Youth Palace at Rockbund Art Museum Reimagines Socialist Children's Palaces
The Rockbund Art Museum in Shanghai is hosting the exhibition 'Youth Palace: or, some small acts of self-making' until 20 September, which reevaluates the heritage of socialist children's palaces. Through a Foucauldian perspective, the show investigates how identity and discipline are shaped within these spaces, while proposing different ways of existing. Notable pieces include Puppies Puppies's 'Defense' (2026), a space for self-defense instruction, and Nguyễn Trần Nam's 'We Never Fell' (2010), which explores ideological training through play. The 'Hall of the Useless' showcases Peng Xueying's 'Fake Moves on the Street' (2026) and Zhang Jiuwo's 'Fiasco: Troubles Never Come Alone' (2022–23). Additionally, works by Diego Marcon, Li Ming, Yang Junling, and Lin Ke are featured.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Youth Palace: or, some small acts of self-making' at Rockbund Art Museum, Shanghai, through 20 September.
- Opens with Puppies Puppies's new commission 'Defense' (2026), a self-defense tutorial.
- Nguyễn Trần Nam's 'We Never Fell' (2010) features five roly-poly dolls representing proletarian roles.
- Section 'Hall of the Useless' organized by Ge Yulu includes works by Peng Xueying and Zhang Jiuwo.
- Diego Marcon's 'Ludwig' (2018) is a video of a CGI boy singing an aria in Latin.
- Top floor features 'Friends or Friends of Friends' by Li Ming, Yang Junling, and Lin Ke.
- Li Ming's 'Path of the Brave' (2026) recreates a hanging bridge from children's palaces.
- The collaborative 'The Story of June 1' (2006–26) includes 20 videos recorded on International Children's Day.
- Children's palaces in China were formerly private aristocratic sites, phased out in early 2000s.
Entities
Artists
- Puppies Puppies
- Nguyễn Trần Nam
- Ge Yulu
- Peng Xueying
- Zhang Jiuwo
- Diego Marcon
- Li Ming
- Yang Junling
- Lin Ke
- Michel Foucault
- Wu Hung
- Hans Christian Andersen
- Anton Chekhov
Institutions
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Vietnam