Established in 2012, the Power Station of Art is a power station turned 20th century art museum which is managed directly by the state. This brings a different edge to the gallery, an industrial vibe blending with colorful creativity dispersed through exhibit halls throughout the venue. The site is not some obscure haunt but a thriving hub for flourishing artistic landscape of China. It is also home to the Shanghai Biennale which is held regularly and attracts hordes of visitors from home and abroad.
Located in Huangpu district, at the bank of Shanghai’s main river, the closest subway stop is the Xizang South road station which is visited by lines 4 and 8. Exiting from gate 2, visitors go south on Xizang road till they hit the riverside. Going east from there till Huayuangang road will bring visitors to Power Station of Art. Timings are from 11:00 to 19:00 except on Mondays when it is closed. It has an operational website and responsive WeChat account where tourists can get all relevant details and purchase tickets for when exhibitions are being held. They have a discount policy for seniors, students, teachers and groups detailed on their website. On days without exhibits, the museum is free to visit. Audio guides are very helpful in explaining about the art pieces around the building and can be rented from the entrance lobby at a price of RMB20 with a deposit of RMB200 which is refunded on return of equipment.
The Nanshi Power station was set up in 1985 but in Shanghai’s drive to shift away from industrialization and towards becoming an IT powerhouse, the power station was proposed to be converted in to a Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010 known as the Future Pavilion. But as the Expo wound down the 10 acres of space that the building occupied had to be put to other use and so it was set up as the Shanghai’s Power Station of Art in October of 2012. The exhaust chimney of the power station was remodeled in to a huge thermometer which is not only a recognizable city landmark but speaks of the fusion of development with good aesthetics. This theme has been maintained inside the structure as well.
The steel skeleton and layout of the plant remains as it is and the renovation project simply molds the available space in a way that gives visitors a labyrinth of creativity to explore without being weighed down by the idea of industrialization as a hindrance to progress.
Displays inside the 12 exhibition halls of the museum are mostly in flux with only a few mainstays in order to keep abreast of the times and be valid to the culture and society of the current era. The major event of the PSA, the Shanghai Biennale 2020 began in November and will run till June 2021, with proper security measures. It is centered around the theme ‘Bodies of Water’ inspired by the pandemic and will explore our increasing global connectivity.