Beijing’s first Makers’ Fair took place on November 7th and 8th at the China Millennium Monument (中华世纪坛). As part of the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) movement, Makers’ Fairs allow DIY enthusiasts to truly embrace the open-source culture and actively share their ideas. Intel, Microsoft, and Arduino were some of the official sponsors of the event, in which the creative work of artists and designers from around greater China and the world was showcased.The event featured workshops, speakers, and forums on popular technology such as 3D printing. Mohos Máté, an Interactive Media Arts student at NYU Shanghai, presented his interactive video game. A hit among many of the fair’s attendees, the video game was a play on time. Players switched between being able to observe the past and act in the present by wearing a pair of 3D glasses, equipment he printed himself in the Interactive Media Lab. “After spending long hours programming or trying to make my Arduino work, I am always incredibly grateful to meet people whose passions resonate with mine,” commented Máté when approached by On Century Avenue. “Beijing really surpassed my expectations and turned out to be something extremely rewarding and inspirational."Other honorary guests included students from SUNY Korea, a Partner University located in Seoul. The team from SUNY Korea designed a program that would use Arduino technology to help elementary school children learn physics. The system, entirely designed by a group of college freshmen, attached motion sensors and other data collecting equipment to various toys. When the objects were moved the calculations from the motion were presented on a screen for the participants to observe.“It’s good to see the collaboration that is happening here,” remarked Alex Krejci, a computer science professor from SUNY Korea, “it really helps one understand the philosophy behind the Maker’s Movement.”Beijing, one of the world’s leading manufacturers, is truly embracing the design movement that is sweeping the world. Xinhua University, one of Beijng’s most famous institutions of higher education, has reported starting construction on a six-story design space, fully equipped with all of the latest technology that would allow engineers and DIYenthusiasts to design and manufacture their creations on the spot. One thing is apparent: this is only the beginning of the Maker’s Movement for the capital city.

This article was written by Lillian Korinek. Please contact [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Lillian Korinek