Design Events in Shanghai: August

It’s getting hotter and hotter in Shanghai and we’re coming back with our monthly choice of the coolest events in the city. Our aim is to provide you with a monthly list of the most inspiring event related to design, art, culture and self-improvement that would tickle your brain cells and give you an inspiration kick!
If you’re organizing an event you believe matches our canon, let us know in the comments or send us an e-mail!

What? The Dream City, Seminar and Concert at Power Station of Art.
The Dream City is a long-term art project by Ilya and Emilia Kabakov and it’s the summary of their life-time philosophy of art. Using various forms of art expression like lighting, urban planning, architecture, the authors invite the audiences to the maze of an imaginary world and lose themselves to the strength of art. Only on this Saturday, the admission ticket also gives you access to a seminar attended by the curator (Jean-Hubert Martin) himself and other artists in the afternoon and a “Concert of Ideality” in the evening.
When? Aug. 8 (the seminar and the concert), the exhition until Dec.
Where? Power Station of Art
Free? 60RMB
More details: Meet Up

What? Wonderfactory Toy Photography Exhibition
This small photography exhibition features works of photographers from nine different countries portraying our all-time favourite childhood toys.
When? Until Aug. 9
Where? Jingan Kerry Centre
1515 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu
Free? Yes!

What? Virunga: Green Drinks August Film Screening
This month Green Drinks are sceening “Virguna” a documentary on deaths of gorillas in Africa’s oldest national park, caused by human oil-dependency. Snacks, wine, and soft drinks will be included, with a short discussion following the film.
When? Aug. 13, 7pm
Where? 17th Floor, Eco City, 1788 Nanjing Xi Lu
Free? 50RMB presale, 70RMB at the door
More details: Green Initiatives

What? FLOW: For Love of Water
This eco-horror doc takes on water pollution, the privatisation of global water supply, the safety of bottled water, dam building and the imminent global water shortage, among other things.
When? Aug. 13, 7pm
Where?
Free? 50RMB
More details: Green Initiatives

What? Mobile Architecture: Yona Friedman
A retrospective exhibiyion of the “Mobile Architecture” theory — a radical, people-first concept of architectural design and urban planning. It’s surprising to find out that such a great influencer, now in his nineties, has only two architectural projects realized.
The exhibition consists of two parts – one illustrates Friedman’s concept though sketches, models and cartoons, the other is a mysterius Street Museum outside PSA, find out by yourself! You can also add your “brick” to the exhibition, more information in the link.
When? Until Aug. 16
Where? Power Station of Art
Free?
More details: Power Station of Art

What? Instant Insanity
Is an exhibition of installations created by a Beijing-based artist Li Hui. According to ARARIO GALLERY which host the exhibition “Li Hui is apt at creating stunning visual effects but at the same time his works lead the audiences toponder the deeper meaning. His creation that on one hand balance the diversed mediums, art forms aswell as multidimensional content reference. On the other hand，they focus on the social expansion and the humanities compression which caused by China’s society development.” Meet us there!
When? Until Aug. 16
Where? ARARIO GALLERY
No. 7, Lane 890, Hengshan Road
Free? Yes!
More details: ARARIO GALLERY

What? Beyond the Brick: A Lego Brickumentary
Screening of a documentary following the famous The Lego Movie that aired last year. The Logo Brickumentary includes interviews with Lego designers, show the backstage of Lego conventions and silhouettes of a grown-up community of Lego fans.
When? Aug. 18, 8pm
Where? The Grumpy Pig
65-4 Maoming Bei Lu, near Yanan Lu
Free? Yes!
More details: Time Out Shanghai

What? The Eternal Aquatic
Photography exhibition featuring a series of underwater photography by Christy Lee Rogers. Intriguing.
When? until Aug. 18
Where? Art Labor Gallery
Bldg 4, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu
Free? Yes!
More details: Art Labor Gallery

What? Starlite Theater
Every Thursday, Hepcat hosts screenings of classic 50s movies. Free popcorn!
When? Every Thursday, 6.30pm
Where? Hepcat
Second Floor, 359 Kangding Lu, near Shaanxi Bei Lu
Free? Yes
More details: Time Out Shanghai

What? Super Mario 30th anniversary exhibition
A tribute exhibition for beloved Italian plumber who turns 30 this year.
When? Until Aug. 16
Where? Joy City, 3F
oy City, 180 Xizang Bei Lu, near Qufu Lu
Free? 60RMB (single), 140RMB (package deal with gift) if you buy on gewara, 90 RMB on site
More details: Review by Time Out Shanghai

What? 12th Shanghai Model Exhibition
SIME is one of China’s most important gatherings of scale models and all modelling related tools suppliers both for amateurs and professionals.
The Shanghai International Model Exhibition (SIME) has become one of China’s most important gatherings for these professionals and amateurs not just from China, but also from across Asia and the world.
When? Aug. 22 – 24
Where? Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing
No.2739 West Guangfu Road
Free? Yes (upon registration)

What? Workshop: Super Creativity
Would you like to be more innovative, romantic or fun?
People often make the mistake of thinking creativity is a character trait that you either have or you don’t. Creativity is a skill that anyone can learn. Actually as a child, everyone is creative, but we are taught that there is only one right answer and we are educated out of our natural creative ability.
In this workshop Octave life coach Fionn Wright will put your creativity to the test using the ultimate creativity test – the sock test! He will then help you understand how creativity works in your brain and how you can turn on the creative parts of your brain. By the end of the workshop you’ll be shocking the sock test.
When? Aug. 24, 7pm
Where? The Living Room by Octave
357 West Jianguo Road
Free? 100RMB

What? Babel World
Is a solo exhibition of Du Zhenjun, a Shanghai-born artist, living and creating between China and France. Through his modern, digital artworks he comments on the contemporary society and its problems.
When? Until Aug. 30
Where? Pearl Lam Fine Arts
181 Jiangxi Zhong Lu, near Fuzhou Lu
Free? Yes!

What? JonOne – Staring to the stars
JonOne comes back to Shanghai’s Magda Danysz Gallery once again for an long awaited exhibition. Now famous street art performer started his path by tagging subways of the New York City in 70s.
When? Until Aug. 30
Where? Gallery Magda Danysz
188 Linqing Road, near Pingliang Road
Free? Yeah!
More details: Madga Danysz Gallery

What? Revolutionary Art: Exhibitions of the 65th Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Republic of China
Chinese revolutionary art at its best. More than two hundreds of artworks guide your though the epic history of our country of residence since 1933 to 2007.
When? Until Aug. 31
Where? Long Museum Pudong Branch
No. 210, Lane 2255, Luoshan Road
Free? 50RMB

What? Marc Riboud: Liulichang 50th Anniversary
Another take on Chinese history, this time by French photographer Marc Riboud, illustrating his two first trips to China in 1957 and 1965 that made up his book ‘The Three Red Banners of China’.
When? Until Aug. 31
Where? Beaugeste Gallery
Space 519, Bldg 5, 210 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Lu
Free? Yes.

Have fun and don’t forget to give us your feedback!