China Rhyming is Nervous – The Cathay Cinema Goes Under Wraps
Posted: May 30th, 2013 | 1 Comment »Just how worried should we be – The beautiful Cathay Cinema on Huai Hai Road (Avenue Joffre) has gone under wraps for a “makeover”. Personally, I’m very, very worried.
The Cathay was a masterpiece of art-deco in Shanghai designed by the Shanghai-based Starchitect CH Gonda and opened for business in 1932. The theatre has already been sub-divided into smaller screens and the place has been progressively less well looked after in recent years. We shall what is left when the “renovation” is complete.
These pictures from Shanghai Art Deco
(and, I hasten to add, anyone wishing to use any hastily snapped pictures from this site taken by me to highlight and draw attention to the continuing destruction of Shanghai’s architectural heritage or issues of preservation can feel free to use them wherever attention can be gained)
Hi Paul,
I don’t think you should be worried. Nowadays restoration works in Shanghai seem very much to look at valorizing rather than destroying. Have a look at my last report on the College Municipal Français where I could also sneek in twice. The restoration is very close to original pattern though the purpose of the building is different. I could check with Lily Willens who used to study there and made many picture when returning. The “new” CMF is from my point of view just stunning. The overall trend in Shanghai these days is preserving with new purpose since Shanghainese look more “culture-cautious” than in the past and have understood the value of heritage for the prestige of their city.
http://shanghaitours.canalblog.com/archives/2013/05/24/27231988.html
Yet not convinced?