Wallace Chan's 'Vessels of Other Worlds' Bridges Shanghai and Venice in Dual Titanium Exhibition
Renowned contemporary artist Wallace Chan is showcasing 'Vessels of Other Worlds' at the Long Museum in Shanghai, with curation by James Putnam, until October 25. This exhibition coincides with a similar event at Cappella della Pietà in Venice, which runs until October 18, celebrating Chan's 70th birthday. The Shanghai exhibition features three impressive titanium sculptures, with the largest, 'Birth,' standing over seven meters tall and weighing 4.6 tonnes. Chan's choice of titanium reflects both its lightness and deeper meaning. Traditional Chinese techniques are utilized alongside obsidian in the display. In 2026, Chan will participate in 'MYTHOS' in Venice, following previous shows like 'Titans' (2021) and 'Totem' (2022). Both exhibitions explore themes of memory and transformation.
Key facts
- 'Vessels of Other Worlds' is on view at the Long Museum, Shanghai, until October 25, curated by James Putnam.
- The mirrored Venice presentation runs at the Cappella della Pietà until October 18, 2026.
- The dual project marks Wallace Chan's 70th birthday and reconsiders his career.
- Three monumental titanium sculptures in Shanghai stand seven, eight, and ten meters tall.
- 'Birth' weighs 4.6 tonnes and incorporates stainless steel, mirrors, crystals, and geometric elements.
- The vessel concept originates from a stone engraving of sacred oil vessels Chan saw in a Venetian church.
- Obsidian, a black volcanic glass, is combined with titanium, iron, and dark stones using mortise-and-tenon assembly.
- Chan's 2026 Venice presence also includes 'MYTHOS' at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo.
Entities
Artists
- Wallace Chan
- James Putnam
- Federico Sutera
Institutions
- Long Museum
- Cappella della Pietà
- Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà
- Fondaco Marcello
- Scala Contarini del Bovolo
- ATP DIARY
- Long Museum (West Bund)
- Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Venice
- Italy
- Riva degli Schiavoni