TANK Shanghai just opened on 23 March on the West Bund waterfront of Shanghai’s Huangpu River, which is a fast-thriving art and cultural district in the Chinese metropolis. The new museum, consisting of five rotundas of transformed oil tanks, is owned by karaoke club owner and contemporary art collector Qiao Zhibing. This long-awaited and highly anticipated private museum has come to life after six years of design, transformation and construction.
Larry’s List spoke with Qiao Zhibing, who shared about the challenges in transforming the oil tanks to a museum, the three inaugural exhibitions currently on view, as well as the key element that determines the success of a private museum in his opinion.
Building TANK Shanghai
What is your motivation behind opening TANK Shanghai? As you have Qiao Space already, why another space?
To bring contemporary art to a boarder audience.
Why is it important for you to share art or your collection with a wider public?
TANK Shanghai is currently doing exhibitions, not showing my collections. Of course, I would very love to show the collections in the future and let the artworks be used, not just in the warehouse.
Why did you choose the West Bund for opening the museum there?
Due to the great vision of the West Bunk leadership, which is very supportive of contemporary art.
TANK Shanghai has very special architecture as it is transformed from five oil tanks. What are the challenges in transforming the oil tanks and building the museum?
It is necessary to meet the planning structure and make the most of the space possible.
What is the mission of the museum?
Free the art. Make the public to feel close to contemporary art, art and nature, and the relationship between art and city.
The collection and the programming
Do you display your collection at Tank Shanghai? Will the museum have its own collection?
TANK Shanghai are still focusing on exhibitions, not showing my collections. I just install some collections in my office.
Currently there is only my private collection; there is no collection for museum.
How much do you involve in the programming as well as the curating of exhibitions in the museum?
In all aspects.
What are special about the three inaugural exhibitions? How were they selected and decided?
‘Under Construction’focuses on Chinese contemporary art. Artists are exhibiting with very special works. I am very grateful that they all support TANK Shanghai.
We also pay attention to international contemporary art. Adrián Villar Rojas is a very important international contemporary artist. He has especially presented “Sometimes you wonder, in an interconnected universe, who is dreaming who?” for TANK’s space.
We also pay attention to art and technology, like teamLab, and it is a great exhibition that attracts the public, suitable for all ages.
From excitement to advice
What was your happiest / most memorable moment related to Tank Shanghai?
What excites me is that the public comes to TANK’s parkland, plaza, and everywhere. They can stay here for a day and really enjoy it.
What are your visions for the museum in the next five and ten years respectively?
I have no visions for the future; I just want to do the current thing well.
What do you think is the key element that determines the success of a private museum?
Adhering to exhibitions.
What is your advice to other collectors who may be thinking about building a private museum/foundation/publicly accessible space?
Actually, I am not a very experienced person for museum. I have never done an art museum before. My only suggestion is: If you want to do it, just do it.
Instagram: @tankshanghai
This ‘Private Museum Insights’ editorial series is born with the support of Phillips, a partner of THE PRIVATE ART PASS.
