Shanghai's largest exhibition space specifically for photography has opened along the city's famed Bund. The Shanghai Center of Photography joins a number of new facilities on the western Bund, which is trying to become a new art center in town.

Biennale venue picture perfect again

The photo center covers an area of nearly 500 square meters. 100 photos were on display in bright rooms with all white walls and plenty of windows. The pictures are all from the collection of photo editor Jin Hongwei, and are some of the most impressive taken around the world during the 20th century. It include works from Joseph Koudelka and Elliot Erwitt.

Two architects originally designed the space for the 2013 Shanghai Biennale. But it sat empty for two years after that event closed. Then photographer Liu Xiangcheng rented the space and turned it into a photo exhibition center. Liu said he plans to hold four or five exhibitions every year, with about 70% of the them introducing works from the west.

The center joins the Long Museum and Xi'an Art Museum among 11 exhibition halls in the West Bund Culture Corridor which was built in 2012. The corridor attracts around 1,000 visitors on weekends.

The photo center is open free of charge for the next month, after which admission will be around 20 yuan. An exhibition of works by Chinese photographers is scheduled for September.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)