The Allegory of Tomorrow, a collision of the ancient and the futuristic
2025-02-19 to 2025-03-15
2025-02-19 to 2025-03-15
A poster of The Allegory of Tomorrow exhibition.
Get ready for a thrilling journey through time and imagination!
The Allegory of Tomorrow exhibition by visionary artist Chen Xiaodong hits Sunke Villa at Columbia Circle in Shanghai, and it's a collision of the ancient and the futuristic that you won't want to miss.
From February 19 to March 15, this unique art experience will transport you into a world where Chinese mythology meets cyberpunk in the most mesmerizing way.
The exhibition features two major series of works, starting with the Future Mountain and Sea series, where Chen reimagines the mythical creatures from the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing, or The Classic of Mountains and Seas, through a modern, sci-fi lens.
Picture sculptures, digital prints and immersive installations that fuse ancient beasts with futuristic technology, creating a world where the past and future seamlessly blend. As you wander through the exhibition, it's as if these mythical creatures are roaming a futuristic city, where the boundaries of time, reality and imagination disappear.
The exhibition will transport you into a world where Chinese mythology meets cyberpunk in the most mesmerizing way.
In addition to this, Chen's Reincarnation series offers a more introspective journey, with thought-provoking sculptures that explore the philosophical concepts of life and death.
These works are as mysterious as they are powerful, adding an extra layer of depth to the overall experience. Together, the two series create a captivating narrative about mythology, life cycles, and the endless possibilities of what might come.
One of the futuristic installations on show.
And if you think the art is the only thing that's cool, think again – Sunke Villa itself adds a whole new dimension to the show.
The villa's elegant architecture and rich history provide an intriguing contrast to the cyberpunk-inspired art, making this exhibition a rare opportunity to witness the dialogue between past and future, tradition and innovation, in one space.
Chen's immersive digital installations bring these ancient creatures to life in the villa's architectural spaces, offering visitors a truly unique visual experience that activates the cultural value of the old building while creating new conversations about time and history.
The exhibition features two major series of Chen's works, the Future Mountain and Sea and the Reincarnation.
Picture sculptures, digital prints and immersive installations that fuse ancient beasts with futuristic technology, creating a world where the past and future seamlessly blend.
If you go
Date: February 19 to March 15, 10am-5pm
*The villa will be temporarily closed from 12pm to 5pm on February 21.
Venue: Sunke Villa at Columbia Circle
Address: 1262 Yan'an Rd W 延安西路1262号
Admission: 40 yuan