China’s Latest Art Museum Is Embedded in a Sand Dune

Art, nature, and architecture combine to extraordinary effect at UCCA Dune, a new, semisubterranean art space in China’s Beidaihe District (considered the Hamptons of Beijing). Designed by OPEN Architecture, the museum is the second outpost of the renowned Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, founded by Belgian mega-collectors Guy and Myriam Ullens. The debut exhibition, “After Nature,” features work by nine artists, including Political Pop artist Li Shan. There are plans for a second, partially submerged ocean gallery, reachable only at low tide. 

Aerial view of UCCA Dune. Photo: Wu Qingshan

The UCCA Dune Art Museum is built into the sand dunes. Photo: Wu Qingshan

Works by Zhuang Hui & Dan’er in the exhibition “After Nature.” Photo: Courtesy of UCCA Dune

Zhen Bo’s works on display in the “After Nature” exhibition. Photo: Courtesy of UCCA Dune

A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2018 Winter issue in the section called The Artful Life. Subscribe to the magazine.