On August 24–25, 2026, the “25 Years of Human Genome” International Symposium, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the publication of the draft human genome sequence, was held at Changping Laboratory. During the commemorative gala, a captivating dynamic sand art performance was presented. The performance traced the origins of the Human Genome Project and charted the evolution of sequencing technologies. It vividly portrayed more than two decades of scientific progress, from technological advances in single-cell omics, population genomics, and three-dimensional (3D) genomics to the applications of genomic technologies in reproductive medicine, oncology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Dynamic sand art originated in Hungary and was introduced to China in 2004. Over the years, Chinese artists have developed the art form by incorporating elements of traditional Chinese aesthetics and infusing the artistic conception of Eastern painting into the fluid visual language of sand animation. With a handful of sand, countless images emerge; within moments, landscapes and stories transform before the viewer’s eyes.
Sand artist Xiaohui Che has been working in the field since 2008. With 18 years of experience, she is among the early practitioners in China to specialize in contemporary dynamic sand art. She is particularly skilled at transforming themes in science, humanities, and history into an expressive and fluid visual language.
Condensing decades of achievements from the Human Genome Project into a performance lasting just ten minutes was undoubtedly a formidable challenge. Each frame of the sand artwork required one to two hours to create. The final video is essentially a 60-fold accelerated playback of the complete creative process, transforming hours of meticulous work into a dynamic visual narrative.
The performance brings together, in a concise and visually compelling form, the research achievements of all the speakers who participated in the “25 Years of Human Genome” International Symposium. It pays tribute to generations of scientists who have devoted themselves to human genome research, carrying the field forward and continually pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.