OCT Contemporary Art Terminal Shenzen

OCAT Shenzhen was founded in 2005 and functions as the headquarters of the OCAT Museums. As the first art establishment among the OCAT museums, OCAT Shenzhen has a long-term commitment to the practice and research in the field of contemporary art and theory both inside of China and in the international arena.

The programs of OCAT focus on in-depth surveys, research, publication, and presentation of both individual artists and thematic group exhibitions. In addition to these activities produced under the title of OCAT Exhibitions, OCAT Residency Program, OCAT Performs and OCAT Screens are annual programs showcasing performance-based practices, accompanied by dialogues between art workers from different academic and cultural backgrounds, theoretical discussions on art, dance, and theater, as well as screenings of and lectures on documentaries, video art, and films. Using these activities as points of access, OCAT Public Program initiates lectures, conversations and other events at OCAT Shenzhen and publishes part of the content, such as documentations and reading materials for a wider public and researchers. At OCAT Shenzhen, publishing is both prompted by its exhibitions and an independent form of artistic and conceptual articulation and experimentation. The conception, editing, and design of its publications could be employed as a form of artistic practice in parallel to the exhibitions. Young practitioners as well as recent developments in progressive thinking and discovery in art are central to the programs of OCAT Shenzhen. OCAT Youth Project was launched to present the recent work, experience, thinking, and imagination of artists, curators, and critics.