Rear Windows: A world where past and present coexist

With the tremendous growth of modern art, many classical art galleries have developed new and innovative ways to exhibit works of art. Unlike traditional exhibitions that use a preexisting building or art gallery, art agencies in Shanghai have started to cooperate with large companies and building owners to provide a unique and interesting experience for visitors. Curated by the famous art critic Jérôme Sans, “Rear Windows” is an art exhibition hosted by Prada Rong Zhai in Shanghai that takes inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece. With the work of indigenous artist Li Qing and curating of Jérôme Sans and Prada Shanghai, the exhibition is a private building turned public property that provides the viewers with diverse artistic and cultural activities.

“Rear Window” is an immersive, site-specific project that incorporates architecture with classical art and blends traditional and contemporary pieces. The building used for the exhibition was originally a private residence of a successful entrepreneur, but it became a public property after socialization. However, Qing, the main artist for this project, imagined the building as a space still used by its residents and attempted to imitate the look of the building in the past by recreating ballrooms, bathrooms, bedroom, karaoke room and more. To create a sense of duality between the past and the present, Qing included carpets printed with pictures of patterned tiles, included sound installations in the first floor, and fixed bright neon signs on the painted walls of the old building. By reconstructing the building with ornaments from different time periods and replacing objects in a different way, Qing successfully poses visitors an essential question: How can we become closer to the reality of things when everything is mixed in time, between past and present? With this building present in Prada Rong Zhai, the visitors can also explore the connection between the past and contemporary urban environments in Shanghai.

“Rear Windows” will be on view from November 7, 2019, until January 19, 2020. The address for the exhibition is No.186, North Shaan Xi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai. For additional information, please check out this website. 

Featured Image— “Rear Windows” Courtesy of Prada

by Amy Kang