Life is Like Architecture: Meet I.M. Pei in Shanghai

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Life is Like Architecture: Meet I.M. Pei in Shanghai

This spring, Shanghai welcomes I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture, the first major retrospective of the Chinese American architect in the mainland.

I. M. Pei (1917-2019), a Pritzker Prize laureate, left a global legacy of architecture over seven decades. His iconic buildings — like the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, and the Suzhou Museum — helped redefine modern architecture while honoring history and place.

Born in Guangzhou and raised in Shanghai and Suzhou, I.M. Pei’s early exposure to Jiangnan gardens and urban landscapes shaped his cross-cultural design sensibilities. This Shanghai exhibition marks a homecoming, with more than 400 drawings, models, photographs, and films.

In the city where I.M. Pei’s journey began, Life Is Architecture invites visitors to rediscover the man whose designs helped shape the world.

I.M. Pei
I.M. Pei: Life is Like Architecture“, the first comprehensive retrospective exhibition on Chinese-born American architect Ieoh Ming Pei (1917-2019) in the Chinese mainland, is on display at the Power Station of Art in Shanghai from Apr 26 to Jul 27. (All photos from CNS)
Ieoh Ming Pei
The exhibition brings over 400 precious drawing manuscripts, architectural models, and literature materials, tracing the architect’s creative trajectory across eastern and western cultural design philosophies. Photo shows the first exhibit of the exhibition, the iconic round glasses of Ieoh Ming Pei.
Ieoh Ming Pei
A model of the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong designed by Ieoh Ming Pei.
Ieoh Ming Pei
Tourist looking a model of the hyperboloid building designed by Ieoh Ming Pei.
I.M. Pei
A model of the Museum of Islamic Art designed by Ieoh Ming Pei.
Ieoh Ming Pei
The designing plans for the Shanghai Museum of Chinese Art by Ieoh Ming Pei.

If you liked this article why not read: A Culinary Encounter with Museums

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