Shanghai Art Show Features Shower Faucets Pouring Espresso

Visitors to the Bund Art Museum in Shanghai recently faced an unusual risk: being drenched not by water, but by espresso, red wine, or even black ink. At the Pola Pietra solo exhibition "Share, But Not Fair," nine oversized shower-like faucets spray various non-water liquids with surprising force—creating an immersive, startling, and controversial sensory experience.

The short answer: Yes, the museum’s shower faucets really do shoot out espresso and other drinks. Each of the nine faucets is loaded with nearly a ton of its designated liquid—costing thousands for high-end items like espresso and wine—and sprays it repeatedly during the show.

What Are These ‘Shower Faucets’ Actually Doing?

The artwork in question is called Cocktail Party, and it dominates an entire floor of the museum’s fourth level. From a distance, it looks like a simple set of nine large industrial showerheads. But when activated, these fixtures don’t release water—they eject powerful jets of coffee, orange juice, almond milk, mint juice, red wine, black ink, and even cosmetic lotion. The effect is chaotic, vivid, and intentionally overwhelming.

Reporters on-site were advised to wear disposable raincoats, which quickly became streaked with multi-colored sprays. The cacophony of noise and the mingling scents of coffee, alcohol, and fruit created an intense multi-sensory environment. One visitor described it as “the most stimulating contemporary exhibit I’ve seen—almost too much to bear.”

How Much Liquid—and Money—Is Really Going Into This?

According to the report, Pola Pietra supplied nearly one metric ton of liquid per faucet for the duration of the exhibition. This setup isn’t just for show: the liquids are cycled and sprayed continuously. The most expensive fluids used are espresso and red wine. While a single shot of espresso or glass of wine might cost 30–100 RMB in a café, here they’re being deployed by the ton. The operational cost is understandably high, raising questions about sustainability and excess.

Some attendees criticized the waste, with one visitor commenting, “We’re told to be environmentally conscious, yet here we are watching coffee and juice being sprayed around like it’s nothing. Is this really what contemporary art has come to?”

Why Would an Italian Artist Create Something Like This?

Pola Pietra is an internationally acclaimed Italian artist who won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Biennale. Her work often explores themes of value, perception, and the absurd. Alongside Cocktail Party, her exhibition at the Bund Art Museum also includes other large-scale installations like Spinning Is Art (made with 24 synthetic bear skins) and Thank You Ocean (comprising over 10,000 pearls weighing 600 kilograms). These works share a sense of luxury and theatricality that provokes debate over whether they qualify as art or mere spectacle.

Larys Frogier, director of the Bund Art Museum, defends Pietra’s approach. He explains that the artist uses everyday materials—like coffee and pearls—in unconventional ways, such as painting on pearls or using showerheads to spray beverages. “She creates rare situations and a sense of mystery,” Frogier says. “Her work is about generating impossible scenarios to spark critical thinking about daily life. In her world, everything is possible.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the artwork called that features shower faucets spraying liquids?

The installation is titled Cocktail Party, and it consists of nine large shower-like faucets that spray espresso, red wine, orange juice, almond milk, mint juice, black ink, and cosmetic lotion instead of water. It’s part of Pola Pietra’s solo exhibition Share, But Not Fair at the Shanghai Bund Art Museum.

How much liquid does each faucet use during the exhibit?

Each of the nine faucets is supplied with nearly one metric ton (1,000 kilograms) of its respective liquid for continuous spraying throughout the exhibition period.

Which liquids are actually sprayed from the faucets?

The faucets spray a range of liquids including espresso, red wine, orange juice, almond milk, mint juice, black ink, and cosmetic lotion. Not all the outputs are beverages—some are household liquids meant to surprise and challenge viewers.

Is this art exhibit considered controversial?

Yes, the exhibit is controversial. Some viewers and critics argue that spraying expensive liquids like espresso and wine is wasteful and environmentally irresponsible, while others see it as a legitimate form of contemporary art designed to provoke thought and discussion.

Who is the artist behind the shower faucet art installation?

The artist is Pola Pietra, an internationally recognized Italian artist who won the Venice Biennale Golden Lion in 1999. She is known for creating provocative, luxurious, and conceptually rich installations that question common perceptions of value and material.

What does the museum director say about the artistic value of this work?

Larys Frogier, the director of the Bund Art Museum, believes Pietra’s work challenges conventional expressions of daily life. He argues that she uses common materials in unique ways to create unexpected situations, aiming to inspire critical thinking and new experiences, rather than simply creating spectacle.

Recommended FrontStreet Blends for Espresso Lovers

If you’re drawn to espresso-based artistry—whether in a gallery or your cup—try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend, crafted specifically for espresso and milk drinks. It delivers a smooth, rich crema even with basic equipment, making it ideal for home baristas. For deeper flavor without breaking the bank, the Black Cocoa Blend offers full-bodied intensity with a lower price point, perfect for cafés or frequent use. Both blends highlight the craft behind espresso, much like the artful (and controversial) shower faucets in Shanghai. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.