The Resident: Kelly Ying’s Guide to Shanghai
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If the number of followers one has on Instagram is a sign of their fame, then within the art world Kelly Ying is a veritable superstar. But there’s more to this art collecting, art fair-founding, fashion-forward, Shanghai-based entrepreneur and contemporarThe Resident: Kelly Ying’s Guide to Shanghai
If the number of followers one has on Instagram is a sign of their fame, then within the art world Kelly Ying is a veritable superstar. But there’s more to this art collecting, art fair-founding, fashion-forward, Shanghai-based entrepreneur and contemporary style icon than her Instagram profile and supermodel good looks – much more.The wife of fellow influential art collector David Chau, Ms. Ying’s Instagram profile description and glamorous selfies hint at her history and experience in the fashion industry. But it’s her role as the co-founder of the ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair that is the best indicator of her current focus and preoccupation.Ms. Ying co-founded ART021 with Bao Yifeng in 2013, establishing what has rapidly become one of the most important and influential art fairs of the Asia Pacific region. The fifth edition of ART021 takes place in 2017 from November 9-12 at the Shanghai Exhibition Center with a lineup of 84 leading galleries from all over the world.As one of China’s best-known and high-profile art collectors, Ms. Ying has considerable influence and is considered one of the art world’s most powerful figures. Her impressive art collection spans both contemporary Chinese and Western artists, including works by the likes of Zhang Enli, Mark Hagen, Xu Zhen, Firenze Lai, and Dong Dawei.BLOUIN ARTINFO recently got in touch with Ms. Ying and asked her about her favourite places, to eat, stay, and visit in her home city of Shanghai.What are your recommendations for must-visit places in Shanghai and whyThe Bund: No. 3, No.5, No.10, No.18, The Peace Hotel, and the Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) are definite must-visit places. In the Bund you will have the historical buildings and colonial culture, as well as the architecture of the Shanghai riverside.French Concession: a must-visit area in Shanghai, the French concession is very wide – it is the best area to walk in Shanghai. Ferguson Lane has the best boutique shops, cafés, and a few galleries. The French concession is the heart and soul of Shanghai.What restaurants, bars, and cafes would you recommend in Shanghai and why?The “Old” Jesse Restaurant in Tianping Road is the best Shanghainese restaurant. Few Michelin-star restaurants in the Bund are worth trying. Shanghai has lots of boutique cafés in the French concession that sell high quality coffee in well-designed spaces. The newly opened boutique café called TC Café in Xintiandi is very good. You won’t want to miss this one.Bars: Le Baron is the most popular bar for Shanghai art peeps – it is a Parisian club with decent music. The Shelter, on the other hand, is an underground club with dance music.Where would you go and what would you do if you had a free morning or afternoon in Shanghai?Sometimes I go jogging in the French Concession in the morning, followed by a healthy breakfast – fresh juice is necessary. I always have an afternoon tea session.Where would you head to in Shanghai for the best shopping and what would you buy?I don’t normally do a lot of shopping in Shanghai, to be honest, because I travel a lot. So I shop while I’m abroad. Sometimes I shop online.Where would you recommend people stay (hotels etc.) when they visit Shanghai?The Puli Hotel is very nice – a mixture of East and West. Very zen. The Peninsula Hotel is all time favorite – classic and comfortable. There are also few new hotels opening in 2017: Capella Shanghai in Jianguo West Road looks like it will be a good place to stay.What are the best places to see and buy art in Shanghai?ART021 is the best places to see and buy art in Shanghai for sure! But if you are not traveling to Shanghai during November 9-12 2017 (our fair date), you should definite pay a visit to M50 as there are lots of good galleries there. Also ShanghART Gallery and Leo Xu Projects in the French Concession.What are some of Shanghai’s best secret places that everyone should discover?If I’m sharing it for this interview it will no longer remain as secret places. Lol. Okay, there is a local restaurant at 124 Jinxian Rd called Chun (Spring). It only has 6 tables. The fabric market in Dong Jia Du at 399 Liu Jia Bang Rd is a great place for exploration and discovery (if you are a fabric lover).What projects are you currently working on/involved in?2017 will mark the fifth year of ART021, I’m currently working on the preparation for next year. Also there is a young artist award and art merchandise project. Read more