Chanel has inaugurated Espace Gabrielle Chanel, a new library dedicated to contemporary art, at the Power Station of Art in Shanghai, marking the first public library of its kind in mainland China. The space is presented as a tribute to China’s vibrant contemporary art culture and as a long‑term investment in cultural infrastructure and research.
The new cultural space
Espace Gabrielle Chanel occupies the entire third floor of the Power Station of Art, transforming roughly 18,000 square feet into a combined reading room, research hub, and exhibition space. The project is part of a broader partnership between Chanel and the museum, aimed at expanding public access to art and reinforcing Shanghai’s role as a regional center for contemporary culture.
Collection and resources
The library houses more than 50,000 books and audiobooks focused on modern and contemporary art, with over 10,000 titles immediately accessible to the public at launch. In addition, the space will host the newly established Archive of Chinese Contemporary Art, intended to document and contextualize artistic practices from mainland China for researchers, students, and the wider public.
Design and architecture
Japanese architect Kazunari Sakamoto designed the interior, emphasizing openness, clear sightlines, and fluid transitions between study areas, exhibition zones, and social spaces. The venue also includes a renovated gallery, a 300‑seat theater, and a terrace with views over the Huangpu River, tying the museum’s industrial past to its contemporary cultural mission.
Chanel’s cultural strategy
Chanel describes Espace Gabrielle Chanel as an expression of its Culture Fund, which supports institutions and artists globally through commissions, research, and educational initiatives. The brand frames the library as a platform for intercultural exchange, foregrounding Chinese contemporary art while situating it within a broader international dialogue
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
