Swatch «Faces & Traces» art exhibition, street art festival on the Bund, and artistic happening at The Swatch Art Peace Hotel

Biel/Shanghai, October 2014  –  Since it opened three years ago, 139 artists from more than 30 countries have come to Shanghai to live and make art in The Swatch Art Peace Hotel. A unique center for contemporary art in China’s most vibrant and fascinating city, it’s right on the Bund at the corner of the Nanjing Road. Third Anniversary celebrations kick off October 31, 2014 with a press conference and ribbon cutting at noon, followed by a preview tour for the press of Faces & Traces, the first-ever exhibition of «traces» – art made by the 139 current and former artists-in-residence. Festivities continue in the afternoon with a Street Art Festival on the Bund, where artists will make art «live», painting in public on 30 blank canvases as the crowds stroll along the riverfront walkway. The big day concludes the same evening with invited guests enjoying an artistic happening and live art performances throughout the hotel.

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek commented, «Our iconic Hotel is now filled with life, with the spirit of fun and positive provocation. There is creativity in everything and everywhere you look. It’s open to everybody. That’s the message of Swatch, the substance of the place, and this philosophy vibrates through every part of the hotel.»

The Faces & Traces exhibition is open to the public from November 1, 2014 through the end of the year. Entrance is free of charge, all visitors are welcome.

BLACK & WHITE – Special Swatch watch

For 30 years Swatch has worked closely with artists to design Swatch Art Specials, and to mark this exciting occasion Swatch has created Black & White The Swatch Art Peace Hotel. The special New Gent features the skyline profile of The Swatch Art Peace Hotel on the dial, the Shanghai skyline on the strap, and golden hands. This Swatch Special will be sold exclusively at the Swatch Boutique in The Swatch Art Peace Hotel from November 1, 2014 until January 7, 2015 and will be available worldwide starting January 8, 2015.