CULTURAL MASTER PLAN AND QUANZHOU MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART – QUANZHOU, CHINA

In 2011 GCAM was retained by the Quanzhou State Asset Bureau to develop a Cultural Master Plan, at the site of a former factory complex, for a world class cultural center that would include a museum of Modern and contemporary art and be an essential destination for international cultural tourists.  Frank Gehry was the architect for the Master Plan.

The Cultural Master Plan developed by GCAM encompassed a former factory complex to be renovated and converted into museum spaces for them to accommodate artworks commissions and exhibitions; a new museum building designed by Frank Gehry, whose iconic design would become the symbol of Quanzhou’s renaissance; and commercial and residential redevelopment of the surrounding area whose proceeds could fund the cultural components of the Master Plan.

The element that would make the new Quanzhou Museum of Contemporary Art unique would be the juxtaposition of the industrial architecture of the mid 20-century factory buildings with the ultra-contemporary, hi-tech sophistication and elegance of Frank Gehry.

The programming for the museum would focus on temporary exhibitions and commissions for contemporary artists.  Exhibitions would have a strong Chinese identity but still feature and engage all contemporary cultures in a vibrant aesthetic discourse.  Commissions for contemporary artists would be the most cost-efficient way to constitute the core of the collection.  Furthermore, in situ commissioned artworks would take advantage of the architectural specificities of the factory complex and give the museum’s collection its unique identity.