Core Viewpoint - Various museums in Shanghai, including the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Contemporary Art Museum, are launching special exhibitions and activities for the New Year, focusing on cultural heritage and contemporary art [1]. Group 1: Shanghai Museum Exhibitions - The Shanghai Museum is hosting the "Spring Wind Qiji: Year of the Horse Zodiac Exhibition" from February 4 to March 17, featuring 16 pieces of horse-themed artifacts spanning over a thousand years [2]. - The exhibition includes notable items such as the bronze horse and chariot from the Han Dynasty and various artworks by famous artists like Xu Beihong and Zhang Daqian [2]. - Additionally, the museum will offer a special program titled "Celebrating the New Year in the Museum," featuring traditional cultural activities and several ongoing exhibitions [4]. Group 2: Shanghai Contemporary Art Museum - The Shanghai Contemporary Art Museum will run its annual "Young Curators Program" from February 7 to May 5, showcasing individual artist exhibitions curated by emerging talents [5][6]. - This year's selected projects include "LiHi: Beautiful New Brain" and "Wish You Were Here in 2047," focusing on immersive experiences and the multifaceted identities of contemporary artists [6]. Group 3: Other Museum Activities - The PSA's special project "One Horse Returns to One Horse" will take place from February 10 to March 31, featuring 12 artists' interpretations of the horse as a living experience rather than a mere symbol of struggle [7]. - The Shanghai Biennale "Can Flowers Hear the Bees?" is currently ongoing and will continue until March 31 [8]. Group 4: Shanghai Science and Technology Museum - The "Galloping Steeds: Year of the Horse Science and Culture Exhibition" will be held at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum starting February 17, showcasing the historical significance of horses through artifacts and interactive technology [12][13]. - The exhibition will feature over 20 horse-themed artifacts from the Palace Museum, integrating digital technology for an immersive experience [13]. - The Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will reopen on February 17 after renovations, with extended hours during the New Year holiday [13]. Group 5: Pudong Art Museum - The "Tribute to Whales" exhibition at the Pudong Art Museum will run from February 12, 2026, to February 21, 2027, featuring life-sized installations of two humpback whales [10]. - This exhibition is a collaboration with the Tate Museum, highlighting the connection between humans and nature through art [10][11].

Core Viewpoint - The "Spring Breeze Qiji: Year of the Horse Zodiac Exhibition" at the Shanghai Museum showcases 16 pieces of horse-related artifacts, highlighting the significance of horses in Chinese civilization over 2000 years [3][12]. Group 1: Exhibition Highlights - The exhibition features the oldest horse artifact, a round sculpture of a white jade horse from the Western Han Dynasty, symbolizing the pursuit of dreams [5][13]. - A notable piece is the "Six Steeds of Zhao Ling," depicting six war horses from the Tang Dynasty, with one horse shown valiantly fighting despite being wounded [14][16]. - The exhibition includes various representations of horses, from symbols of courage and success to depictions of daily life, showcasing the diverse cultural significance of horses in Chinese history [19]. Group 2: Cultural Significance - Horses are portrayed as symbols of courage, dreams, and success, reflecting the enduring spirit of Chinese civilization [19]. - The exhibition emphasizes the romantic and optimistic spirit of ancient horses, encapsulating the idea of "using dreams as a horse" [8]. - The artifacts illustrate the integration of different cultural elements, such as the painted pottery figurines from the Tang Dynasty, which represent the Silk Road's cultural exchanges [19].

Core Viewpoint - The Shanghai Museum has announced an ambitious exhibition plan for 2026, featuring a total of 18 special exhibitions, including a major retrospective on the artist Ba Da Shan Ren (Zhu Da) to commemorate his 400th birthday, and a significant exhibition on the Qin Dynasty, the first unified central authority in Chinese history [3][4]. Group 1: Exhibition Highlights - The museum will host 12 new exhibitions at its People's Square venue and one new exhibition abroad, along with 5 ongoing exhibitions [3]. - A major highlight will be the "World Tree Summit: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas" exhibition, featuring over 1,000 artifacts from various ancient civilizations across the Americas [13][14]. - The "Rainforest Adventure: Maya Adventure" and "Flying Over Machu Picchu: Cloud City Inca Journey" will be immersive experience exhibitions utilizing VR technology [15][17]. Group 2: Notable Collaborations - The museum will collaborate with the British National Portrait Gallery for an exhibition showcasing portraits and manuscripts of 82 prominent British authors from Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling [20][21]. - A partnership with the National Museum of Gyeongju in South Korea will present a selection of 256 representative artifacts from the Silla Dynasty, focusing on themes of gold culture and Buddhist art [25][26]. - The museum will also work with the Metropolitan Museum of Art to present a jewelry exhibition featuring 192 pieces from their collection, alongside selected Chinese art pieces [28][29]. Group 3: Special Thematic Exhibitions - The "肇兴中国：秦·大一统之路文物考古特展" will focus on the Qin Dynasty, showcasing the latest archaeological findings from Gansu and Shaanxi provinces [22][23]. - The "大音希声：八大山人诞辰400周年书画艺术大展" will be the largest exhibition ever dedicated to Ba Da Shan Ren, featuring around 180 works from various prestigious institutions [33][34]. - The "来自喜马拉雅的瑰宝：西藏萨迦寺文物精品展" will highlight the unique cultural and artistic achievements of Tibetan Buddhism through artifacts from the Sakya Monastery [31].

Core Insights - Shanghai Museum is set to launch a series of 18 special exhibitions in 2026, aiming to present a rich cultural experience that integrates art, history, and imagination [1][4] - The "World Tree Summit: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas" exhibition will take place from July this year to October next year, featuring over 1,000 artifacts and aiming to be the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of its kind [2][3] Exhibition Details - The "World Tree Summit" exhibition will cover nearly 6,000 square meters across three floors, showcasing a panoramic view of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations [2] - The exhibition will include immersive experiences, such as "Rainforest Adventure: Maya Expedition" and "Fly Over Machu Picchu: Cloud Inca Journey," utilizing VR technology to enhance visitor engagement [3] Visitor Engagement - In 2025, the East Hall and People's Square Hall of Shanghai Museum received 7.03 million visitors, with 74% from outside the province and 6% from abroad [1] - The museum plans to continue its commitment to high-quality exhibitions, responding to audience demand and expectations [4] Upcoming Collaborations - The museum will collaborate with various international institutions, including multiple museums in Mexico for the Americas exhibition, and will also host significant exhibitions from the UK and South Korea [2][6][7] - Notable upcoming exhibitions include "From Shakespeare to J.K. Rowling: Portraits and Works of British Writers" and "Under the Golden Crown: Highlights of Silla Art," showcasing a range of historical artifacts and literary works [6][7]