Inside Espace Gabrielle Chanel

Chanel launches Espace Gabrielle Chanel, the inaugural public contemporary arts library in mainland China.

Chanel

Chanel has unveiled Espace Gabrielle Chanel, the inaugural public library in mainland China dedicated to contemporary art. Situated at Shanghai's Power Station of Art (PSA), the 18,000-square-foot library houses over 50,000 books and audio editions, establishing itself as a significant center for contemporary art research and exploration.

Conceived by famous Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto, the library's design accentuates a sense of solidity and fluidity within the repurposed factory area. The labyrinthine "valley of books" reflects the adjacent Huangpu River, drawing inspiration from the fluid dynamism of the natural environment while preserving the site's industrial legacy. In addition to the library, the PSA has introduced enhancements including an upgraded exhibition hall, theater, new design center, and a terrace with a view of the river.

Chanel

The project represents the inaugural significant endeavor by Chanel’s Culture Fund in Asia and illustrates the brand’s enduring collaboration with PSA via its Next Cultural Producer program. Initiated in 2021, the program aims to promote innovative practices in contemporary Chinese craft, architecture, and theater.

“Espace Gabrielle Chanel exemplifies our dedication to future cultural creators, readers, and art aficionados throughout China,” stated Yana Peel, Chanel’s president for arts, culture, and legacy, to ARTnews. Instead of constructing independent venues, Chanel has concentrated its efforts on strategic collaborations with 50 prominent institutions globally, including initiatives at Seoul’s Leeum Museum of Art, MCA Chicago, Centre Pompidou in Paris, and London’s National Portrait Gallery, to promote artistic experimentation and public engagement.

“The library represents the essence of the Chanel Culture Fund’s philosophy,” Peel elaborated. This concept of cross-cultural interaction involves honoring legacy, preserving a nation's archives, and exhibiting the finest of avant-garde innovations.