at the museums

Wednesday, we went to the Shanghai Art Museum & MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) with Ann after lunch at Afternoon Tea.

It was an exhibition by Wu Guan Zhong 吴冠中. I think it's his private collection (of various artists) which he will donate to Singapore, China & Hong Kong museums after the exhibition. Amongst all the artworks showcased, we were the most impressed by the elder Wu's works - very contemporary although most were Chinese ink paintings! And considering his (old) age...it was truly avant-garde!

(Sigh... Strictly NO photography)

Born in Yixing, Jiangsu in 1919, Wu Guanzhong taught painting at the National Chungking University in the early 1940's. After travel and study in France for four years, Wu Guanzhong returned to China where he currently resides and teaches. Wu Guanzhong is internationally known, and exhibitions of his paintings were held in San Francisco in 1989-1990 and in London in 1993.


Some of the exhibits at MOCA, featuring 'Couples in Contemporary Art':


Elvis & i always enjoy visiting these museums. The admission fees are also very cheap - only ¥20. The Shanghai Art Museum is the old 1934 British Racing Club building with a famous clock tower. It also house the very "hi-so" roof-top restaurant Kathleen's 5 with a spectacular view of People's Square. MOCA, on the other hand, is a very modern-looking greenhouse situated WITHIN the People's Square Park. It is just next to Shanghai Art Museum, about 5 mins walk inside the park (i.e. if you dont get lost).

Somehow, i always dont take a picture of the cool glass buildng coz we're always rushing there and rushing off. Haha! (That's me) These pictures below are taken from their website (to show you). You wont imagine this building inside a typical park! Impressive, right? ;)


I kinda like this park coz there's the very cliche chinese-chinese residents amidst the somewhat modern environment. Nice restaurants and cafes can be found inside the park. Some teens dressed in Japan/Harajuku cosplay fashion can be seen on weekends. Older folks gather to play chess, dance and jog. (They love to do all sorts of song & dance!) On Sundays, you'll be shocked to see A LOT (maybe hundreds) parents gathering to matchmake their children - all equipped with detailed data! They will hang these A4-sized paper on the trees for people to browse freely...and fix up something if the parents are keen. If you already own a house, got more advantage! Haha! Ann also pointed to me her favourite building in Shanghai across the street (see right) It looks somewhat 'Cosmopolitan' and has a rusted metal look. Really a cool-looking building!

After the art lesson in-and-around the park, we walked around People's Square - the underground shopping area, Raffles City and the "Bookstores Street". (Books are extremely cheap and plentiful here! But mainly Chinese ones lah)

Joel also took his first "da tou tie" (big head sticker). This is it! Kawaii! I also havent taken any of these stickers in years! And that's Joel's red packet from Ann on the far left. ;)
(For the Chinese, they do not need to be married to give away angpao. After they start working, they can give angpaos to their elders and young children. The minimum rate of angpao here is ¥100/approx S$20! No one will give amounts like our Singapore "market rate" of S$4/6/8/10)