Capsule Shanghai Founder on Post-Pandemic Challenges and Local Focus
Enrico Polato, the founder of Capsule Shanghai, reflects on the gallery's journey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded in late 2016 in the Xuhui district of Shanghai, the gallery emphasizes emerging talents, collaborating with both local and international artists, including Alice Wang and Gao Yuan. It is actively involved in prominent art fairs such as Artissima Torino and Frieze New York. After closing in January prior to the Chinese New Year, the gallery shifted to digital initiatives and reopened for appointments in early April, featuring Cai Zebin's exhibition. Visitors are required to wear masks and present a Shanghai health QR code. The gallery faced challenges like limited public engagement, travel bans, and a disrupted 2020 schedule, leading to a renewed focus on Chinese artists. Polato is also investigating innovative presentation methods.
Key facts
- Capsule Shanghai founded in late 2016 in Shanghai's Xuhui district
- Gallery located in a 1930s garden house
- Works with emerging artists crossing contemporary art with other disciplines
- Collaborates with Chinese and long-term foreign resident artists
- Introduced Chinese artists internationally including Alice Wang, Gao Yuan, Leelee Chan, Feng Chen, Huang Hai-Hsin, Sarah Faux, Ivy Haldeman, Maya Kramer, Cai Zebin, Wang Haiyang, Douglas Rieger
- Participates in Artissima Torino, Liste Basel, Paris Internationale, Frieze New York, Art Basel Hong Kong, West Bund Art & Design
- Closed to public in January before Chinese New Year
- Pursued digital projects: online viewing rooms for Art Basel Hong Kong and Frieze New York, enhanced WeChat
- Reopened by appointment in early April; official exhibitions not yet allowed
- Cai Zebin exhibition viewable by appointment; visitors must wear masks and show Shanghai health QR code
- Major difficulties: no public interaction, travel bans, fair cancellations, disrupted 2020 program
- Polato localizing program and prioritizing Chinese artists short to medium term
- Polato believes art has a decisive role in pandemic; exploring new presentation models
Entities
Artists
- Alice Wang
- Gao Yuan
- Leelee Chan
- Feng Chen
- Huang Hai-Hsin
- Sarah Faux
- Ivy Haldeman
- Maya Kramer
- Cai Zebin
- Wang Haiyang
- Douglas Rieger
Institutions
- Capsule Shanghai
- Artissima Torino
- Liste Basel
- Paris Internationale
- Frieze New York
- Art Basel Hong Kong
- West Bund Art & Design
- Artribune
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- Xuhui
- Torino
- Italy
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Paris
- France
- New York
- United States
- Hong Kong