David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) has arrived in Shanghai, following stops in London, Seoul, and Manchester. This isn't your typical projection-heavy "immersive" show; it's a one-hour, multi-sensory journey through six decades of Hockney's work, co-created by the artist himself over three years. The exhibition is split into six chapters, covering everything from Renaissance perspective to California freeways, stage designs for The Magic Flute, Polaroid collages, and iPad paintings of springtime in Yorkshire. It's all set to an original score by Nico Muhly and narrated by Hockney, with a Chinese-language version voiced by actor Liu Cong.

Hockney has always embraced new tools; he started using iPads to paint back in 2010, which feels surprisingly ahead of the curve for someone born in 1937. This show reflects that restless creativity. It's not just a retrospective; it's a reminder that reinvention doesn't have an age limit, as long as you're curious enough to keep exploring.

Some practical notes: the exhibition runs on a timed entry system, and ticketing is separate from reservations, so be sure to reserve in advance.It gets pretty busy, even on weekday afternoons, especially now that it's the summer holiday season. The show is very kid-friendly (lots of colors and movement), which also means, yes, there are lots of kids. If you're after a quieter viewing experience, maybe wait until school's back in session.

For more details on tickets and reservations, search the official WeChat account "大卫霍克尼沉浸式艺术展".