Vessels of Other Worlds Exhibition to Open in Shanghai This July

Artist Wallace Chan is presenting a parallel exhibition titled Vessels of Other Worlds, which is currently on view at the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà in Venice, Italy, and is scheduled to open at the Long Museum in Shanghai, China, in July 2026.

The installation explores the conceptual intersections of water and time, utilizing the unique geographical and cultural identities of two prominent water-based cities to frame the narrative of the artwork.

Venice Installation and the Grand Canal

The Venice iteration of the exhibition is situated within the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà. This historic site, located along the Grand Canal, provides a spiritual and architectural backdrop for the installation. The choice of venue integrates the artwork with the city’s existing relationship with the sea and its history of religious and artistic devotion.

The installation focuses on the fluid nature of existence, using the chapel’s atmosphere to emphasize the transition between the physical world and the metaphysical. By placing the work in a space defined by centuries of Venetian history, the exhibition links contemporary installation art with the city’s legacy of craftsmanship and maritime influence.

Shanghai Expansion and the Long Museum

In July 2026, the exhibition will move to the Long Museum in Shanghai. The Long Museum is one of China’s most significant private museums for contemporary art, known for its expansive industrial architecture and its role in bringing international art dialogues to the Asia-Pacific region.

The transition from the intimate, historic setting of a Venetian chapel to the large-scale, modern environment of the Long Museum allows the artwork to be experienced through different spatial lenses. This parallel presentation is intended to create a dialogue between the European and Asian contexts of water cities, exploring how time and memory are preserved in different cultural vessels.

Artistic Themes and Influences

The conceptual framework of Vessels of Other Worlds draws significant inspiration from the works of Hieronymus Bosch, the Early Netherlandish painter known for his surreal and complex depictions of heaven, hell, and the human condition. Chan utilizes Bosch’s approach to world-building to create installations that suggest realms beyond the immediate physical experience.

The theme of the vessel serves as a central metaphor in the work. A vessel is not merely a physical container but a representation of the human spirit, memory, and the capacity to hold the essence of time. The artwork examines how these vessels navigate the currents of water, which symbolizes the passage of time and the fluidity of identity.

The installation incorporates elements of high craftsmanship and contemporary art, reflecting Chan’s professional background. While primarily known for his work in high jewelry, Chan applies a similar precision and focus on materiality to these larger installations, blending traditional techniques with modern conceptual goals.

Cross-Cultural Dialogue

The simultaneous or sequential presence of the exhibition in Venice and Shanghai highlights the shared vulnerabilities and strengths of cities built on water. Both locations face the challenges of rising tides and environmental shifts, adding a layer of contemporary urgency to the exploration of time and permanence.

By bridging these two distant cities, the project seeks to establish a connection between the artistic traditions of Italy and China. The use of the Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà and the Long Museum represents a juxtaposition of the sacred and the secular, the ancient and the avant-garde.

The exhibition remains focused on the internal journey of the viewer, encouraging a reflection on the Vessels of Other Worlds that each individual carries. The work posits that art can serve as a bridge between disparate geographies and eras, using the common element of water to unify the experience.