Photo by Justin Jin / Provided to China Daily

Xu says the interactive installation brought the concrete building closer to the community. It connected the modern skyscraper with the old shikumen houses and reminded people of the past and changing urban landscape.

Galleries and contemporary artists are like "people who talk to themselves", says curator Borysevicz. By bringing art work to public spaces, such as commercial buildings, art becomes relevant, and artists connect with the public.

By hosting art shows, the commercial buildings provide not only shopping but also a cultural experience. It enhances the appreciation of beautiful things, Borysevicz adds.

Earlier this year Xu curated the show Shanghai Surprise, bringing together important works from the city's contemporary art scene over recent decades. The exhibition took place at K11, a newly revamped mall on Huaihai Middle Road.

Xu was glad to find, months later, an image from the show appearing as the avatar of an online social network user. "That brings contemporary art to a new context," he says. "It melts into modern life."

K11 Shanghai identifies itself as the first and only "art mall" in China. It was developed by the Hong Kong-based New World Group. The executive director, Adrian Cheng, is a collector of contemporary art himself. The mall has a whole floor reserved for art in the basement, where it puts on exhibitions and hosts lectures and other art events.