The life of the "BMW ethnicity" (bus walk metro) in Shanghai is a somber one. Shanghai boasts the longest metro system in the world, and has the 4th highest ridership in the world, yet those who ride the metro on a day to day basis probably wouldn't list it as something they cherish. Of the many adjectives people would use to describe the system in its current state today you could subdivide those descriptions into two groups: more ›

The only surprise to this story is how Ai Weiwei managed to stay not arrested for so long. Still we're a little sad that we won't have a chance to party with the guy come this weekend. According to his tumblr-based translators: "The Beijing State Security and Chaoyang State Security have come to declare the decision of their superiors: Ai Weiwei, immediately until 12:00 on the 7th, is under house arrest. He may not leave his residence. Outside the door of Caochangdi 258 [Ai's studio] the police are guarding. Please take care of the Twitter friends of the demolition of Ai Weiwei's studio in Malu Jiading, Shanghai and the grass mud horses who have come to the river crab feast. Accept my biggest apologies." more ›

Currently showing at Andrew James Gallery on Maoming Lu is Japanese American-implant AIKO's "Here's Fun for Everyone." And when Aiko says there's fun for everyone, she evidently means it. more ›

This year's JUE FestivalMusic + Art Festival, a celebration of the alternative, creative and progressive arts in Shanghai and Beijing, was tons of fun. For those who missed it, or those who want to relive moments of it, organizers Splitworks, in collaboration with Daedalum Films, have now put up a documentary of the event on Vimeo. more ›

Currently showing in - of all things - a mall is Leo Gallery's Art in Space exhibit. The show uses the large empty foyer in Times Square Mall to show off a four-story bird cage-cum-rocket and several other pieces. more ›

Shanghai is in for a surprise from Colombia, but not of the illicit kind. From dcist comes a heartwarming story of, well, heart statues that have been placed around DC as part of an advertising campaign from the Colombian government. Dcist surmises that the campaign, aptly named "Discover Colombia Through its Heart," is attempting to change the country's public image: apparently kidnapping and cocaine are bad draws for tourism. And lucky for us, Shanghai will soon be graced with the exhibition. more ›

When the summer heat starts making you drowsy this week, we recommend checking out some live music and art shows, networking with university alums, and ending the week with drunken KTV Shanghai Idol and the Not Me opening. more ›

Sometimes dubbed the Moganshan Lu of 15 years ago, the artists' enclave at 696 Weihai Lu, despite its central Shanghai location, has been pulsing under the radar for much of the past three years. Originally an opium den that was later turned into a factory, 696 Weihai is now home to around 40 residents, most of them artists and designers who have taken advantage of the the location and vibe to set up their studios and workspaces there. more ›

Calling all debonair designers with a flair for competition - this is the last week you can enter the Shanghai-based chapter of Cut&Paste, a contest for digital artists interested in showing off their artistic chops under pressure. more ›