Design Events in Shanghai: December

Wow, time flies! It’s already December, and it feels like only yesterday we were complaining about heat waves hitting Shanghai! December is beyond question a very important month. When we think December, we think Christmas, the end of the year and reflections on what happened in our life, excitement toward fresh start, and snowmen (or at least, where I come from!).

For all Shanghai residents and these expats who stay in the city, we prepared a list of design, art, fun & Christmas activities to enjoy.

Madness

What? Madness: Creativity as a Common Good?
A bi-monthly event organized by Madness is back for the last time this year! This time they explore the questions related to creativity like “How does creativity accelerate the transition process towards more sustainable societies? How can our creative mind contribute to a more equitable world?“. Pop in and listen what speakers, like renowned Shanghainese fashion designer Celia B, have to say about creative process.
When? Dec. 4, 7.30 – 9pm
Where? nakedHUB,
3/F, 1237 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Xiangyang Lu
Free? 100RMB
More details: Refer to SH-Madness WeChat Profile

Design Events Shanghai December | WILDDESIGN

Their Vision, Your Mission

What? Their Vision, Your Mission

This only one-day exhibition will feature photographs made by by children who have not had access to any formal art education and who’ve been given digital cameras and encouraged to capture moments in their own life and find meaning through their own life, their community and their individual experiences. You can come and help HandsOn Shanghai to take this initiative to the next level and continue to improve the quality of the education.
When? Dec. 5, 1 – 5pm
Where? Glam,
Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
Free? 100RMB presale, 150RMB at the door

KTGA Winter Fest

What? KTGA Winter Festival: Tales from the Palace

KTGA Winter Festival is a great occasion to get some stylish and cool gifts from local brands, pamper yourself with some delicious food and participate in series of inspiring talks and workshops. We will be there!
When? Dec. 5 – 6, 12pm – 9/8pm
Where? Hubindao,
168 Hubin Road, near Ji’Nan Road, across from Taipinghu Park, Xintiandi
Free? 40RMB presale, 50RMB at the door

Constellation

What? Constellation
Known for his graphic, geometric and bright style, this time Lu Xinjian went a little darker and drew his inspirations from stars and night skies.
When? Until Dec. 8
Where? Art Labor,
Bldg 4, 570 Yongjia Lu, near Yueyang Lu, Xuhui district
Free? Yes!

Manoj Bhargava

What? Green Initiatives: Billions in Change
This month Green Initiatives presents a documentary about Manoj Bhargava, the self-made billionaire behind 5-Hour energy, and his quest to pledge a great portion of his wealth to the good of mankind. Watch as he attempts to solve major global problems within 3 sectors: Power, Water and Health.
When? Dec. 10, 7pm
Where? New Haworth Space,
Jingan Kerry Center Tower 1, 32F, 1515 West Nanjing Road,
Free? 50RBM for registered guests, 70RMB at the door

Idle Beats

What? A Tale of Two Cities
Shanghainese screen print studio, Idle Beats, has just started a new exhibitions series. The goal of the new project is to pair them with other print art studios around the globe! The first match is FrenchFourch from Paris.
When? Until Dec. 11
Where? Underfine,
Rm 105, Bldg 6, 50 Moganshan Lu,near Xi Suzhou Lu
Free? Yes.

No Longer, Not Yet

What? No Longer / Not Yet
An art exhibition sponsored by Gucci hosts the works of nine international artists like Cao Fei, Rachel Feinstein, Jenny Holzer, Glen Luchford, Nigel Shafran, Li Shurui and British illustrator, Unskilled Worker, who were invited to create their interpretations of the notions of “contemporary” and “untimely”. Although the show received mixed reviews, go and check for yourself.
When? Until Dec. 16
Where? Minsheng Art Museum,
Free? 30RMB

Death is Going Home

What? Death Is Going Home
What would you do to in order to sell more of your art? Would you pretend to be a Chinese, when in fact you’re French? That’s what a Shanghai-based French artist, Alexandre Ouiary, did 10 years ago when the market demanded mostly works from Chinese artists and he couldn’t find any clients interested in his works. Now, when his style gained enough enthusiasts, Ouiary comes clean and uncovers who’s behind Tao Hongjing.
When? Until Dec. 13
Where? Shun Art Gallery,
Room 103/208 Bldg 3 50 Moganshan Lu, near Xi Suzhou Lu
Free? Yes!

Forum

What? How Prepared is Shanghai to Tackle Climate Change? Green Drinks? December Forum
Green Initiatives are preparing another interesting event this month. The speakers at December forum will try to answer the question how (if at all) Shanghai is prepared for climate change-related challenges.
When? Dec. 17, 6.30pm
Where? Arup Associates,
37F, 1045 Huaihai Middle Road,
Near Xiangyang Road
Free? 50RBM for registered guests, 70RMB at the door

Jiashan Market

What? Jiashan Christmas Market
Bi-monthly event at Jiashan Market comes back in a very merry version! Who doesn’t like Christmas Markets, duh?
When? Dec. 19, 11am – 6 pm
Where? No. 37 Lane 550 Shanxi Nan lu, near Shaoxing lu
Free? Yes!

Genesis

What? Sebastião Salgado: Genesis
Beautiful black & white photographs of wildlife, landscapes, seascapes, and indigenous peoples—raising public awareness about the pressing issues of environment and climate change.
When? Until Dec. 20
Where? Shanghai Natural History Museum, 399 Shanhaiguan Lu, near Datian Lu
Free? 30RMB

The Last Man

What? The Last Man
What can be possibly more kitschy than Chinese discotheques in the ol’ good 1990s? The answer is – nothing! That’s why Chen Wei has decided to recreate this glittery atmosphere in his own bedroom. For all hidden disco balls fans out there.
When? Until Dec. 31
Where? Leo Xu Projects,
Bldg 3, Lane 49, Fuxing Xi Lu near Wulumuqi Lu
Free? Yes!

Rain Room

What? Rain Room
This very interactive and intriguing installation is coming to an end. The goal of walking into the rain room is to “to get a sense of calm, clarity and a heightened perception of their physical presence in that environment.” You can try that for 150RMB. Let us know how it was!
When? Until Dec. 31
Where? Yuz Museum,
35 Fenggu Lu, near Longteng Dadao
Free? 150RMB

Hugo Boss Award

What? Hugo Boss Asia Art 2015
Six artists nominated for the Hugo Boss Asia Art Award for Emerging Asian Artists 2015. The six artists selected in recognition of their artistic practice are; Guan Xiao (China), Huang Po-Chih (Taiwan), Moe Satt (Myanmar), Maria Taniguchi (Philippines), Vandy Rattana (Cambodia), and Yang Xinguang (China). Curated by Rockbund Art Museum, the selections of artworks ranges from painting to video art, sculpture, performance and more.
When? Until Jan. 3
Where? Rockbund Art Museum,
20 Huqiu Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu
Free? 30RMB

Joan Miro

What? Made in Miro
Beautiful works (mainly paintings) of Catalan surrealist artist, Joan Miro, arrived to Shanghai as a part of the Catalan Week. What can be better than these simple, but cheering illustrations on a rainy day like this in December?
When? Until Jan. 3
Where? Réel Shanghai,
1601 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Changde Lu
Free? 130RMB

Memorieslab

What? Memorieslab with Ellen von Unwerth

Beautiful black and white photographs of Ellen von Unwerth were brought together by Memorieslab and IMAGO to create BlackOut which is a stunning exhibition exploring a surreal, visceral world of provocation that immortalizes the themes of loss, sanity, and revival, stunning scenes against a surreal apocalyptic landscape that is bound to captivate the imagination.
When? Until Jan. 3
Where? 10 Corso Como,
North Annex, Wheelock Square 1717 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Huashan Lu
Free? Yes.

Theatre of Paper

What? Theatre of Paper
Six contemporary Chinese artists, Ni Haifeng, Qin Feng, Qin Yufen, Qiu Deshu, Shen Chen and Lan Zhenghui, who were among the earliest artists in China to experiment with abstract or conceptual art in the 1980s.
When? Until Jan. 10
Where? Pearl Lam Galleries,
181 Middle Jiangxi Road
Free? Yes.

We hope that you will enjoy our December selection! Let us know if you’re organizing an interesting event yourself! What event did you like the most?