Opening and inaugural program in Yixing

Following the success of UCCA Beijing (opened 2007), UCCA Dune (opened 2018, Beidaihe), and UCCA Edge (opened 2021, Shanghai), UCCA Clay opens on October 19, 2024 as the fourth museum in the UCCA constellation in China. Situated in Yixing City, approximately two hours west of Shanghai and renowned as China’s historic “City of Ceramics,” the museum reinforces UCCA’s continuous commitment to presenting the best in contemporary art to audiences in China while addressing growing demand for world-class art programming throughout the country and the Asia Pacific region.

Drawing inspiration from the blend of culturally-rich ceramics heritage of Yixing with contemporary ceramics art, UCCA Clay will serve as a dynamic platform for exploring the diverse potential of the medium with three exhibitions each year, curated by the UCCA team. These exhibitions will showcase the works of both Chinese and international artists, facilitating exchange and understanding between China and the global art community.

For the museum’s opening, its inaugural exhibition The Ways of Clay: Select Award-Winning Works from the International Ceramics Festival Mino of the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan blends Yixing’s ceramics heritage with UCCA’s global artistic vision for contemporary art to spark and celebrate cross-cultural dialogue with the unique art form. Curated by UCCA Director Philip Tinari and UCCA Assistant Curator Zhang Yao, the exhibition showcases 69 award-winning artworks by 65 artists from 17 countries, selected from the International Ceramics Festival Mino of Japan’s Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan, highlighting the diversity and innovation in ceramic forms, shapes, and artistic approach. The exhibition title, The Way of Clay, is a fusion of classical Chinese philosophy elements with contemporary artistic interpretations, expressing the medium’s historic as well as contemporary craftsmanship and creativity.

Covering 2,400 square meters, UCCA Clay is designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, celebrated for his philosophy of “architecture for the five senses.” This is the first of his projects to use ceramics or clay as a primary building material. The design harmonizes traditional technique with modern aesthetics, featuring a striking façade of specially crated ceramic panels. Fired at high temperatures, these panels exude subtle changes in texture and color variations that shift with changing light and angle of perception, resulting in a “kiln-transmutation” effect.  Kengo Kuma’s design adopts “clay elements” as its core concept, with the museum building both an artistic interpretation and homage to the Yixing’s long-standing heritage of ceramic arts production.

The museum’s design, with its unique visual identity and artistic roots, thoughtfully integrates elements of its surroundings landscapes for a cohesive environment. Passageways connect the museum building with its surrounding plaza, river, and nearby historical sites, guiding visitors to appreciate the profound interaction of art, architecture, and environment. Kengo Kuma’s vision of “architecture for the five senses” for UCCA Clay  is an immersive experience for approaching contemporary ceramics art in the “City of Ceramics.”

With the opening of UCCA Clay, Yixing  is set to welcome a new cultural and artistic landmark, infusing vitality into the cultural ecosystem while contributing to the urban development of the Yangtze River Delta region. UCCA Clay is envisioned to serve as a vital link connecting Yixing and the international art world, positioning China’s unique ceramic heritage within broader global dialogue.