Shanghai, China’s leading financial center. In recent years, due in part to the local government’s push for urban planning, there has been an increase in art-related facilities and other events on the former site of the Shanghai World Expo, and a succession of lively and vigorous cultural activities that surpass those in the capital of Beijing. Needless to say, there are international events such as the Shanghai Biennale, large-scale art fairs, and an endless array of exhibitions held at numerous galleries and museums. In addition, there is a lively art scene extending throughout the city, such experimental exhibitions and other activities held on an everyday basis in a variety of ordinary spaces including commercial facilities.

This exhibition introduces a total of 13 individuals and groups, ranging from masters who played historically significant roles in the formation of the current art scene in Shanghai to a new generation of young artists, including some whose work has never been shown in Japan. We trust that these numerous highly stimulating works, including everything from the exceptionally large three-dimensional piece to new media works made with cutting-edge technology, will give you a taste of the feverish art scene in our rapidly changing neighbor to the west. It is our hope that this exhibition will enable viewers to encounter present-day Asia while also enhancing interest and understanding, and that it might also lead to an even closer relationship between our countries in the future.