「The Shape of Time」: Art and Ancestors of Oceania from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens at MAP in Shanghai

On June 1st, 2023, after a 5-month hiatus of renovation and preparation, Museum of Art Pudong opened its door to the general public with the highly anticipated exhibition: The Shape of Time-Art and Ancestors of Oceania from The Metropolitan Museum of Art .

On May 31st, Huang Wei, Standing Committee Member and Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Pudong New Area Committee, Xu Erjin, Party Secretary and Chairman of Lujiazui Group, Li Minkun, Deputy General Manager of Lujiazui Group and Chairman of Shanghai Pudong Art Museum Management Co., Ltd., Max Hollein, Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Quincy Houghton , Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Dr. Maia Nuku , Curator of Oceanic Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, attended the opening ceremony.

As a first-time collaboration between the Museum of Pudong and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the exhibition "The Shape of Time" showcases over 110 precious collective items and artworks spanning nearly four centuries, all of which are treasures from the renowned collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The exhibition runs from June 1st to August 20th, spanning approximately two and a half months, making it a truly rare and valuable opportunity. This marks the historic moment of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition landing in Shanghai, China for the very first time. The exhibition is presented by Lujiazui (Group) Co., Ltd., in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Pudong Art Museum.

Art, a powerful connection of the past and future

In Oceania, art represents a powerful force of connection, creating various relationships and serving as a bridge to the ancestral realm, giving shape and form to life.

The physical expanse of the ocean and its spiritual significance are closely tied to the concept of time. Ocean currents carried the ancestors of Oceania across the scattered islands, bridging the temporal gaps and forming bonds between them.

Oceania's artists gather diverse materials from islands and the ocean itself, using wood, bark, fibers, shells, and bones as mediums to tell multifaceted stories about origins, ancestral power, ritual knowledge, and performance. These breathtaking artworks are presented through dance, adornment, performance, and display.

The artists of the region connect with their ancestors through art, simultaneously reconstructing time and allowing the blending of the "present," "past," and "future" in a dynamic and fluid manner. Art in Oceania serves as a living testament to the enduring ties between generations, cultures, and the natural world, preserving traditions while inspiring innovation and new expressions.

Narratives of the Oceania

In the seven continents of the world, Oceania presents a completely different landscape and narrative compared to the other six continents with their vast landmasses. It is the smallest continent on Earth, with a land area of only about 8.97 million square kilometres, accounting for approximately 6% of the total land area worldwide. Oceania is predominantly composed of numerous islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean.

At the same time, the vast and boundless Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering almost one-third of the Earth's surface. Its geographic range stretches from Australia and Papua New Guinea to the archipelagos of the North, Central, and East Pacific.

Oceanic Collection from The MET Embarks on its Inaugural Voyage

As the largest art museum in the United States, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York was founded in 1870. It proudly presents an extensive permanent collection that resembles an encyclopaedia, encompassing artistic treasures spanning over 5,000 years from around the world. Amongst these, the Oceanic art collection traces its origins back to the mid-20th century and shares a profound connection with the illustrious Rockefeller family, renowned in the United States.

Nelson A. Rockefeller, a prominent American politician and a third-generation member of the Rockefeller family, had a deep passion for traditional art from Africa, South America, and Oceania. In 1969, Nelson generously donated over 3,000 artworks from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, officially establishing the museum's Oceanic art collection.

Meanwhile, The Metropolitan Museum of Art began to supplement the donated collection by incorporating more diverse mediums such as textiles. In 1982, The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing was completed, in memory of Nelson's son, Michael C. Rockefeller. Within the wing, the Oceanic art galleries were officially opened to the public. Subsequently, the collection continued to expand, and its composition became increasingly comprehensive.

Today, the collection of Oceanic art at The Metropolitan Museum of Ar, encompasses over 2,800 precious artefacts, representing the diverse art and culture of the islands across the Pacific. This extensive collection, symbolising the regional identity, reflects the rich history of artistic expression and innovation in the local communities.

Merchandise specially made for this exhibition

This is the first time that The Metropolitan Museum of Art has landed in Shanghai, China for a collaborated exhibition. This exhibition revolves around the Oceanic art collection from the museum, showcasing the rich and diverse historical and cultural heritage of the region.

In collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Art Pudong has also launched a series of creative and unique exhibition merchandise, incorporating the regionally symbolic artworks from the Oceanic art collection in a delightful way into modern life, adding a touch of art to everyday moments.

The creative merchandise series for this exhibition is presented jointly by the Museum of Art Pudong, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Alfilo Brands, the exclusive licensing partner of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Greater China. Regarding this significant project, representatives from all three parties have shared their perspectives.

"This is the first collaboration between the Museum of Art Pudong and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the development of creative merchandise, and it is also the first time that the inspiration comes from the art of Oceania. The totemic symbols, rich in natural elements, evoke a sense of longing. After enduring the test of time, they have formed their unique shapes and stories. This series of creative merchandise follows the historical footsteps and constructs its own small world within everyday scenes." - Yueling Pan, Creative Merchandise Dept, MAP.

"We are pleased to collaborate with the Pudong Art Museum to develop a range of merchandise celebrating works in The Shape of Time exhibition. We hope that each piece serves as a reminder of beautiful works of art in The Met collection and inspire audiences to learn more." - Leanne Graeff, Genral Manager of Design, Merchandising.

"Through strategic collaboration with Pudong Art Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art,Alfilo Brands has joined forces to create a unique and exciting cultural experience under the theme of "The Shape of Time". This collaboration brings forth a series of "funky and fun" cultural merchandise, on-site interactive activities, and captivating social media content for the audience. The director of the museum will also personally attend the opening ceremony, hoping that our "funky and fun series" will ignite a trend of artistic excitement during the hot summer season!" - Carrie Gong, VP Strategic Development & LBE

The article has been adapted for Linkedin, and you can read the original text in Chinese via the link below:

Published by Zephyr Services B.V. in Amsterdam