On the Bund in Shanghai, there is a unique building that integrates elements of both Chinese and Western cultures - the Fosun Art Center, known as the "Dancing House." With its highly recognizable design features, it has become one of the iconic landmarks of the city.

Creating a cultural landmark at the old city pier

The Fosun Art Center is an independent building with four floors above ground and three floors underground, designed by the British architectural design firm Foster + Partners and the British contemporary architectural genius, Thomas Heatherwick.

The geographical location of the Fosun Art Center is quite special. To the north is the Bund, which represents the glorious architecture of Shanghai a hundred years ago. Across the Huangpu River is the towering Lujiazui, and to the west is the old town of Shanghai. In addition, the former main wharf of Shanghai, Shiliupu, is located nearby, representing the city's important position as a shipping and trading center.

Creating a cultural landmark at the Old Town Dock is an unprecedented experience for designer Hesvik. He says, "It inspires us to strive for innovative approaches to blend it with the ancient city culture and provide an open and pleasant public space for millions of people."

The overall plan of the Fosun Art Center covers an area of 420,000 square meters and includes eight buildings. It features high-quality office spaces, boutique hotels, cultural centers, and luxury brand stores, connecting the city's financial center with the old town area. The buildings in the project are arranged in a harmonious rhythm, with varying heights, and they complement the surrounding iconic structures.

The project also combines high-performance glass curtain walls with hand-carved stone brick facades. These structures revolve around a brand new public space, engaging in a historic dialogue with the Bund buildings.

Golden curtains swaying with the music

The biggest highlight of the building's exterior is the three-layer golden rotating curtain, which combines elements of both Chinese and Western culture. It resembles both the ancient crowns of China and the harp of the West. The curtain rotates at four designated times every day, accompanied by music, making it highly recognizable.

According to Thomas Heatherwick, the cascading tassels of the curtain can be traced back to the headdress in Chinese classical stage performances and traditional bridal attire. There are a total of 675 aluminum alloy tassels hanging down in three layers, forming wonderful and unique curved combinations. The curtain opens, closes, and rotates freely through a sophisticated system, creating fascinating visual effects under the sunlight and lighting. As the different layers rotate and overlap, the building's appearance exhibits various levels of transparency and visual effects.

The Fosun Art Center aims to become a public art landmark, allowing the general public to enjoy the beauty of art. The architectural design that moves with the music, just like the slowly opening curtain, shares art with everyone. As the curtain rotates, it is accompanied by lights, fountains, and the melodies of world classic songs, creating a leisurely and culturally enriching experience.

Thomas Heatherwick said, "My grand ambition is to create something that is completely unique and cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world."

Double exhibition showcases more possibilities of art.

Unlike traditional concepts such as "art gallery" and "museum," Fosun Art Center has more possibilities: exhibitions, performances, events, forums, cafes... It aims to create a multifunctional and wonderful space for the public, going beyond art, to explore and communicate art and life in various forms.

From now until March 16, 2025, the Shanghai Fosun Art Center presents the exhibition "Encounter - Wes Anderson: Aesthetic Photography Exhibition". Through multimedia forms, the exhibition combines film aesthetics, photography art, and spatial design to present a photography art exhibition inspired by Wes Anderson's visual style. The exhibition showcases over 300 retro symmetrical images in Wes Anderson's style, distributed in 9 themed areas: "Open the Album", "Final Destination", "Mind the Gap", "Check-In", "Swimming Pool", "European Classics", "Stars and Stripes", "Color Collection", and "Relaxation in Nature", as if reconstructing Wes Anderson's film scenes.

During the same period, the Shanghai Fosun Art Center also features the "Sagrada Familia: Eternal Gaudi" XR immersive art exploration. Citizens and tourists can step into the colorful world of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet, exploring the wonders of the Sagrada Familia, the Palau Güell, the Casa Batlló, and other world heritage miracles.

Source: Enjoy Shanghai

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