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March 3, 2019

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Unused oil tanks converted into art space

THE biggest art event next month must surely be the opening of TANK Shanghai.

Composed of five daunting thick steel aviation oil tanks, TANK Shanghai breaks the stereotype of how an art space, often nicknamed “White Box,” should look like.

Here everything in the structure is round, providing a rare experience to the visitors.

“This will be a dynamic art and cultural center of Shanghai,” says Qiao Zhibing, founder of TANK Shanghai. “It has integrated various exhibition spaces, plazas, gardens, lawns, a bookstore and an education center and restaurant.”

As one of the most influential collectors of contemporary art in Asia, Qiao was named in the Power 100, which was created by the Art+Auction magazine, in 2014. In 2013, he was named one of the top 200 collectors in the world by “ARTnews.” Qiao’s private collection ranges from canvas, installation, sculpture, photograph to video.

“Everyone knows me in the English world,” he claims.

Apart from his collection, Qiao runs a nightclub “Shanghai Night,” where he hangs some of his artworks created by big-name artists like Zhang Enli and Zeng Fanzhi.

At first sight, Qiao appears more like a scholar. However, when he talks, he doesn’t come across as an easy-going person.

Last year, he opened QIAO SPACE at the West Bund to promote contemporary art among the local people. TANK Shanghai will be another highlight in the neighborhood.

Built in 1917 to supply fuel to Longhua Airport nearby, the five oil tanks, a fire pool and docks have been preserved as reminders of times past. In fact, there were plans to remove them as no one had any idea how to deal with them.

“I insisted on retaining them in their original shape, because I saw the beauty and the possibility of turning them into a unique art center,” Qiao says.

Qiao revealed that renovating the tanks was a costly affair.

The site stretches over 60,000 square meters. The first exhibition titled “Universe of Water Particles in the Tank” will run through August 24 inside Tank No. 5 — the largest of five.

The exhibition aims to recall the history of the tank. Waterfalls projected onto the walls inside the tank will be obstructed when visitors stand in front of them, according to teamLab, which is in charge of the exhibition.

Founded in Japan in 2001, teamLab is a group that focuses on digital art. The paint is replaced by light and shadow that takes viewers into an immersive world that is inspired by nature, calligraphy and zen.

The news of teamLab’s arrival has excited local art lovers. Some of them even posed for pictures in front of the tanks.

For decades, Xuhui District riverside was out-of-bounds for the general public because of the presence of oil stations, docks, a concrete plant and an airport — all of which were based there.

But today, the West Bund has transformed itself into a giant art space with art centers, galleries and private art museums. And TANK Shanghai is tipped to become another landmark in the neighborhood.

Q: The project of TANK Shanghai was initiated in 2014, and it took almost five years to put it in place. Why did it take so long?

A: Long? I think it was quite quick. In fact, paper work during the early stage took much longer.

Q: Do you have a clear idea on the future of TANK Shanghai?

A: Sorry, no. Everything is too early to say.

Q: The operating costs of running a private art museum can exceed 20 million yuan a year. Do you have any other source to support TANK Shanghai?

A: TANK Shanghai is a non-profit organization. Since I am involved with it, surely I have my own ways to handle all financial problems in the next one or two decades.

Q: We know teamLab is popular in the international art scene. But is there any particular reason why you chose them for the opening of TANK Shanghai?

A: TeamLab is an art group which is composed of artists, programmers, engineers, animators, mathematicians and architects.

Being in “the core of the art community,” I don’t have to “woo” the artists, but they are more than eager to cooperate with me.

Q: Before TANK Shanghai, you launched QIAO SPACE, Shanghai Night and Art Restaurant. What’s the reasons for that?

A: I believe in the power of art, and I have been fascinated with them always. This is my personal interest and passion.

Q: Today there are many private art museums. Which, according to you, is the best one? Would you take some of their experience and apply it at TANK Shanghai?

A: I would rather hope that TANK Shanghai will be a blank paper at the start. In my eyes, the Ullens Center in Beijing is the best private art museum in China.

Q: With the opening of TANK Shanghai, what would be the function of QIAO SPACE. They are so close to each other, and both are in the West Bund.

A: I would say QIAO SPACE is more like a predecessor of TANK Shanghai, or a pilot zone.

Q: Will you take on the role of a director at TANK Shanghai?

A: No, I am just the founder of TANK Shanghai.

The future curating team including the director and curators is yet being worked on.

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