International studio Open Architecture has brought the work of Lina Bo Bardi to Shanghai in a new exhibition titled The Poetics of Survival. Hosted at the Power Station of Art, the installation marks the first major presentation of the late architect's work in China. The design centers on a continuous curve formed by hanging linen curtains that frame specific displays throughout the rectangular gallery space.
One of the most notable features of the exhibition is a replica of the indoor pond from the iconic SESC Pompéia community center. While the original 1977 design is permanently set into the floor, the version in Shanghai appears to hover just above the gallery ground. The designers filled the pond with various sizes of pebbles and installed a water feature that drips from the ceiling to echo the sensory experience of the Brazilian original.
The exhibition is divided into nine distinct spaces. Open Architecture curated these areas to showcase a mix of original sketches, photographs, and videos. To provide a grounded perspective on Bo Bardi’s creative process, the studio constructed custom furniture, including a bench crafted from wooden beams and a latticed divider made of glass and concrete.
The studio intends for the layout to reflect Bo Bardi's design ethos rather than acting as a traditional display of static objects. By using large-scale projections on the linen curtains, the exhibit creates a constant sense of movement. This approach aims to offer visitors a glimpse into the everyday reality of Brazil during the time the architect was active, connecting her historical projects to a contemporary audience in Shanghai.