contemplating mo gan shan road

My birthplace, Shanghai is currently all abuzz over the World Expo. Although I commend it for bringing together this sense of international friendship while highlighting this amazing city, it's a bit of a tourist trap. Unbearably long lines. Noisy people on their cell phones. A bit underwhelming, and sadly, because of the expo much of the city's old world flavor has now been lost to Western commercialization--such as the charming bargaining and bustle at Chen Huang Temple now replaced with... Dunkin' Donuts.

An alternative to the expo is Mo Gan Shan Road, a Shanghai's version of the Meatpacking District. What used to be rundown factories and warehouses are now artist havens. The tiny street surprisingly opens up to a complex full of nooks and crannies of studios and galleries. The forefront of China's contemporary art is located here, and the atmosphere is still strangely serene, tucked away from the high rises.

  (graffiti lined entrance, that's my mom looking hip)

Here's a favorite of mine, Korean artist Bon-A KOO, featured at Shun Art Gallery, Rm 103/208 Building 3
No.50 Mo Gan Shan Rd.