How well do you know the city you live in? Would you be able to pinpoint the unique elements of Shanghai without using new media channels, and how would you choose to record what you see and feel when you walk through the city?
Those seemingly familiar landscapes, the streets that we walk through day after day, at different moments, under different lights and shadows, show completely different artistic atmospheres. In this era of highly developed digitalization and the Internet, we firmly believe that there are still some pure and profound cores that are worth precipitating and cherishing, and they should leave an indelible mark in the hearts of those who have experienced them.
In the eyes of a thousand people, there are a thousand kinds of Shanghai. So, what do you think of Shanghai?The Shanghairen project invites 100 Chinese and foreign illustrators to share with you the city's multifaceted charm. The editors of China Advertising spoke with Benoit Petrus, the founder of THE SHANGHAIREN's illustration project, about the project's unique connection to the city.
关于沛本诺（Benoit Petrus）
PEIBENNO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE ILLUSTRATION PROJECT AT THE SHANGHAIREN AND ALSO WORKS AS A DIGITAL PRODUCER IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY. Originally from France, Benoit studied "Art and Technology" in Paris and created a series of classic projects that will be remembered by the audience: art installation exhibitions at the Palace of Versailles, corporate social responsibility projects, web documentaries and viral experience websites.
关于 THE SHANGHAIREN
The Shanghairen is a creative project created by hundreds of illustrators from Shanghai and around the world. It pays homage to The New Yorker's iconic illustration cover and is a continuation of the inspiration for "The Parisianer" and "The Tokyoiter." Illustrators have complete freedom to create their own vision of Shanghai with their own perspective and style. Since 2019, there have been more than 100 illustrations.
origin
Understanding, paying tribute and giving
Shanghai, a city where history and culture meet, has different impressions in the hearts of different people. It is not only a symbol of China, but also a window to the world, where the cultures of the East and the West collide, and where tradition and modernity blend.
In 2019, while looking for Chinese artists for creative work in advertising, I discovered a number of talented Chinese illustrators, and I noticed "The Parisioner", an urban project in Paris that pays homage to the iconic illustration cover of The New Yorker.
As a foreigner, I had been living in Shanghai for five years at the time, and I felt that my knowledge of Shanghai was relatively limited, which was very different from what I had experienced firsthand. I am even more convinced that the charm of Shanghai needs to be discovered and experienced by more people in order to truly understand the uniqueness of its diverse culture.
That's why I came up with the idea to create The Shanghairen. This is not only a tribute to the city we love so much, and we hope to showcase the charm of the city to the world with other similar projects, but also a tribute to the young generation of Chinese illustrators, and hope that through such a platform, more people can see their extraordinary talents.
With this in mind, I launched the "The Shanghairen" project in 2019 on a trial basis, and I am deeply pleased that this idea has received enthusiastic response and support from the public.
moment
Perspective, Experience & Art
With their keen insight and profound life experience, each illustrator skillfully integrates the diverse face of Shanghai into each work. They use their unique artistic perspective and talent to show every bit of Shanghai, whether it is a small romantic moment, a spectacular cityscape, an ordinary daily life, or a story in memory. Through the rich vision of illustrators of different ages, nationalities, identities and preferences, I believe that every audience living in the magic city can resonate and surprise from it, and find their own Shanghai moment.
Author: Zhang Wenqi
Introduction: Two years ago, Zhang Wenqi chatted with Mr. Zheng Bingze, who participated in the construction of Sinan Mansion and Xintiandi, and when talking about the "Shanghai style" style, Zheng Bingze said: "There is no specific style of Shanghai style. She couldn't agree more. In Shanghai, the boundaries of time, culture, and geography have been broken. The painting embodies the characteristics of the city that "breaks boundaries": the girl's cheongsam is a blend of ancient wedding dresses and jazz style of the 30s of the 20th century. The space includes kites from the north, opera instruments from the south, antique furniture from the last century, and fashionable young people exploring the city trails. Natural elements such as plants, horses, and cranes reflect the influence of the "Garden City" movement led by Ebenezer Howard during the construction of the Wukang Road community in the 20th century.
Author: Luckya
Description: Rong House, one of the most elegant garden houses in Shanghai, has undergone six years of meticulous renovation by Prada, and its investment time has even exceeded the construction time of the original building. Inside the mansion, classic elements such as wood reliefs, stained glass and enamel tiles are intertwined to create an atmosphere of unparalleled elegance. Once the residence of the most powerful and famous, it is now known as the fashion capital, attracting countless influencers and celebrities.
Author: Yin Xin
Introduction: In Yin Xin's impression, the city of Shanghai has both a traditional Chinese side and a modern Chinese side. Through the different clothes and background environment of a Chinese woman, the characteristics of old Shanghai and new Shanghai are expressed. The woman on the left is dressed as a typical Shanghai woman during the Republic of China period (1912-1949), and the magnolia flower in the background is a traditional Chinese flower that is especially loved by Chinese. The woman on the right, dressed in a white suit, is a representative of modern urban women, and the three buildings in the background are the most representative architectural night scenes of Shanghai (Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower, and Shanghai World Financial Center).
Author: Ling Xiaoyu
Introduction: What touches Ling Xiaoyu most about Shanghai is its abstract sense of time, which blends the old and the new, fast and slow in different eras. In this contrasting relationship, it is clear to see the imprint left by the passage of time on a city. In the cover illustration, he uses a seagull reflex camera (from the Shanghai Camera Factory in the 60s of the 19th century) as a visual element to record the journey of an elderly couple from youth to gray hair. As the poem says: "Once upon a time, the sun became slow, cars, horses, and mail were slow, and there was only enough time to love one person in a lifetime." Nowadays, everything is changing at an accelerated pace, which is why "unchanged" is so valuable.
Author: Gao Ning
Introduction: The work is inspired by the elderly jazz band of the Peace Hotel in Shanghai, which is like a microcosm, showing the fashion engraved in the bones of Shanghai. The Eastern and Western cultures have been grinding here for more than 100 years, and they have been blended together, just like the scene of an old man playing Western musical instruments and an exotic woman wearing a cheongsam meeting by chance in the century-old building of the Peace Hotel, which is both unique and harmonious, just like the Shanghai in my heart, a beauty of mixed race between East and West, tradition and modernity.
significance
Memories, resonates and remembers
Everyone's impression of Shanghai is different, and even the same person's understanding of Shanghai will change at different times. The topic of "urban renewal" has once again attracted widespread attention, and many buildings in Shanghai are undergoing changes and transformations. The Shanghairen project preserves the city of Shanghai through the creation of different artists through this cross-era art form.
For example, the frequent appearance of shikumen elements in the works is a testament to Shanghai's history and architectural renovation. It has not only been torn down and rebuilt over the years, but also has become a symbol that every viewer can resonate with and identify with when they appreciate these works. Whether it is a local resident, a tourist or a resident from other places or even overseas, they can deeply feel and discover the unique charm of Shanghai through the works.
We hope to lead everyone into Shanghai in a familiar and creative way, touch its historical context, appreciate its modern style, so that everyone can find their own Shanghai memories and emotional resonance in this project.
Author: Curly Ear
作者:Yulong Flax
Author: Luca Lu
soil
Diversity, Inclusion & Freedom
Diversity, inclusion and freedom are indispensable for a city to be a fertile ground for cultural and economic development. These elements are intertwined to create a city's unique charm and appeal. In this regard, the city of Shanghai is undoubtedly an outstanding model. The city is a blend of historical heritage and modern avant-garde trends, giving the city an open-minded and varied temperament.
We eagerly hope that all parties can create a unique image of Shanghai in their hearts with their unique perspectives and artistic concepts in this free world. It is hoped that through this creative project, the world's attention will be focused on Shanghai, and at the same time, it is expected that the city, as the cradle of culture, can give birth to a richer and more diverse artistic and creative atmosphere.
On November 28, 2023, we gathered with dozens of artists and artists from all walks of life in Shanghai at the Villa Barseille, the official residence of the Consul General of France in Shanghai, to celebrate the republication of "The Shanghairen", and invited the Consul General of France in Shanghai to write a preface in French. The success of this evening party is the best proof of the cultural concept we have always adhered to, which not only promotes the exchange and integration between different cultures, but also further enhances the value of urban culture and space.