Interactive moon exhibition brings 'hard science fiction' to Hong Kong
George Huang, chief executive of ioio studio, has created an interactive exhibition at K11 MUSEA that blends hard science fiction with real aerospace artifacts, including a moon soil sample and Chang'e-6 parachute debris. The show aims to spark public curiosity about space exploration and Hong Kong'
George Huang, chief executive of ioio studio, is staging an interactive exhibition titled “Fly Me to the Moon: A 380,000 km Odyssey” at K11 MUSEA in Hong Kong. The show, set in 2048 when the moon is a travel option, takes visitors through a simulated launch and touchdown using immersive light and sound.
Visitors can pull on astronaut gloves, tackle challenges such as building a moon base or designing a lunar menu, and view “state-level” space exhibits including rocket booster debris, the parachute from the Chang'e-6 return capsule, and rocket models. They can also touch a real moon soil sample.
Huang described the exhibition as “hard science fiction” grounded in research rather than fantasy, citing China's plans to build a lunar base and extract resources. He said bringing the rare aerospace artifacts to the public required planning that began late last year and building trust between Hong Kong and mainland authorities with different habits and cultures.
The show marks a new chapter for ioio studio, which turns 10 and is now organising directly for the public rather than working mainly with museums. Huang, a former journalist, said curation needs both research and imagination, particularly when words alone no longer hold an audience. “We need to create an immersive space you can see, play in and walk into,” he said, adding that cross-disciplinary collaboration is essential.
Huang noted that artificial intelligence still has limits in visual aesthetics. “Physical design and production involve weight, structural strength and physical support points, which AI cannot solve right now.” He expects the tech wave to create a split world, with people seeking efficiency at work but growing demand for real experiences in leisure, since in-depth interaction itself cannot be replaced.
Behind the exhibition, Huang said he had a personal connection and a broader goal to raise public awareness of aerospace development in Hong Kong. “Many of my father's family studied physics and science, which keeps me close to the science world, yet unfamiliar,” he said. He added that Hong Kong holds many niche communities, from tech enthusiasts to space fans and sci-fi readers. “Space is one of the next tech flashpoints. Hong Kong needs to think about its position,” he said.