Caption: press conference and signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement of “Art Macao”
The press conference and signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement of “Art Macao” was held on 28 May at the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Lisboa Hotel. Under the patronage of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, the first edition of “Art Macao” is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Macao Government Tourism Office and co-organized by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Higher Education Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, MGM, Sands China Ltd., Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. (SJM), Wynn Macau, Limited, Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited and foreign consulates, presenting a series of artistic events, including a number of international art exhibitions, performances, international youth festivals and visual arts exhibitions of Macao higher education institutions to be held from June to October. A total of 40 large-scale events will be held at 44 locations, through a multi-media and art platform, breaking the limitation of space concepts to form an arts festival of unprecedented scale and present a new brand of cultural tourism of Macao to the world.
“Art Macao” will enhance the charm of the city by using artistic and cultural forces from around the world. Externally, it promotes the cultural image, creates a brand of cultural tourism, enriches the tourism products and strengthens the humanistic foundation for sustainable development. Internally, it enriches the cultural lives of local residents, improves the overall humanistic qualities, promotes the surrounding industries and the development of the cultural industries, building Macao into a multi-sustainable cultural city with favourable conditions for living, business, tourism and entertainment. “Art Macao” invited several hotels and integrated resorts to collaborate in the organization of the “Art Macao: International Art Exhibition”, the mega event’s highlight, mobilizing the human and spatial resources of the various participating entities and invoking the power of arts from around the globe to encourage local artistic creation, enhance the humanistic spirit of Macao. “Art Macao” will be officially launched on 6 June. In support of this large-scale international comprehensive cultural and art event, the signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement of “Art Macao” was held at the press conference.
In the presence of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, and the management representatives of six hotels and integrated resorts (In random order), including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, Lawrence Ho; the Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A. (SJM), Angela Leong On Kei; the Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Linda Chih-Ling Chen; the Vice Chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group, Francis Lui; the Chief Executive Offer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, Grant R. Bowie; and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sands China Ltd., Dave Sun, the representatives of the Macao SAR, the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Mok Ian Ian, and the Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, and the representatives of six hotels and integrated resorts, signed the “Art Macao” Cooperation Agreement.
The signing of the cooperation agreement demonstrates the determination of the various parties to cooperate in organizing international cultural and art events. It is a milestone in the cultural development of Macao of great significance. “Art Macao” reflects the good desire that all social sectors, from the government, enterprises, artists to residents, are keen to participate in the cultural and artistic development. This dedication of the whole society is the major force for the sustainable development of cultural undertakings and cultural industries.
Create a new brand of cultural tourism in collaboration with government and enterprises; large-scale outdoor art installations displayed at various attractions of the city
In addition to the exquisite main exhibition at the Macao Museum of Art, the mega event’s highlight, “Art Macao: International Art Exhibition” also features several other exhibitions organized by hotels and integrated resorts and by consulates of various countries, such as Portugal, Japan, Italy, Belgium and Hungary, accredited in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as “2nd Annual Arts Exhibition between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries”, bringing together ancient and contemporary works of art by Chinese and foreign artists, and an array of heritage masterpieces that will certainly offer a pleasing and inspiring visual feast for the public.
A number of outdoor art installations will also be displayed in Macao from June onwards, integrating with the streetscapes of Macao and causing surprise to residents and tourists, turning local landmarks into social media hotspots. “Sanctuary” a bamboo structure designed by local architects, designers and artists João Ó and Rita Machado, is currently under construction at the Mount Fortress Garden. This seven-meter-high installation provides visitors an art space for meditation. Inspired by the Portuguese poet and writer Fernando Pessoa, 22 pieces of “The Wanderer” which are made of coloured fibreglass, designed by local artist Wong Ka Long, will be exhibited at the Taipa Houses. The exhibition hopes to allow more people to know about its spiritual world. “Happy Heads” is a large-scale contemporary art work by French and Chinese contemporary art group Benoit+Bo. The artists transform the big head toy in Chinese folk tradition into a vivid “Happy Head”, welcoming visitors at the leisure area in Praça de Jorge Álvares. Around the Macao Museum of Art, Hong Kong artist Mok Yat San will present the stainless steel sculpture “Contemplation of Lovingkindness”, which combines Chinese ink painting with modern landscape elements in surreal proportions and in three dimensions.
Various performing arts and activities will be launched successively; bringing arts close by the community to enhance the cultural landscape of the city
A number of events will be presented in phases, including the the Macao Orchestra and the Macao Chinese Orchestra concert seasons’ highlights, the International Youth Dance Festival, the International Youth Music Festival, the International Youth Drama Festival, “Growing with the SAR” Activity Series for the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region – Visual Arts Exhibitions of Macao Higher Education Institutions, the contemporary dance production “Under Siege” by Yang Liping, Haojiang Moonlight Night Dance Drama “Thangka”, “Love Road” at the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf and “2019! Outloud Street Art Festival”. From June to October, local higher education institutions will hold cultural and artistic shows, collective exhibitions by teachers and students, photography exhibitions, art exhibitions, graduation exhibitions by students and video exhibitions, among others. Thematic talks and guided art tours will also be organized, bringing arts close by the community and encouraging the participation of people from all walks of life, offering a long and unforgettable artistic summer for all residents and tourists, while cultivating the humanistic spirit through art and enhancing the cultural landscape of the city.
The press conference and signing ceremony of the cooperation agreement of “Art Macao” was also attended by Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ip Peng Kin, the President of the Higher Education Bureau, Sou Chio Fai; the Acting President of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Leong Vai Kei; the Assistant General Manager of Nam Kwong (Group) Company Limited, Song Xiaodong; the representative of “2019! Outloud Street Art Festival” and the Chairman of the Macau Shenzhen Economic and Cultural Promotion Association, Yany Kwan; and the authors of the outdoor art installations of the “Art Macao: International Art Exhibition”, João Ó, Rita Machado and Wong Ka Long, among others.
Admission to most activities of the first edition of “Art Macao” is free. For tickets and details, please visit the respective webpage at www.artmacao.mo, its official Instagram account “artmacao”, “IC Art” page on Facebook and WeChat account “ICmacao”.
