Shanghai's Jiushi Art Museum opened its first exhibition, Before the Earth Falls Down, at its new location on March 31. The museum is now housed in the historic McBain Building, also known as the Asia Building, at No 1 the Bund.

The exhibition presents works by nine contemporary artists. Spanning installations, paintings, video and sound, the works explore the rapid loss of biodiversity and the pressing realities of global environmental crises.

As part of the exhibition, the museum has developed a series of interactive programs to engage visitors. Participants can contribute to a rotating display by replacing exhibited greenery with their own, allowing the installation to evolve over time.

The museum plans to expand its role beyond a traditional exhibition space by introducing a cafe, reading areas, and retail sections, alongside live music performances, to create a more integrated, multi-purpose cultural venue.

Originally constructed in 1916, the McBain Building is a landmark example of Neoclassical architecture on Shanghai's waterfront. The museum's relocation is part of a broader effort to revitalize historic structures in the area.

The museum is part of a wider cultural network that includes the Bund 18 Jiushi Art Gallery and the Jiushi Art Salon at 230 Beijing Road East.

Sources: Shanghai Observer, ThePaper