The Shanghai Museum, in collaboration with Star Plus Legend Holdings Ltd. recently unveiled “The Remarkable Ancestors — CHOUCHOU’s Time Travel Adventure,” a groundbreaking art show that introduces “CHOUCHOU,” the official nijigen-style personality of Mandopop superstar Jay Chou, into a national-level museum for the first time. Through digital technology, the exhibition offers a fresh interpretation of China’s cultural heritage.
Running through March 8, 2026, the immersive art show utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as holographic projections and robotic performances to create a space where ancient civilization meets contemporary trends. Guided by this digital persona, visitors embark on a cultural journey across time and space.
This partnership represents a new exploration in cross-sector integration between cultural institutions and popular culture. “We hope this innovative attempt will build a bridge for dialogue between national treasures and modern creativity,” said Chu Xiaobo, Director of the Shanghai Museum. The art show features twelve selected artifacts from the museum’s collection, presenting these millennia-old cultural relics in entirely new forms through the fusion of technology and art.
Jay Chou’s musical works provide a natural foundation for this crossover. Over the years, he has consistently integrated traditional Chinese elements into modern pop music. Classic songs like “Blue and White Porcelain” have long inspired global music fans with an appreciation for traditional Chinese culture. As Ma Hsin-Ting, Chairperson of Star Plus Legend, noted, “CHOUCHOU is not just a trendy IP—it is poised to become a communicator of culture.”
At the art show, a robotic martial artist adorned with blue-and-white porcelain patterns demonstrates the charm of traditional Kung Fu on a dynamic stage, while a monumental projection of CHOUCHOU, wearing a futuristic crown, highlights the beauty of Chinese jade. These creative installations not only display the artifacts themselves but also convey the craftsmanship and cultural significance behind them through contemporary visual language.
Vincent Fang, the renowned lyricist and cultural creative consultant for the show, sees the collaboration as a continuation of their long-standing artistic pursuit: “We have always tried to put the charm of traditional culture into the vessel of pop culture.”
This innovative practice demonstrates a viable approach to reshaping the interpretation and promotion of traditional culture by revitalizing influential celebrity IP. It leverages digital technology and pop culture elements to create more engaging cultural experiences for audiences.