Art and Life

LANZHOU, June 22 ( tasteallchina ) -- Imagine yourself in a well-lit cave, sinking deeply into a sofa and leafing through a magazine. Beside you, is freshly-brewed coffee and a pastry shaped like a millennia-old painted pottery jar. The art and life gallery affiliated with the Gansu Provincial Museum in northwest China can give you that kind of experience. Integrating artifacts, art, cuisine and books, this gallery has been a magnet for young people since officially opened earlier this week. Across China, museums are opening themed cafés and galleries that represent a perfect fusion of historical profundity, sheer ingenuity and relaxed vibes, embodying a lifestyle pursued by the contemporary young generation. "The themed cafés and galleries meet the demand of the young people for a new type of comprehensive cultural space and diverse lifestyles," said Cui Youxin, head of the cultural creative center at the Gansu Provincial Museum and a member of the "post-90s" generation. In recent years, museum-themed cafés and stores have mushroomed across China, gaining popularity among the younger generation. The Shanghai History Museum, for instance, opened a historically-decorated coffee shop. Shenyang Palace Museum opened a café featuring the culture of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The burgeoning cultural…