"An Imprint of Spain in China" Exhibition

An Imprint of Spain in China Exhibit (2011) at South Bund 22 (Shanghai)

In tribute to the 80th anniversary of the death of Abelardo Lafuente, Alvaro Leonardo and his partners from Polifactory organized and designed ‘An Imprint of Spain in China’ exhibition in Shanghai about his legacy. The exhibition, featuring the hidden story of Spanish architecture in China, was the result of the research overseen by Alvaro Leonardo, about Abelardo Lafuente (1871-1931), the first Spanish architect in China, who introduced the neo Arab spanish style in Shanghai, and was responsible for the design of some of the most luxurious ballrooms in Asia and other landmarks of the city.

An Imprint of Spain in China Exhibit (2011) Opening Ceremony with Spanish Consul

The exhibition was opened by the Spanish Consul on the 3th of December 2011 and held in the historic Bund area, inside the South Bund 22 building. From a storage place during the French Concession to a factory during the early years of the PRC, the building was renovated to house luxury businesses. A cultural exhibit has never been made before in any Bund premises; a special permit was required from the authorities.

An Imprint of Spain in China Exhibit (2011) at South Bund 22 (Shanghai) opening

For this exhibition, the architects managed to convince the owner to use one of the GF retail spaces that was empty and without interior design finishes. The highlight of the exhibition was the way in which the research findings were presented – screened onto the inside of three large-scale “walk-in” lamps hanging from a 6-meter ceiling height.

An Imprint of Spain in China Exhibit (2011) Inner lamps atmosphere

The concept design was based on using a common element of people’s daily life in China: paper lamps. The layout was designed in such a way that the information would be unveiled piece by piece as the public enveloped itself in the spaces created by the three square-shaped lamps. Each lamp presented a part of the work, life, and legacy of Abelardo Lafuente, while together they organized the space and provided smooth light to guide visitors and illuminate the unfinished space.

An Imprint of Spain in China Exhibit (2011) Models and inside lamps

The exhibition was open for two weeks only on the Bund as it was unaffordable to pay rent for a cultural exhibit.