Shanghai’s ‘Ephemeral Nostalgia’ – Rong Lu’s Inaugural Exhibition

As the prelude to the autumn art week unfolds, the ‘Rong Lu’ space officially opens in S[...]

As the prelude to the autumn art week unfolds, the ‘Rong Lu’ space officially opens in Shanghai. Constructed as a concept art and culture space integrating historical architecture, design collections, and aesthetic narratives, ‘Rong Lu’ is a fusion of contemporary art exhibitions, cross-cultural dialogues, lifestyle aesthetics sharing, and collection insights. It aims to create multiple cross-disciplinary possibilities between the venue and art. The name ‘Rong Lu’, phonetically similar to ‘melting pot’, symbolizes the intermingling of diverse cultures. It also shares the same phonetics with the space’s curator, Luning Lu, and the former owner, Rong Desheng, carrying a profound historical legacy.

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Located on Changle Road in Shanghai, ‘Rong Lu’ was formerly a Western-style mansion built by the late Qing dynasty official Li Hongzhang for his parents. It has also served as a private club and the residence of the ‘King of Shanghai Flour’, Rong Desheng. The former residence of Rong Zongjing, Rong’s brother, has been transformed by the PRADA Group into an important cultural venue for contemporary art and brand presence. As another ancestral home of the Rong family, ‘Rong Lu’ naturally establishes a myriad of connections with art.

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The curatorial approach of ‘Rong Lu’ differs from the traditional elitist ‘white cube’ galleries. By borrowing the concept of a ’boutique store’, it breaks down cultural boundaries of time and geography, focusing on diverse forms of transnational cooperation. It blends contemporary artists’ and designers’ works, design furniture, and private collections from the international market, curated and presented seasonally by the space’s curator. The exhibition hall at ‘Rong Lu’ serves as a ‘melting pot’, actively promoting the online dissemination of art knowledge, cultural dialogues, and collection introductions alongside physical exhibitions. This allows for the organic coexistence of creative narratives across different media within the same space. The private invitation system also allows collectors and guests to enjoy a private viewing and communication experience in this salon space closely integrated with design furniture.

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The inaugural exhibition, ‘Ephemeral Nostalgia’, features works from nine artists, including Miriam Cahn, Ted Gahl, Peng Ke, Yeni Mao, George Rouy, Naomi Workman, Qi Yan, Flora Yukhnovich, and Zihan Zhao. It includes the debut of emerging artists who have gained international recognition, private collections, and works by contemporary Chinese designers.
The exhibition is open from November 5th to December 8th. The specific business status will be determined by the actual opening conditions on that day.

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