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{{Infobox building
|name=Oriental Art Center
|image=2011 Shanghai Oriental Art Center1.JPG
|building_type=Arts complex
|architectural_style=
|structural_system={{nowrap|Reïnforced concrete frame,}}<br>{{nowrap|steel roof girder,}}<br>glass facade
|cost=
|location=[[Pudong]], [[Shanghai]]
|start_date= 26 March 2002
|completion_date= 31 December 2004
|inauguration_date= 1 July 2005
|architect=[[Paul Andreu]]
|main_contractors=
|structural_engineer=
}}
The '''Shanghai Oriental Art Center''' ({{zh|s={{linktext|上海|东方|艺术|中心}} |t=上海東方藝術中心 |p=Shànghǎi Dōngfāng Yìshù Zhōngxīn}}), abbreviated '''SHOAC''', is one of the leading [[performing arts|performance]] and cultural facilities in [[Shanghai]]. The five interconnected hemispherical halls or "petals" are shaped to resemble a [[butterfly orchid]] from above.<ref name=aboutus>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=151 "Prelude".]</ref> They comprise the Entrance Hall, the [[#Concert Hall|Concert Hall]], the [[#Opera Hall|Opera Hall]], the [[#Performance Hall|Performance Hall]], and the [[#Exhibition Hall|Exhibition Hall]]. The high-tech ceiling changes color during the night to reflect the nature of the performances inside. Located off [[Century Avenue]] in [[Pudong]], the SHOAC was opened with a New Year's Eve concert in 2004 and officially opened on July 1, 2005.
==History==
The facility was jointly constructed by the [[Shanghai Municipal Government]] and [[Pudong New Area Government]] on a budget of 1.1 billion [[RMB]]. The right to operate its grounds were won by the [[Poly Culture and Arts Co., Ltd.|Poly Culture and Arts Company]] in September 2003; they then partnered with the [[Wenhui-Xinmin United Press Group]] to establish the Shanghai Oriental Art Center Management Company, Limited. This company continues to manage the property and its subsidiary facilities, despite Poly's interest having been replaced by [[Beijing Poly Theatre Management Co., Ltd.|Beijing Poly Theatre Management]] in June 2009 and WXUPG's by the [[Shanghai United Media Group]] in January 2014.<ref name=aboutus/>
==Performances==
Various cultural and musical performances are held in the center, beginning from the 2005 [[Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra]] Shanghai Concert. It's a regular venue for concert performances and its popular "Chinese Traditional Opera Series" hosts performances by the [[China National Opera]], the [[Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company]] and [[Shanghai Kunqu Company]], and the [[Shanghai Yueju Opera Troupe]]. The OAC's Saturday Brunch Concerts claim audiences of over {{nowrap|100&thinsp;000}} every year.<ref name=aboutus/>
==Facilities==
===Architecture===
The building was designed by French architect [[Paul Andreu]] and the [[Huadong Architectural Design & Research Institute]]. The façades are mainly [[laminated glass]] incorporating perforated metal sheets. The dark [[granite]] floors and multi-layered glass screen walls aim to create a softly diffused forest floor effect. The separate "petals" of the construction are hung with large distinctly colored pebbles to differentiate them.<ref name=archi>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=152 "Freezing Notes."]</ref> The backstage facilities include an Orchestra Rehearsal Hall, Choir Rehearsal Hall, Dance Rehearsal Hall, and Integrated Rehearsal Hall.<ref name=aux/>
===Concert Hall===
The Concert Hall has 1953 seats, a computer-controlled elevating stage, and an 88-[[Diapason (pipe organ)|diapason]] 5-layer [[organ (music)|organ]] by [[Austria]]'s Rieger Pipe Organ.<ref name=archi/> It houses 2 VIP and 7 regular [[dressing room (theater)|dressing rooms]].<ref name=aux/>
===Opera Hall===
The Opera Hall has 1015 seats, divided into three areas and designed to recreate the intimate experience of [[Italian opera houses]]. The [[orchestra pit]] is {{convert|120|sqm|sp=us|abbr=on}} and able to accommodate up to 100 musicians. The central stage provides computer-controlled side, ice, and ballet platforms in addition to the main large-scale platform.<ref name=archi/> It houses 2 VIP and 15 common [[dressing room (theater)|dressing rooms]].<ref name=aux/>
===Performance Hall===
The Performance Hall has 333 seats and is modeled on semicircular [[Roman theater (structure)|Roman theaters]]. Its performance floor is golden [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[pearwood]].<ref name=archi/> It has 4 [[dressing room (theater)|dressing rooms]].<ref name=aux/>
===Exhibition Hall===
The Exhibition Hall is located on the second floor of its petal of the Oriental Art Center. It covers {{convert|250|sqm|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} and has {{convert|9.8|m|sp=us|adj=on}} high walls.<ref name=aux>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=144 "Auxiliaire Facilities."]</ref>
===Other facilities===
The venue also features ancillary public facilities, including the 100-seat Paris Shanghai [[French cuisine|French]] restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner,<ref>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=142 "Restaurant."]</ref> the {{convert|530|sqm|sp=us|adj=on}} Café Salon Etoile and an adjacent gift store,<ref>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=143 "Cafe & Gift Store."]</ref> and 11 [[piano]] training classrooms.<ref name=aux/> The '''Shanghai Gallery of Antique Music Boxes and Automata''' is located at the SHOAC, displaying over 200 antique [[music box]]es and European [[automata]], including the oldest extant music box in the world, constructed in 1796 by [[Antoine Favre-Salomon]].<ref>SHOAC. [http://en.shoac.com.cn/Content.asp?nrID=141 "Antique Music Box Gallery."]</ref>
==Outreach==
The Oriental Art Center engages with the broader public through free admission days every month, [[student discount|reduced-fare student tickets]], and weekly lectures on art and music appreciation.<ref name=aboutus/>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
* [http://en.shoac.com.cn/ Official website]
{{Pudong}}
{{Shanghai}}
{{coord|31.22495|121.536899|display=t|type:landmark}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Opera houses in China]]
[[Category:Theatres in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Culture in Shanghai]]
[[Category:Pudong]]
[[Category:2002 in Shanghai]]