The newest museum to step on to Shanghai’s art scene is a large space that’s packed with intriguing installations.

The Minsheng Museum anchors the creative complex known as Red Town, a trendy cluster of small galleries, cafés and the Shanghai Sculpture Space. Its soft opening, a group show called Warm Up, sets a high bar for the project, with a 36-artist group exhibition that borrows art from places such as Beijing’s Boers-Li Gallery.

Upon entering the industrial-style space, a dramatic scene unfolds on three of the towering, white-washed walls. Hundreds of colorless porcelain objects dangle precariously along the top half of the wall, with heaps lying, unbroken, at the bottom. They’re in the shape of caps, slippers, blow-dryers, a teddy bear and an upside down boot, its spiky heel pointed to the heavens.

That imaginative use of space sets the tone for the museum’s numerous rooms and hallways, most with exposed piping and lofty ceilings. One room is dedicated to a video installation by Teppei Kaneuji called “Tower.” A curious, cartoon-like depiction of a brick building is projected on the wall. Green smoke billows from its top in spurts. The building is dripping with liquid, fumes, even balls that pitter-patter loudly when they hit the ground. The entire room is filled with the sounds of squeaking, pattering, thumping and clashing.

Another stunning spectacle awaits in the exhibition’s largest room, which is dedicated to life-sized pieces. Xu Zhen’s “Comfortable” is a full-sized, dirt-caked minibus, its back tires flat and boxes piled high on its roof. Nearby, is a wooden greenhouse called “Farm” by Shi Qing. Thriving plants cover its open windows and disturbing stuffed roosters are stacked in cages. Wang Guangyi’s “Tricycle” is painted on one side with the logos of Coca-Cola and Swatch, while the other is ablaze with a Mao-era propaganda.

The museum’s impressive collection and its location in this burgeoning creative complex make it a must to visit.

Kellie Schmitt