A panoramic tour of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou, Part III

Also another former warehouse area now turned into some attractive cultural asset of Shanghai to boost the cultural image of the city. The Shanghai Urban Sculpture Park consists of many different individual buildings, together with many outdoor sculptures sprinkled across the green landscape. Opened to the public not too long ago and sometime at the end of last year, the Park exudes signs of great hope for a better neighborhood redevelopment as well as for the city. On site, there are many buildings still under renovation. Many contractors were hammering and sawing inside and outside those individual buildings. Works are going on around while a few buildings are all set for public viewing.

Considering what were displayed, there are just way too many sculptures that actually milk the concept directly from the West while those deriving their themes from indigenous background could not excel beyond its own cultural bond or context. Many sculptures are not cutting edge enough in design while just as many immature in appearance. After viewing all the sculptures I could find, I still think China has a long way to catch up with the rest of the world for its modern sculpture if Shanghai were to be on the leading edge in China's sculpture design.

August 13th 2007