According to reports in Artnews magazine, Chanel has announced the opening to the public of Espace Gabrielle Chanel, the first public library dedicated to contemporary art in mainland China, located at the Power Station of Art (PSA) in Shanghai. The project marks an important step in the French fashion house’s commitment to art and culture in Asia, fitting into the Next Cultural Producer program, part of the Chanel Culture Fund. The library covers 1,800 square feet and is located on the third floor of the museum. It was designed by Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto, known for his minimalist and functional approach, and includes more than 50,000 books and audiobooks. At the time of opening, about 10,000 of these volumes are accessible to the public. In addition to the book collections, the space includes an updated exhibition hall and a terrace overlooking the Huangpu River, thus integrating the library function with that of a cultural center and a place for urban contemplation.
Also as written by Artnews, the initiative is part of the Chanel Culture Fund, founded in 2021 and now involved in fifty projects in fifteen countries, including the National Portrait Gallery in London. Chanel’s chair for arts, culture and heritage is Yana Peel, who leads the program and oversees the management of the maison’s international cultural projects. Espace Gabrielle Chanel will also house theArchive of Chinese Contemporary Art, with the goal of preserving and contextualizing contemporary art practices from mainland China. The facility also includes a 300-seat public theater, expanding the possibilities for cultural enjoyment and artistic programming within the PSA. The museum itself, which opened in 2012 and is housed in a former power plant, is the first state-owned museum dedicated to contemporary art in China and serves as the home of the Shanghai Biennial, solidifying its role as a landmark for the national and international art scene. The opening of the library thus marks a new chapter in Chanel’s efforts to promote artistic knowledge and provide accessible spaces for cultural exchange and preservation in Asia, strengthening the French fashion house’s presence in the contemporary Chinese cultural scene. The project reflects Chanel’s broad cultural strategy of integrating art, education and heritage in international contexts, strengthening ties with museum institutions and promoting the dissemination of contemporary artistic practices.
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| Chanel opens Espace Gabrielle Chanel at Shanghai's Power Station of Art |
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