Qiantan Permanent Public Art

About

Lujiazui Properties, an acclaimed property developer in Shanghai and Art Pioneer Studio, an international art consultancy firm based in Shanghai and Hong Kong, will jointly present an unrivalled permanent exhibition at the Qiantan Center. As a new skyscraper in Shanghai expected to be completed this year, Qiantan Center is located at the Qiantan International Business Zone, an up-and-coming international business zone in Pudong, Shanghai and adjacent to the international business zone Lujiazui.

The Shanghai Qiantan Industrial Development Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Lujiazui Properties) has commissioned Art Pioneer Studio to carry out the production of this unique permanent exhibition, slated to open mid this year. 

From the Lujiazui Financial and Trade Zone to the largest integrated urban complex in the Qiantan area, Lujiazui Properties is committed to the development of land and urban function in international financial cities. In the past, a tightly curated presentation of artworks within high-end complexes or in urban-functioning developments was considered uncommon. The exceptional cultural and spiritual attributes manifested in this practice tie in with Lujiazui Properties’ mission to create professional brands and classical images.

Occupying an area of 2.83 square kilometers, Qiantan is seen as located to the east of the Huangpu River, the south of Chuanyang River, the west of Jiyang Road, and to the north of West Huaxia Road. The site is dubbed 'version 3.0' of an urban model that produces a new world-class central business district in Shanghai. The total construction area of Qiantan spans roughly 3.5 million square meters filled with international Grade A office buildings, high-end commercial, luxury hotels, as well as residential, cultural, entertainment, among other functions.

Lujiazui Properties along with Tishman Speyer of the United States, Swire Properties and Jardine House of Hong Kong, among others, have invested tens of billions of RMB in Qiantan, an unprecedented achievement in more than 150 years of Shanghai history. With renowned architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) designing the overall architectural design of the Qiantan Center, the development comprises an organic intersection of elevated pedestrian walkways and an extensive viewing platform, allowing for more open space to match the recreational park, natural environment and the athletic center in the vicinity.

The Qiantan Center project design is inspired by the concepts of flow (water), diversion (wood grain) and transformation (stone layer). A linear "streamline" – traversing the entire site – connects all three architectural components (hotels, offices, and annexes) with a compelling visual language that prompts different reactions based on the individual element presented within the project.

For this project, Art Pioneer Studio has conducted many on-site inspections and examined various proposals, ranging from artist invitations to on-site visits, discussing multiple schemes with owners, architects, and artists, and deepening the development of artworks. Art Pioneer Studio has invested a considerable amount of time and energy in the production of artwork mockups. The placement of art in a specific environment, or anywhere in the so-called "public domain," is a complex matter. Public art usually requires the involvement of various individuals, such as city planners, architects, and others, and naturally the artists themselves. Choosing appropriate art, establishing a harmonious, meaningful and iconic environment, and improving the quality of public art space is the organization’s main ethos.

Through the combination of the architectural language elements of the Lujiazui Qiantan Center project – water and wood – Art Pioneer Studio invited the artists to create a proposal for a site-specific art mural spanning 400 square meters under the theme of “light” and “wind,” emanating contemporary and grand qualities.

In addition to improving a property’s conventional deliverables, Art Pioneer Studio believes that high-end properties in the future need to have a unique spiritual value and richness in cultural attributes, which will help attract a higher-class demographic. Given that indoor and outdoor artworks are essential items for top-tier commercial complexes, the selection of artist and artwork is a main priority for real estate companies to consider in a project. The selection of unique and brand-conscious artworks is the main specialty of Art Pioneer Studio.

Robin Wong, Founder of Art Pioneer Studio, says “the future success of a business no longer lies in a pure shopping and display function. The installation of artworks and the constant implementation of curatorial models will largely elevate our retail experience and gradually transform it into a hotspot of long-term networks with great influence.”