Shanghai: the Next Art Capital of China?

‘Tis the Season for Art Fairs

Shanghai has the ambition to contest Beijing as the locus where big art is seen, made and discussed, and Hong Kong as the financial hub of the Chinese art market in Asia. In September, Shanghai played host to an art week in which three art fairs—Photo Shanghai (9/11–13), West Bund Art & Design (9/8–13) and Art in the City (9/11–14)—brimmed with optimism, bolstered by the enthusiasm of the increasingly urbane Shanghainese ready to be marveled and tempted by world-class art. Barely leaving time to rest, November delivered another package of high-end contemporary art in the form of Art 021 (11/19–22). Meanwhile, only a week earlier, the larger and well-established Shanghai Art Fair (11/12–15) had also taken place, seemingly under the radar of all but local Chinese press, with a lineup of 152 international galleries. Although a little more modern than contemporary, and occasionally ghastly, the 19th edition of the fair saw huge footfall and positive sales.

• China