Tai Art Gallery. [Photo/jiading.gov.cn]
The Tai Art Gallery, a new landmark along Yuanxiang Lake in Jiading district, Shanghai, is set to open by the end of this month, transforming a former boat dock into a public space that merges art with nature.
Fifteen years ago, this site was a bustling dock inspired by traditional Jiangnan water towns. It featured green bricks, gray tiles, and intricate lattice windows, creating a geometric structure that floated on the lake. The dock was a unique place where people could connect with nature.
Now reimagined as the Tai Art Gallery, the space invites visitors into a realm where time and space converge. The once-open roof is now a skylight, and the boat landing has become a white-walled exhibition hall. A new viewing window allows the shimmering reflections of Yuanxiang Lake to flood the gallery, capturing the changing seasons in a living ink painting.
"In late 2024, we took over the space, preserving its iconic design while transforming the interior," explained Lu Xueni from the Yihewan Art District. "By introducing windows that bring in the lake's light and scenery, we created a massive light and shadow installation, symbolizing the symbiotic relationship between architecture and the lake."
Address: Building 9, No 2755 Shanghai-Yixing Highway, Jiading district, Shanghai