JD.com Unveils Ambitious New Museum Plan in Shenzhen, Pitting Art Against Technology
In a move that promises to revolutionize the art world, JD.com, China's e-commerce giant, has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art museum in Shenzhen, a city synonymous with innovation and technological advancement. The new JD Museum is set to open its doors in late 2027 and will be housed within the company's futuristic headquarters at the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base.
Designed by Büro Ole Scheeren and Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, the building itself has been dubbed "Scenic City," boasting a striking blend of futuristic aesthetics with a nod to the city's natural surroundings. The museum's program will explore the intersection of art and technology, an area that JD.com believes holds the key to shaping our future.
"At its core, we're interested in technology as a means of bridging the gaps between human experience and digital culture," said Robin Peckham, executive director of JD Museum, who has previously worked with prominent cultural institutions. "Our goal is to create a living laboratory for exploring the most pressing issues of today – from technology to ecology and urbanism."
The museum's first public initiative, "Unboxing JD Museum," will launch in 2026 and will take the form of pop-up workshops and exhibitions that utilize JD.com's iconic delivery boxes as both materials and frameworks. The event aims to engage the broader community, including artists, curators, architects, and employees, in a creative exploration of art and technology.
Peckham emphasized that art and technology are not mutually exclusive entities but rather complementary forces that can inform and enrich each other. "Technology has become one of the shaping forces throughout society today," he said. "This is something that art can engage with on many levels – as a tool, of course, but also as a horizon."
The JD Museum's ambitious vision is to establish itself as a platform for conversation, speculation, and experience on the intersection of contemporary art, digital culture, and new media. As one of the first major examples of a technology firm investing in a cultural institution with a tech-forward mission, the museum promises to redefine the boundaries between art and technology.
With its bold plans and innovative approach, JD Museum is set to become a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and technology buffs alike, offering a unique window into the future of creative expression.
In a move that promises to revolutionize the art world, JD.com, China's e-commerce giant, has announced plans to build a state-of-the-art museum in Shenzhen, a city synonymous with innovation and technological advancement. The new JD Museum is set to open its doors in late 2027 and will be housed within the company's futuristic headquarters at the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base.
Designed by Büro Ole Scheeren and Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, the building itself has been dubbed "Scenic City," boasting a striking blend of futuristic aesthetics with a nod to the city's natural surroundings. The museum's program will explore the intersection of art and technology, an area that JD.com believes holds the key to shaping our future.
"At its core, we're interested in technology as a means of bridging the gaps between human experience and digital culture," said Robin Peckham, executive director of JD Museum, who has previously worked with prominent cultural institutions. "Our goal is to create a living laboratory for exploring the most pressing issues of today – from technology to ecology and urbanism."
The museum's first public initiative, "Unboxing JD Museum," will launch in 2026 and will take the form of pop-up workshops and exhibitions that utilize JD.com's iconic delivery boxes as both materials and frameworks. The event aims to engage the broader community, including artists, curators, architects, and employees, in a creative exploration of art and technology.
Peckham emphasized that art and technology are not mutually exclusive entities but rather complementary forces that can inform and enrich each other. "Technology has become one of the shaping forces throughout society today," he said. "This is something that art can engage with on many levels – as a tool, of course, but also as a horizon."
The JD Museum's ambitious vision is to establish itself as a platform for conversation, speculation, and experience on the intersection of contemporary art, digital culture, and new media. As one of the first major examples of a technology firm investing in a cultural institution with a tech-forward mission, the museum promises to redefine the boundaries between art and technology.
With its bold plans and innovative approach, JD Museum is set to become a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and technology buffs alike, offering a unique window into the future of creative expression.
. They're trying to merge art with tech, which sounds like a pretty cool combo. But I'm not sure if it'll be more art or more tech-focused. I mean, who gets to decide what's "art" and what's just technology? 
It seems like they want to make the museum a place where people can come together and think about these big issues, but I'm worried it might just end up being some corporate PR stunt 
. Still, if it brings more people to appreciate art and tech, then that's a pretty cool goal 
.
Can you believe it? China's e-commerce giant wants to create an art museum that's all about tech & art... meanwhile, their delivery boxes will be used as exhibits! Talk about "unboxing" culture 
. I mean, who needs a traditional museum when you can just use packages from Amazon? 
. JD.com's got a winner with this one! 
. And I'm all for it! The idea of an "unboxing" event where you can use their delivery boxes as art materials is genius 
. It's like they're inviting everyone to be a part of this creative process. Can't wait to see what they come up with in 2026 and beyond!
- JD.com building a museum in shenzhen? that's like a tech-savvy art gallery right in the heart of innovation city! i mean, they're already doing some cool stuff with their pop-up workshops and using delivery boxes as exhibitions... but a whole museum? that's next level 
And Robin Peckham is totally on point with his idea that art and tech are not mutually exclusive. It's like, we need more of these conversations happening in the world.
. what's next? a pop-up exhibition on the "intersection of food and social media"? 
️.
. but for now, i'm keeping a healthy dose of skepticism 
That's what I love about this museum plan - it's all about exploring the possibilities and not just focusing on the tech side of things. Can't wait to see it come to life in 2027!