CIMEN "Border Nomadism": Inspiring Creativity, Co-Creating a Modern Nomadic Living Lab

PART 1

Connecting Art and Life

On the evening of April 29, 2025, a boundary-defying exhibition blending art and lifestyle opened at CIMEN in Shanghai.

On the day of the event, CIMEN Shanghai joined hands with the Urban Nomad Art Museum and the Neo Woo team from ENNOVA Art Museum to launch the “Border Nomadism” exhibition. Thirteen artists from China and abroad collaborated with brands such as Pronorm (Germany), Fuli, RARA, vifa Custom, and Run Audio to break away from the conventional logic of retail spaces. Through theatrical interpretations, they transformed the commercial venue into a “mobile theater,” attracting artists, designers, brand representatives, and media to gather and witness this immersive home art exhibition that explores the intersections of art, lifestyle, and urban culture.

"Border Nomadism" reimagines space through tangible, sensory design materials, deconstructing and reconstructing them with a spirit of cross-disciplinary innovation and symbiotic thinking. Set against the layered context of sustainable design, digital technology, and contemporary art, the exhibition sparks transformative collaborations between material suppliers, designers, artists, and tech innovators—together co-creating a modern nomadic lab of fusion and regeneration.

Meanwhile, a special tribute exhibition commemorating the 22nd anniversary of Leslie Cheung’s passing adds a poignant humanistic touch to the overall showcase, blending cultural memory with artistic expression.

From the cross-disciplinary collisions of contemporary art to the emotional resonance of musical memory, every detail of the on-site experience seeks to reimagine the sustainable relationship between people and materials within a defined space—posing deeper questions about the very nature of contemporary art.

PART 2
Welcome to CIMEN’s Night of Hidden Treasures

At the opening ceremony, organizers, curators, and media guests took the stage to share insights from their respective professional perspectives, offering layered interpretations of the "Border Nomadism" exhibition.

Jun YOU, General Manager of CIMEN Shanghai, spoke from the vantage point of brand development, reaffirming the company’s mission to “promote an international lifestyle” and its ongoing commitment to “empowering commerce through art.” He expressed the hope that art could serve as a key to unlocking the boundaries of commercial space—transforming home furnishing venues from mere marketplaces into cultural platforms that convey aesthetics and innovative ways of living.

Ottavio Zhang, founder of the Urban Nomad Art Museum, shared the museum’s core curatorial philosophy of “borderless curation,” as well as its collaborative approach to exhibition-making—integrating the urban ecosystem to deliver multifaceted creative content.

He expressed a vision of connecting artworks and trend-driven IPs with brand spaces, allowing them to take root and grow within the everyday energy of commercial environments. Through theatrical storytelling, the model fosters more authentic and engaging interactions between commerce, brands, art, and the public. CIMEN provides a sustainable platform for marketing events, brands contribute immersive and artful scenes that enhance the shopping atmosphere, and artworks engage audiences through performative interactions—helping people understand the true meaning behind the art, develop appreciation, and even make a purchase.

In this spirit, Zhang referenced a phrase from CIMEN’s brand philosophy: “Let art infuse life, and let life be filled with art.” He hopes this model of artistic interpretation will become a regular part of CIMEN’s programming, co-creating a vibrant community centered around artistic living in collaboration with more commercial partners.

The exhibition is curated by Eric Bian, head of the emerging art brand NEO-WOO.
Titled “Border Nomadism” (anti-entropy, glitch aesthetics), the exhibition traces the theme of identity in flux—positioning itself in opposition to “localism,” and moving “content” nomadically beyond its expected contexts. It enters others’ “territories” to provoke dialogue around identity and value.

By doing so, value becomes rooted in the expression of content itself. Through a loosely curated, intentionally disordered approach, the influence of the “curator’s hand” is minimized.

We have deliberately created a “glitch” through non-standardized, unconventional methods—believing that glitch is a way to challenge existing systems and resist algorithmic control. A glitch demands resolution. In the process of resolving it, we clarify our intentions and direction—ironically, it is through this rupture that we reclaim agency and effectiveness.

A glitch, in this context, is like an unscripted play, where every so-called “extra” becomes the protagonist of a new order.

Commerce is the engine that powers the world, while art is the key to deciphering its underlying codes.

At CIMEN’s Night of Hidden Treasures, a much-anticipated live business talk—"Borderless Convergence: LIVE TALK"—took center stage. In a highlight moment of intellectual exchange, Jun CHEN (Co-founder of Urban Nomad Art Museum), Yiqing XUAN (Chief Planner and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at CIMEN Group), and Yingming ZHAO (former Vice President of JD.com and current MBA mentor at Changjiang Business School) engaged in a thought-provoking conversation exploring the intersection of art, commerce, and culture.

Jun CHEN, Co-founder of Urban Nomad Art Museum, opened the conversation as moderator by posing a highly relevant question to Mr. Yiqing XUAN:
In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, the concept of “people–product–place” has drawn significant attention. But what are its core components—and how can the three be effectively aligned?

Mr. Yiqing XUAN used the development journey of CIMEN as a starting point to deeply elaborate on his insights. He emphasized that “people” is the core element in the “people–product–place” framework.

Ten years ago, with foresight, he positioned CIMEN as the "Hollywood" of China's building materials and home furnishings industry. CIMEN not only focused on retail but also prioritized brand building, channel expansion, and new product launches, targeting high-end consumers and industry professionals. In creating the “place”, he cleverly leveraged the premium value of artworks, hosting events like sculpture exhibitions and contemporary art shows to elevate the mall’s cultural tone and atmosphere, infusing the brand with greater value and meaning.

Mr. Xuan pointed out that the key to effectively aligning the three components lies in deeply understanding consumer psychology, integrating quality product resources, and creating unique, personalized shopping experiences.

Next, Jun CHEN turned to Mr. Yingming ZHAO and posed another widely-discussed question: In an era of information overload and fragmented attention, how should retail brands leverage algorithms—or anti-algorithms—to break through and connect with the new generation of young consumers?

Mr. Yingming ZHAO offered a unique perspective. He believes that entrepreneurs need to undergo a shift in mindset. Algorithms and anti-algorithms are essentially just "methods" to achieve a goal, while the true core of business lies in its "way" (the fundamental philosophy) and original purpose.

Using CIMEN as an example, he pointed out that its success doesn't rely on algorithms but rather on its core philosophy of “Let art infuse life, and let life be filled with art.” This philosophy has brought together a group of like-minded individuals. For business brands aiming for sustainable development, the focus should shift from short-term profits to long-term value. They must place greater importance on the spiritual needs of young consumers, flexibly use algorithmic tools, and keenly seize the opportunities provided by the times.

PART 3
Border Nomadism, Dramatic Interpretation

During the “Night of Hidden Treasures” at the CIMEN’s Border Nomadism exhibition, in the session focused on decoding the event's concept, Ms. Yi Yang, producer of the immersive art-themed theatrical experience “The Top Collector” (produced by Meta Galaxy), introduced the innovative approach of deconstructing the logic of art collection through drama.

Ms. Yi YANG pointed out that outside the art world, there are barriers to the public’s professional understanding of the art market. Even those who are interested often find it difficult to enter the field of art collecting. Therefore, she and her team integrated theatrical performance with interactive games, guiding the audience through immersive narrative scenes led by professional actors, transforming technical jargon into actionable interactive experiences.

Through a condensed simulation of the art market, the public could break down the cognitive barriers surrounding art collection by engaging in a collision of rational rules and emotional aesthetics. At the CIMEN event, they experienced the integrated value of “art as life” and discovered an entry point to slow down and engage in dialogue with their spiritual world.

Stepping into each brand’s exhibition hall felt like entering an independent yet interconnected world of art. In the vifa showroom, artist Lufeng YANG delivered a powerful visual impact, provoking deep reflection on the relationship between industrial civilization and nature. Meanwhile, Matt Watterson, founder of the Jingdezhen “Kiln Room International Ceramic Art Residency,” shared the fascinating story of cross-cultural artistic fusion through his delicate ceramic craftsmanship.

In the Pronorm showroom, artist Yun CAO used soft brushstrokes to outline the spiritual essence of Eastern scholars, perfectly aligning with Pronorm's brand philosophy of pursuing spatial harmony. Indian artist Shatrudhan K. Gupta, on the other hand, skillfully employed color and materials to visualize the subtle emotions between individuals and their living spaces.

In the Fuli showroom, artist Xin CHEN reinterprets traditional aesthetics through abstract landscapes, perfectly complementing the exquisite craftsmanship of jacquard weaving. Meanwhile, artist Buru TAN uses fabric installations to reflect on human-centered thinking from a unique perspective, addressing contemporary social issues.

In the Run Audio & Visual showroom, artist Yanxi WU uses circular oil paintings as a medium to perfectly blend Eastern philosophy with Western painting materials. Artist Dongying YANG, on the other hand, employs metal plate sculptures to encapsulate the majestic essence of traditional landscapes within a small space.

In this immersive art tour and theatrical interpretation, the audience will no longer be mere bystanders, but will transform into the main characters of an auction, deeply engaging with the story behind the artworks and experiencing the fascinating blend of reality and fantasy.

PART 4
The Impromptu Moments of Beauty and Creativity

As the event drew to a close, Mr. Yiqing XUAN, Chief Planner and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at CIMEN Group; Mr. Jun YOU, General Manager of CIMEN Shanghai; Mr. Zhaohong BAI, Chairman of Zunken International Trade Co., Ltd. (the exclusive distributor of Pronorm Cabinets in China); Mr. Jijun HAN, Vice General Manager of Fuli Jacquard; Mr. Chunyang LI, Channel Director of RARA Shanghai; Ms. Ting LI, General Manager of Vifa Shanghai; Mr. Jingbo LI, General Manager of Run Audio & Visual (Shanghai Quejia); Ms. Yi YANG, Dramatic Representative; Mr. Ottavio Zhang, Founder of the Urban Nomad Art Museum; Mr. Eric Bian, Head of ENNOVA Art Museum and NEO-WOO Art Brands; and Mr. Jun Chen, Co-Founder of the Urban Nomad Art Museum, all took the stage together to witness the grand opening of the CIMEN “Border Nomadism” exhibition.

As the golden scissors of the ribbon-cutting ceremony were lowered, the event concluded, and the scene transitioned into an interlude of free interaction, where moments of beauty and creativity spontaneously unfolded.

CIMEN, in collaboration with the Urban Nomad Art Museum and ENNOVA Art, expressed their commitment to continuously inviting more artists and brand partners, fostering further multi-dimensional field innovations in this cross-industry journey of art and commerce.

CIMEN “Border Nomadism” is not only a cross-disciplinary exhibition of art and commerce, but also a disruption of traditional exhibition formats—a redefinition of the possibilities within urban space. Through the fusion and co-creation of 13 domestic and international artists with brand spaces, the audience was able to directly experience forward-thinking artistic and cultural aesthetics, while brands discovered new narrative dimensions within the exhibition.

This nomadic art and life experiment, which breaks free from established rules,
shows us the dissolution of the boundaries between material aesthetics and functionality
under cross-disciplinary and innovative thinking,
as well as
the potential for traditional commercial spaces to be revolutionized through curated content.

When art, commerce, and inspiration freely ferment,
the answers to the nomadic inquiry become ever clearer—
——
Art is not out of reach,
but can become a new form of everyday life.