Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

FOTOGRAFISKA, the acclaimed contemporary museum of photography, art and culture based in Sweden, will open its doors in Shenzhen on Oct. 1 at the Shenzhen Bay MixC shopping mall — adding a second Asian location to its global family that already includes Stockholm, Berlin, Tallinn, and Shanghai. Founded in Stockholm in 2010, Fotografiska is known for its immersive, visitor‑centric approach to visual art.

The Shenzhen outpost spans 5,300 square meters and features five exhibition spaces, including one with a 12‑meter‑high ceiling capable of accommodating oversized works.

Christian Devillers, managing director of Fotografiska China, said at an agreement-signing ceremony in Shenzhen last week that the museum’s lighting design is deliberately refined, allowing photography to “float” in space while freeing visitors from the sense of enclosed gallery walls. The venue also houses MONA, a restaurant blending European and Chinese influences.

“We curate restaurants and retail the same way as we curate our exhibitions,” Devillers said. “We think food can be art — and can be enjoyed as much as art.”

Public programs — including lectures, workshops, music and art performances, and educational activities — will be woven into the visitor journey. The museum will stay open until 11 p.m., offering after‑work access and a social atmosphere within the cultural space, according to Devillers.

Asked why Shenzhen was chosen, Devillers said that the city “represents one of the most energetic and forward‑looking cities in Asia,” with a strong foundation in innovation, design and technology that creates a natural environment for experimenting with the “museum of tomorrow.”

Venue: Fotografiska Shenzhen, L3, C2 Zone, Shenzhen Bay MixC, 1218 Haide 1st Road, Nanshan District (南山区海德一道1218号深圳湾万象城C2区L3 Fotografiska深圳湾美术馆).

Metro: Line 2, 11 or 13 to Houhai Station (后海站),Exit K1.