Prada Rong Zhai
We visited Prada Rong Zhai, a Shanghai museum operated by the luxury brand PRADA, housed in a century-old mansion that took six years to restore.
WeChat has become ubiquitous in China, and tickets to Prada Rong Zhai must also be reserved and paid for in advance via WeChat Pay. However, WeChat Pay cannot be used without a Chinese bank account, so it is not possible to book (as of November 2019). We decided to head there in person to see whether we could purchase something like a same-day ticket by paying in cash.
Two security guards stand at the entrance of Prada Rong Zhai and ask visitors to present their tickets (they do not speak English). Since we had no reservation, we could not enter, but an English-speaking female PRADA staff member came out from inside to help us.
It was a Friday around 7 p.m., and by some miracle there were few visitors and the interior was quiet. The security guard used his smartphone to purchase two tickets for us, we handed over cash, and we were able to enter without any trouble (what fantastic service!).
Normally, even with a reservation there can be lines at certain times, so we simply got lucky. Yet the hospitality from staff went far beyond this — the many staff members who assisted us during our visit all provided outstanding service.
Li Qing
On view at the time was “Rear Windows,” a solo exhibition by Chinese artist Li Qing.
Taking “windows” as its theme, the show expresses the concept through painting, sculpture, photography, video, and many other media.
The exhibition treats Prada Rong Zhai itself as a “home,” with each room organized around its own theme.
The interior of Prada Rong Zhai — from the stained glass in the windows and ceilings to the floors, walls, and staircase railings — retains the history of the old mansion while realizing itself as a high-caliber museum. The building alone is worth the visit. It made for a wonderfully comfortable stay.
The many PRADA women stationed throughout the museum observe your pace and approach you at just the right moment. They are also well-trained in explaining the works, which greatly enhanced our impression of the brand.
Compared to Fondazione Prada in Milan, Italy, this is a museum of a completely different character and scale, but it is a wonderful, tranquil place all its own.
Details
Prada Rong Zhai
Address: No.186 North Shaan Xi Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai
Hours: 10:00–17:00, 10:00–20:00 (Fri and Sat)
Closed: Monday
Admission: 60 yuan (reservation required, WeChat Pay)
* Information as of the visit (November 2019).
Exhibition Overview
Li Qing
Rear Windows
Dates: November 7, 2019 – January 19, 2020
Curated by: Jérôme Sans
