Power Station of Art - Shanghai

The Power Station of Art (PSA) is one of Shanghai’s most fascinating cultural spaces because it blends industrial history with contemporary creativity. The museum occupies a former power plant—an industrial complex that once helped light the Bund in the early 20th century. After serving as the “Urban Future Pavilion” during the 2010 World Expo, the building was transformed into China’s first state‑owned contemporary art museum and officially opened to the public in 2012.

What makes PSA stand out is how it embraces its industrial past rather than hiding it. The massive turbine halls, exposed steel, and the iconic 165‑meter chimney give the museum a raw, urban character that contrasts with Shanghai’s flashy commercial districts. Inside, because of it's origins, it's big. The museum offers over 15,000 square meters of exhibition space, hosting major events like the Shanghai Biennale and rotating shows that highlight both Chinese and international contemporary art.

Visiting PSA feels like stepping into a dialogue between old and new Shanghai. The building’s industrial bones tell the story of the city’s early modernization, while its exhibitions reflect the energy of China’s contemporary art scene. It’s a place where architecture, history, and creativity intersect—making it one of the most compelling cultural destinations in the city.

I attended the Lina Bo Bardi: The Poetics of Survival exhibition. It is the first major show in mainland China dedicated to the Italian‑Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi. There were about 300 pieces—including architectural models, drawings, sketches, photographs, videos, and archival documents—to trace her wide‑ranging work across architecture, furniture design, curation, publishing, and public culture. It was very interesting to see her float across different media types during her career. She was very inspirational and she really broadened my horizons about what one person could do with design. What I mean by this is she wasn't just an architect, she was an artist and did not let one form of design limit her.

I was lucky enough to get a personal tour from Ms. Gong Yan, the museum director. She was so very nice to show us what she built and her vision for the Power Station of Art.