Art Deco and the 're-imagining' of Shanghai

It's difficult to describe or define exactly what is Art Deco. A vague timetable (the 1920s-30s), a "modern" and geometrical aesthetic and the fact the style has its roots in the Western world is all one really has to work with.

But if you've ever passed by The Paramount ballroom, the Fairmont Peace Hotel or Hamilton House in Shanghai, you have seen some of the world's finest examples of Art Deco architecture. The visual conveys the concept in a way words cannot.

But there are other, lesser-known Art Deco masterpieces sprinkled over Shanghai's landscape, which you may pass by every day without realizing what you're looking at.

Spencer Dodington is an American entrepreneur and architect who has lived in Shanghai for nearly two decades. His wide-ranging knowledge of both the architectural aspects of the buildings and their stories culminate in a walking tour that is as entertaining as it is informative, helped by the fact Dodington has actually lived in some of the buildings.

While leading a group along Nanjing Road W., Dodington points out many different kinds of structures that illustrate the range and variety of Art Deco architecture; one moment he's lecturing on the design and story behind the imposing Renji Hospital, and the next he's ducking into an alley which houses a hidden treasure (like Pei Mansion just off Nanyang Road) or showcases Art Deco's more "economical" side, typically apartments for middle-class or poorer families. Some examples are the apartments on Fengxian Road, the Carter Apartments and Denis Apartments, etc.

One notable difference between these inconspicuous structures and their more esteemed cousins is that, in some cases, the architects are simply unknown.

Shanghai, Dodington explains, was experiencing a massive financial and architectural boom during the Republic of China period (1911-49). Buildings (especially apartments and houses) were springing up like weeds which, combined with privacy laws for the owners of the buildings, makes it difficult to know who built what and when. Their histories, he sighs, will forever remain a mystery.

Dodington is not alone in his passion for Shanghai's legacy, Art Deco and otherwise. The group Historic Shanghai — founded by Tess Johnston, Patrick Cranley and Tina Kanagaratnam — states its goal of "raising awareness of Shanghai's built heritage and social and cultural history."

They hold monthly walking tours in addition to presentations, talks and film screenings. It is through their petitioning that the World Congress on Art Deco will meet in Shanghai for the first time in November 2015.

Their most recent event, Art Deco Weekend 2 early this month (part of a series of three), served as a primer for the anticipated event and attracted an audience of mostly expats.

Presentations and walking tours (including the one with Dodington) were given over two days, with a focus on Laszlo Hudec's works around the Nanjing Road W. and People's Square areas. The two presenters, however, were able to expand the Art Deco concept beyond the realm of architecture.