments in Shenzhen and to approach an artistic practice that engages within these economies.