"Until 1979, Shenzhen was little more than a small fishing town. In 1980, the city was designated one of the country's first Special Economic Zones. Over the ensuing years, Shenzhen underwent one of the fastest urban transformations in modern history, emerging as one of China's most important manufacturing and technology centers."
"Yet in the international art world, the city has only recently begun to enter the conversation. Though it has long been one of the country's most successful technology hubs, Shenzhen has always been on the margins of the global cultural map. Now it is trying to shed its reputation as a 'cultural desert' and claim a place in Asia's increasingly active art scene."
"This year began with two headline-grabbing announcements in the city. Chinese tech giants JD.com and Tencent revealed plans to establish art museums in Shenzhen, appointing Robin Peckham and Pi Li as their respective founding directors. Peckham previously served as co-director of the Taipei Dangdai Art and Ideas fair, while Pi Li was head of art at Tai Kwun in Hong Kong."
Shenzhen, transformed from a fishing town into a technology powerhouse since 1979, is now pursuing cultural prominence through major art initiatives. Despite being home to tech giants like Tencent, Huawei, and JD.com, the city has remained marginal in the global art world, earning a reputation as a cultural desert. This year marks a turning point with JD.com and Tencent announcing plans to establish art museums with experienced directors Robin Peckham and Pi Li. These developments suggest Chinese technology companies are increasingly investing in cultural infrastructure, positioning Shenzhen to claim a significant place in Asia's expanding art market.
#shenzhen-art-market #chinese-tech-companies-cultural-investment #asia-art-infrastructure #museum-development #cultural-transformation
Read at Artnet News
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