For struggling artists in Shanghai, major obstacles stand in the way of success: the harsh commercial environment and the government's control over culture. Now a privately owned museum, the Shanghai Zendai Museum of Modern Art, has set up the nation's first so-called 'art bank', to exhibit and promote artists' work.
Shanghai has been trying to take on Beijing for the title of the mainland's cultural capital. However, it has been held back by high rents for workspace and local government censorship. Now the art bank may help give life to the city's artistic aspirations.
Tucked away on the second floor of the museum in Pudong district, it has already hosted eight performances or exhibitions - involving more than 100 artists - since opening a mere four months ago.
'We want to support young and interesting artists,' said the head of the project, Yang Ge, as he showed visitors the 110-square-metre space. The high ceilings and grey cement floor offer the flexibility to showcase everything from performance art to paintings.
The idea was adopted from overseas only at the end of last year, but the museum moved quickly to make it a reality. The art bank aims to host more than 20 shows a year, and to have a team that identifies artists with potential.
In Zendai's vision, the art bank promotes artists, gives them a space to exhibit and opens the way to possible commercial opportunities that might become money in the bank for artists. At the same time, the project allows the museum to track up-and-coming artists.
