It's strange to go to China — in the midst of a contemporary-art boom, or bubble as could be feared — and encounter a stunning exhibition of American art. But that's what Shanghai's Museum of Contemporary Art is currently offering visitors.
With "Art in America Now," the MOCA has scored a well-curated sample of what is going on currently in American arts. Organized by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the show glides over a number of different artists but ultimately provides a thematic view of a vibrant, self-aware culture.
The MOCA sits quietly in the center of Shanghai, ensconced in a garden within People's Park. As soon as you enter, the first floor immediately engages you with large works spaciously laid out in the two-story space. They act as a gentle introduction that arrests rather than screams for attention.