burst of color engulfs Hermès shanghai with li han's exhibition & window art of urban objects

Hermès Shanghai taps architect Li Han, the Principal of Drawing Architecture Studio, to create a new summer window display for the Maison in Shanghai named ‘Scape of Urban Object’ alongside the exhibition ‘Life Models’ on the fourth floor of the establishment. The window art features urban objects like buses, vending machines, bus stops, billboards, electric boxes, utility poles, and fire water tanks, which are transformed and presented in a colorful and artistic way. The window display aims to show the different meanings of ordinary objects in city life and encourages viewers to see their surroundings in a new light.

After stepping inside Hermès in Shanghai, visitors are further guided into Li Han's solo exhibition named ‘Life Models’ where eight stations of artistic and architectural models are held on the 4th floor of the Hermès Maison. Occupying the entire level, the latest architectural pieces and artworks by Li Han explore the connection between buildings and life and present urban architecture as artistic scenes that combine contradictory elements of city life. Visitors are invited to check out the vibrant window display at No.217 Middle Huaihai Road in Shanghai and swing by to walk through Li Han's exhibition which runs from May 25th to June 11th, 2023.

Men's Universe Window: Tower of Urban Object | header: Women's Universe Window: Road of Urban Object | photos by Hu Zengfei | images courtesy of Hermès and Drawing Architecture Studio

Li Han's exhibition ‘Life Models’ inside Hermès Shanghai features several unique artworks that explore different aspects of urban life. ‘Dragon Theater’ is an imaginative representation of Chinese cities, inspired by a Sichuan opera theater in a parking garage. It combines storytelling and personal perspectives, capturing the magic of densely populated areas. ‘Pigeon Cage Chapel’ symbolizes the small living spaces in expensive cities, with a contrasting exterior and a pure white interior illuminated by stained-glass windows. ‘Ideal City’ presents a high-density collage of urban elements, juxtaposing chaotic urban spaces with classic architecture.

‘Becoming A Monument’ showcases the transformation of social housing buildings over 70 years, highlighting contrasts between practicality and monumentality. ‘City of Domestic Machine’ redefines mobility by transforming transportation machines into tools for utilizing urban public spaces. ‘The Cave’ fuses traditional and contemporary elements as a representation of window holes and Chinese cave dwellings. ‘Suddenly This View’ captures the poetry of everyday life through small models and photography, revealing the microscopic world of urban scenes.

Life Models Exhibition View | photo © Hermès, by Li Qianchao

Li Han's exhibition ‘Life Models’ inside Hermès Shanghai toys with the concept of architectural models as artworks. These models are not only tools for architects but can also be transformed into different forms of art, like paintings, sculptures, or installations. Gracing the exhibition, dollhouses and building block toys as tangible objects to touch, three-dimensional sketches, drawings, and even comics greet the visitors.

For Li Han, making models is both designing architecture and creating art, and just like Li Han himself blurring the lines between being an architect and an artist, these works are in an undefined state. Somehow, these works of art and architecture sit within a realm of ambiguity that whips up a fascinating colorful landscape and displays inside Hermès Shanghai, making the vibrant exhibition and window displays unique and interesting.

Life Models Exhibition View | photo © Hermès, by Li Qianchao

Life Models Exhibition View | photo © Hermès, by Li Qianchao