Advanced Search

The story appears on

Page A8

September 23, 2023

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Feature » Art and Culture

MAP: new landmark on city’s art map

By Wang Jie | 15:27 UTC+8 September 23, 2023 | Print Edition

WITH a stunning view of the Huangpu River and the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Museum of Art Pudong (MAP) is destined to become one of Shanghai’s top art venues.

Invested and managed by Lujiazui Group, the marble-and-glass rectangle-shaped structure is the latest work of Paris-based design firm Ateliers Jean Nouvel.

MAP’s primary goal is to deliver world-class exhibitions and showcase the works of domestic artists.

On June 11, 2019, Shanghai Lujiazui (Group) Co and the Board of Trustees of the Tate Gallery signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic partnership. Under the agreement, Tate would provide training and expertise to the MAP initiative for three years.

The three inaugural exhibitions in the summer of 2021 demonstrated the museum’s aspiration.

“Odyssey and Homecoming” by Chinese fireworks artist Cai Guoqiang complements the other two shows on loan from the Tate in the United Kingdom and the Fundació Joan Miró in Spain.

Architecture style

The 13,000-square-meter museum in the heart of Pudong’s Lujiazui area has become a new icon in Shanghai’s cultural landscape.

A 53-meter-long bridge connects the museum to the waterfront platform on the Huangpu River’s east bank from the second floor.

There are two “glass halls,” one with a height of 6 meters and the other at 11 meters, allowing people to enjoy spectacular views of the Bund across the river. For most visitors, this is a perfect angle for the breathtaking Bund view.

The design echoes the river and creates a subtle blend of light, art and image. According to Jean Nouvel, the design aims to blur the line between the building and the environment.

“I hope the museum can naturally, seamlessly integrate into its surroundings, like a serene sculpture rather than an individual building,” the French architect said. “I’m playing a game with the Huangpu River and the surrounding spaces.”

In his eyes, MAP is a domain. The domain is a medium consisting of 4 hectares of warm white granite stones placed in a way that conjures up the irregular pattern of “crackled glass.” The Huangpu River, which is a body of water, borders the domain in the west. The domain literally drops right down to the water, where the stone whitens.

Café and restaurant

The café on the first floor serves soft drinks and coffee. The café and gift shop are actually housed together. Before waiting for the staff to prepare and serve the drinks, one can linger around the gift shop. Some of the items in the shop are art derivatives from exhibitions.

ROOF PM is an excellent place to unwind after a museum visit. The rooftop restaurant features 270-degree floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a panoramic view of the Bund. At dusk, the attractiveness of the museum and the city clearly triumphs.

However, the view changes when the lights are turned on at the Bund in the evening. One can then truly comprehend what “a city without darkness” is.

Best-sellers at gift shop

The top-three popular items at the gift shop are the MAP eco-friendly bag, the MAP rechargeable battery, and the MAP hand-painted stainless steel vacuum flask.`

The museum and LOQI, a popular maker of eco-friendly products, have collaborated to create a lightweight bag with a splash of color. The bright striped pattern with the large MAP logo is eye-catching.

The No. 2777 rechargeable battery, inspired by the museum’s insignia, is small and portable, with a 10,000mAh battery life. The number is derived from the museum’s address.

The MAP stainless steel vacuum flask is hand-painted to reflect the architectural splendor of the museum while echoing the surrounding skyline. It is made of double-layered 304 stainless steel with a pure white ceramic liner and can hold both hot and cold beverages. The mug is available in black and white with a label highlighting the museum’s address.

How to get there

Metro Line 2 or 14, Lujiazui Station

Address: 2777 Binjiang Avenue

Art and Culture


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend