Delivering 5 Public Artworks for the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

When you think about public art in museums, you often think of individual artworks. A sculpture in the lobby, an installation in a plaza, or a landmark piece that becomes synonymous with the institution itself.

But increasingly, museums are thinking differently.

As cultural institutions evolve, public art is no longer treated as a singular destination piece. Instead, it is becoming part of a broader visitor experience. It is helping shape how people move through the museum space, engage with ideas, and connect with the institution before they even enter an exhibition.

Our involvement at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is a clear example of this. Our team contributed to the delivery of five distinct public artworks centered around the theme of ‘Nature · Man · Technology’. The vision crafted was ‘More Cutting-Edge, Smarter, Greener and More Integrated’, which explores new paths to integrate popular art with science. 

This accomplishment could be measured in numbers: four artists, five artworks, multiple locations within the museum, years of coordination, fabrication, logistics, and installation. Yet the story does not end there.

Together, the artworks contribute to something larger than any individual commission. Across five installations, the four artists explored different creative mediums and perspectives, creating a collective narrative that unfolds throughout the museum. The journey moves from natural ecosystems and the invisible forces that shape them, through human interaction and physical engagement, and ultimately towards the profound relationship between people and the world around them.

Despite their distinct artistic approaches, each work is connected by a shared idea: making the invisible visible. Gravity, airflow, sound waves, and ecological cycles are translated into tangible, interactive experiences, allowing visitors to intuitively engage with the hidden systems that connect our world.

Each artwork stands on its own while contributing to a broader story. Together, they create a cohesive experience that brings the exhibition's central theme 'All Things Are Connected' to life. In doing so, the program also reflects the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum's mission of making science accessible, engaging, and inspiring through immersive experiences.

Delivering five artworks within a single institution also presents a unique challenge. Success is no longer defined by the quality of an individual piece alone. Instead, attention shifts toward how multiple artworks coexist, how they contribute to the wider visitor experience, and how artists, designers, consultants, fabricators, and stakeholders work together to deliver a shared vision.

For projects of this scale, coordination becomes as important as craftsmanship. Every artwork has its own requirements, timeline, and creative ambitions, yet all must ultimately contribute to a coherent institutional experience.

At UAP, this type of work reflects a broader evolution in how public art is delivered. Increasingly, our role extends beyond fabrication into collaboration, strategic planning, and helping cultural institutions realize ambitious long-term visions.

The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum demonstrates what is possible when public art is considered not as a final addition to a project, but as an integral part of the visitor experience from the beginning.

The result is more than five artworks. It is a cultural environment where art, science, learning, and public space work together to shape how people experience the space.

Credits:

Binkai Hong - Associate

Rachel Liu - Lead Strategist

Qidong Workshop