The main thematic exhibition of “The Long Journey” opens at Macao Museum of Art
Organized by the Macao Museum of Art (MAM), under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, and the Palace Museum, co-organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Macao Foundation and supported by Macao Daily News, the large-scale exhibition “The Long Journey: The Forbidden City and Maritime Silk Road” was inaugurated on 11 January, at 11am, at the Exhibition Gallery on the 4th floor of MAM. The opening ceremony was held in a lively atmosphere and was officiated by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Ao Ieong U; the Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR, Liu Wei; the Counselor and Director of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Zhu Xiji; the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mok Ian Ian; the Deputy Director of Publicity and Education Department of the Palace Museum, Guo Meixia; the Deputy Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office of the Macao SAR Government, Hoi Io Meng; the Member of the Administrative Committee of the Macao Foundation, Au Weng Chi; the Director of Macao Daily News, Lok Po; and the Curator of the Macao Science Center, Sio Hon Pan and was attended by the Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Ho Ioc San; the Advisors of the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, Lam Wan Nei and Lo Hou Chi; the members of the Cultural Consultative Committee and the Cultural Heritage Committee.
“The Long Journey” exhibition series, representing the seamless collaborations between MAM and Palace Museum over the past two decades, is the largest exhibition series in scale with the richest contents and the greatest number of exhibits ever. “The Long Journey: The Forbidden City and the Maritime Silk Road” features a total of nearly 150 exquisite cultural relics related to the Maritime Silk Road, including porcelains, timepieces, scientific instruments, enameled pieces, calligraphic works, paintings and textiles, leading the audience to reminisce on the boom in cultural exchange which occurred between the East and the West. Meanwhile, the “Cultural and Creative Products from the Palace Museum and Education Area” on the 3rd floor gallery showcases a variety of cultural and creative products, such as those associated with the Palace Museum exhibits, which include porcelains, timepieces and products under the Ten Fine Dogs,Catalogue of Marine Creatures and A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains series, as well as cosmetics which have gained high popularity in recent years. Based on the “Classroom: Know More about the Forbidden City” activity series, the education area of the exhibition includes five sections, namely “The Splendour of Ancient Architecture”, “The Brilliance of Qing Court Clothing”, “The Exploration of Sea and Sky”, “The Melodiousness of Timepieces” and “Four Seasons in the Forbidden City”, offering interactive experience for the audience to explore the culture behind its red walls and yellow tiles. Coupled with A Panorama of Rivers and Mountains 3.0 on the 2nd floor gallery and the “A Retrospective of Collaborations with the Palace Museum” on the 1st floor gallery, the exhibition series aims at showcasing the vast and profound culture of the Forbidden City from different perspectives.
The exhibition “The Long Journey: The Forbidden City and Maritime Silk Road” will be held until 13 April. Various activities will also be held in the exhibition period, including “Classroom: Know More about the Forbidden City” and “Lectures by Experts from the Palace Museum” hosted by the Palace Museum representatives, “Art x Science” programme co-organized with the Macao Science Centre, “Concerts in Museums” and “Music in Macao Museum of Art” co-hosted with the Macao Chinese Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra respectively, as well as “Two Big Rewards for The Long Journey” and “Lantern Festival Night – A Night in the Forbidden City”. All are welcome to participate. In addition, the exhibition provides audio-guide services via QR code and public guided tours, and visitors can “touch” the cultural relics displayed in the form of 3D data. For more information, please stay tuned to the MAM website at www.MAM.gov.mo.
