Shanghai 1924

"Shanghai 1924": A pioneering VR project that seamlessly blends immersive theater, gamified storytelling, and museological innovation, Shanghai 1924 offers a poetic and evocative journey through early 20th-century Shanghai. Guided by the legendary architect László Hudec and three enigmatic, iconic women, the experience unfolds against the backdrop of the historic Wukang Mansion, capturing the Art Deco elegance, shifting social dynamics, and the generational trajectories of women during this transformative era. The project vividly encapsulates Shanghai’s contested identity as a burgeoning global metropolis and cultural crossroads.

Participants, organized in groups of four, don VR headsets to navigate an expansive, location-based virtual reconstruction of Wukang Mansion. Together, they embark on a midnight citywalk through Shanghai, traversing a century of history. Along the way, they encounter Hudec and engage with rich dramatic narratives, as well as intimate vignettes of everyday life, viewed through the perspectives of three distinct characters: the glamorous movie star Miss Wang, the enigmatic maid Aunt Zhong, and the optimistic guide Nana. Interactive scenes set within opulent Art Deco interiors immerse visitors in the 1920s, highlighting the city’s cultural evolution, architectural grandeur, and the burgeoning feminist consciousness of the time.

Debuting on Wukang Road in June 2024, the exhibition drew over 10,000 visitors within two months and garnered widespread media acclaim. Shanghai 1924 has firmly established itself as a groundbreaking and exceptional VR experience in China, redefining the possibilities of immersive storytelling and historical engagement.