The Wang Contemporary opens in New York’s Chinatown

On February 20, 2026, The Wang Contemporary will open at 58 Bowery in New York’s Chinatown, marking the first Chinese-American ownership of the century-old domed structure. Founded by Ying Wang and Alexander Wang, the mission-driven cultural organization is designed to serve as a dynamic platform for Asian and Asian-American creativity across art, design, music, and performance. It will function as both a showcase for established and emerging artists and a gathering space for the local community and international audiences, with a commitment to arts affordability and collaborative projects that bridge global voices with the neighborhood’s historic fabric. “Growing up Asian American, I rarely saw spaces that reflected our stories, our voices, or our creative power,” said Alexander Wang. “The Wang Contemporary is about reclaiming space — physically and culturally — and opening the doors to a new generation of artists and creatives who deserve visibility, support, and community.” Ying Wang emphasized that locating the space in a century-old Chinatown building symbolizes cultural continuity and resilience, affirming the need for a lasting, tangible vessel for Asian narratives. To coincide with the Chinese New Year opening, the art collective MSCHF will present the performative exhibition “20,000 Variations On A Paper Plane.” From February 20 to 22, each hour between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., a flock of red and gold paper planes will descend from the building’s central oculus, accompanied by an evolving piano score composed and performed live by Yeonjoon Yoon. Each plane bears a single word selected at random from 5,000 common English nouns, acting as a form of probabilistic fortune telling. Visitors are invited to pick up and unfold a plane to discover its inscription, creating an interactive, poetic experience that animates the historic space. Public attendance is free, and to RSVP visit the official website: https://20000planes.com

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The Wang Contemporary opens in New York’s Chinatown