A new photo exhibit has opened at the Institute of East Asian Studies with images of Shanghai’s nongtang (弄堂), the narrow east-meets-west residential streets that once defined the city’s social landscape. From the announcement:

These alleyways, unchanged from the 1950s to 1980s, embody the special living style of old Shanghai. These back passage ways gave birth to a special Shanghai neighborhood culture that is rich and varied. While the architectural style is one of traditional Jiang Nan (south of the Yangtze River) design, it is coupled with the decor of western architecture.

… Mr. Jianhua Gong, a well known Chinese photographer, offers us his view on the alleyways of Shanghai…His portfolio includes over 1,000 published photographic works as well as personal exhibitions in Japan, China and the United States.

The show runs runs Monday through Friday, from now through May 18, 2007 in the IEAS Gallery (6th floor of 2223 Fulton St.).

See the full details here.