Shanghai Kaleidoscope presented by Manulife Financial (the exhibition)
Shanghai Kaleidoscope presented by Manulife Financial will run from May 4 to November 2, 2008 at the Royal Ontario Museum. To see this exhibition, please take advantage of our special offer of discounted ROM tickets!
Since the early 1990's, Shanghai has been one of the world's fastest-changing cities; in many aspects it is the “city of tomorrow” — a laboratory for the new high-speed, high-density urban culture that is materializing in Asia. Throughout the decades, Shanghai has grown to become China's largest city, and re-established itself as the financial motor and international trading centre of China. With one percent of China's population, the city now generates an astonishing twenty percent of the country's gross domestic product. Occupying an increasingly pivotal point in the Chinese, Asian and global economies, Shanghai will surpass regional competitors such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo in the coming decades.
Shanghai Kaleidoscope presented by Manulife Financial will be the first exhibition in the world to examine Shanghai's fascinating and quick reconfiguration as a 21st century city. The angular ICC Gallery will provide the perfect backdrop to evoke the dizzying and somewhat disorienting character of contemporary Shanghai. It is a timely exhibit since it will open in the spring 2008 — a few months before the summer Olympic Games in Beijing; Shanghai will also be the host city for the 2010 World Expo.
The exhibit will explore the energy and vitality of contemporary Shanghai by giving the viewer a sense of the vertical impetus of the buildings, the accelerated pace of life, the multi-layered experience of living in a city where everything is happening at once. This will be accomplished by highlighting four facets of the city's culture: urbanism and architecture, contemporary art, fashion, and cinema, via an imaginative mix of video, architectural models, photography, and graphic panels.
Urbanism and Architecture:Shanghai's physical transformation since the early 1990's has been stupefying — in the last 10 years approximately 60% of old Shanghai has been razed and constructed over. More than 1,000 skyscrapers have been erected, a new subway system built, an ultramodern international airport as well as numerous new bridges and tunnels have been constructed. Looking at linking domestic and foreign businesses, becoming a financial power house as well as attracting millions of tourists annually, Shanghai is also re-creating itself as a city of high culture. Museums of art and science are being built, performance halls for theatre, music and dance are being inaugurated, and university facilities are being constantly expanded. This section will juxtapose historic Shanghai with the emergence of the modern city and examine the key components of 21st century Shanghai's urban character: its dense metropolitan composition; the exceptionally high population density; its affinity for brash, distinctive, monumental skyscrapers; the vast, futuristic Pudong financial district; the rapid development of the Huangpu River waterfront; the creation of technologically advanced transportation systems (light railways, magnetic levitation trains); the numerous historic preservation projects and ambitious plans to establish new public green spaces. |
Contemporary Art:Shanghai's visual artists stand apart by virtue of their distinctive individuality and their tendency to work across a range of mediums, including painting, installation, photography and video. A vibrant contemporary art scene has arisen in the city since the mid-1990's; numerous art galleries and centres are constantly being built or expanded upon to support the art-boom. Approximately 8–9 artists, many with international reputations, will display their works; the works will demonstrate a broad range from realistic imagery to more experimental and “edgier” works. In essence, the art will comment on the changes made to the urban fabric of Shanghai and the impact this new city has on its inhabitants. |
Fashion:The historic home of the Chinese textiles industry, Shanghai has in the past decades become a global centre for the manufacture of clothing for foreign companies. Whereas in the 1990's European designer boutiques arrived in Shanghai, it is now the home-grown designers who are creating a lively fashion scene. Aiming to increase the development of Chinese fashion brands, the Chinese government is encouraging young, up-and-coming designers by offering them studio spaces and weekly runway shows in order to hone their craft. Contemporary Chinese fashion reflects a mix of influences — including traditional Chinese, pan-Asian, and European sources. Designers such as Wang Yiyang, Zhang Da and Gao Xin are garnering worldwide reputations and their products are seen more and more in Europe. |
Video Statements:8–10 video statements will be included, on various aspects of Shanghai's contemporary urban culture. Possible speakers will be architects, curators, artists, professors, city planners, designers, editors, filmmakers, and general residents of the Pudong area. |
Some art works being considered for inclusion:
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Fashion:Clothing designs from three leading young couture designers will be presented.
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Video Statements:8–10 video statements, of approximately 3–5 minutes apiece will be presented on kiosks interspersed with the rest of the exhibit. Under consideration as subjects of these video statements are the following people:
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