Ornaments decorate Shanghai Xintiandi Style Mall. Photo provided to China Daily

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"Kissing is seldom taken as the theme of artworks because in oriental culture, people restrain themselves from expressing their emotions," says Jiang Shan, curator of the exhibition.

"Through the exhibition, we hope to encourage people to be confident and brave in expressing their love."

Inside the mall, which spans a large area from Zizhong Lu (Road) to Fuxingnan Lu (Road), dozens of colorful ornaments, including balloons, lollipops and lip-shaped decorations are hung on the walls and from the ceiling.

Among the decorations, a bright-colored woven-wool artwork attracts most eyeballs and evokes a feeling of warmth.

The designer, Gu Yeli, says the art piece, Kiss Forest, was inspired by US artist Andy Warhol's 1963 experimental film Kiss, which featured various couples kissing for three and a half minutes each. Gu also organizes a small workshop to teach knitting to children.

Artist Wang Xuejun sets up a stainless-steel mirror at the mall's gate leading to Zizhong Lu (Road).

Visitors, including men, are invited to put on lipstick and kiss the mirror, thus kissing themselves.