No.101, Xiba Road, Kunming, capital of southwest Yunnan Province. The street where Loft is located looks pretty busy with a constant stream of cars and buses. But contrary to the tumult outside, the silent and narrow lane leading into the Loft workshops reveals a harmonious existence between art and business. Art workshops and design studios share breathing space with bars, restaurants and teahouses.

In the courtyard of Shanghe Chuangku studio, run by the founder of Loft, Ye Yongqing, a peacock proudly displays his beautiful plume.

Born in 1958, Ye was trained in oil panting at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. After graduation in 1982, he served as a professor at the institute, a position he retains today. "What we are trying to do is to create a social and public art scene that can be enjoyed by everyone," Ye said, explaining his motive for establishing Loft.

For the moment, Loft is home to a couple of painting workrooms, two restaurants, three bars and several design and photography studios. Artists from other parts of the world have also set up shops at Loft. Some four years ago, a Dane opened his studio, Nordic, which showcases art and culture from Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia.

Many exhibitions in the fields of film, drama, poetry, music and folk art have been held at Loft. Art events coupled with leisure outlets make this a haven of sorts for people from all walks of life: travelers, diplomats, celebrities, mayors, and rank-and-filers.

However, Loft was totally different several years ago. Its predecessor was the Kunming Machine Molding Factory, a 35-year-old township enterprise manufacturing cutters, drill presses, and other machines. In 2001, it had degenerated into a poorly managed company with losses exceeding 1 million yuan. Factory leaders decided to move production to the suburbs. The factory was refurbished and turned into several unsuccessful business ventures including a flower market and a car wash.

The wasted factory space proved to be a blessing in disguise for Ye. He and other local artists had been feeling displaced for many years, largely hovering around Kunming University and the suburbs, with no place to call their own. In 2001, Ye, together with his friend and fellow painter Tang Zhigang, saw in the disused factory a potential home for artists like them. They initiated negotiations with the factory leaders that proved successful, and soon after moved into the premises with 20 other painters.

And so Loft came to be. 

"Artists in Kunming have felt for a long time that they haven't been appreciated," Ye complained. "It would have been a tremendous encouragement to be reminded every minute that 'you're an artist'."

Although the artists at Loft are financially independent, it is their practice to help one another out if need be. The artists and other tenants provide one another with services such as venue for exhibitions, marketing collateral design and publicity. That is part of the Loft ethos.

Loft has slowly gained in popularity and is now possibly the most happening place in the city. So much so that exhibitions can be organized in a day and still draw in the crowds.

In line with Ye's hopes and expectations, Loft has become a place where everyone can enjoy art and be a part of it. Even a dinner or a cup of tea at Loft involves a person with art.

"It's a substitute place, nothing and everything, juxtaposed with daily life and thus full of possibilities," Ye explained.

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Li Xiao, May 17, 2005)