Dedicated to the annual “International Museum Day”, Macao Museum will hold a series of celebration activities. In order to make it more convenient for the public to visit museums, beside the routine free entry day on the 15th of each month, Macao Museum and Tak Seng On Pawnshop will especially open free to public on May 18th (Tuesday), the exact day of “International Museum Day”. On that day, activity “Explore the Museum” will be held in addition to the free guided tour services in Macao Museum. There will be games themed on museums and live demonstrations of kneading “Mr. Dough” which provide a great opportunity in promoting the Traditional Handicrafts of China’s Non-material Cultural Heritage. Therefore, the Museum can achieve the goal of this year’s International Museum Day “Museums for Social Harmony”. Residents and tourists are welcome to participate in the games and enjoy the demonstrations of the precious traditional Chinese handicrafts from 11am to 1pm, and from 3pm to 5pm.
Macao Museum will also take part in the “Museum Fair of Macao, Hong Kong and Guangdong Province 2010” launched by museums in Macao and held in Tap Seac Plaza on Sunday, May 9th, 2010. The Fair will include exhibitions, performances and games, aiming to strengthen the tie between museums and the public. At the same time, it is also meant to raise public awareness of museums' functions in the promotions of local culture, history and education. Participating museums include those from Guangdong Province and Hong Kong which diversify and colorize the Fair with their distinguishing features. “Traditional ‘Mr. Dough’ Kneading Workshop (Parent-child)” will be held in the Fair by Macao Museum from 2pm to 6:30pm. The Workshop will be held nine times, and each takes half an hour with a maximum of 15 people. Anyone who joins the workshop can take their finished or semi-finished works home as souvenirs. Advance sign-up is recommended. For those who are interested, please contact Mr. Ho at 8394 1217 or Ms. Wu at 8394 1210 during office hours. First register, first serve. Quotas are limited, please register as soon as possible. Macao Museum of the Macao S.A.R. Government Cultural Affairs Bureau will hold a large-scale special exhibition “Traveler’s Home: Master Works by George Chinnery” on the 3rd floor of the Museum from May 29th to August 29th, 2010. George Chinnery is regarded as the most acclaimed Western artist among those who arrived in China during the early century. He is also the one who most influenced India and Southern China in the 19th century. In honor of this British artist who arrived in China 185 years ago, in this especial exhibition, Macao Museum will especially showcase Chinnery’s works from different time periods (from 1790s to 1840s), including oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and sketches. In addition to his pieces, 142 works by some important artists of the day who have been strongly influenced by Chinnery will be exhibited too. Viewers not only can appreciate the works of art but also gain a better understanding of Macao local history. This special exhibition is considered as one of the key projects in this year’s Macao Arts Festival. During the exhibition, thematic seminar series on George Chinnery will also be arranged in Macao Museum Auditorium, including "George Chinnery and Macao" held by Dr. Chan Kai Chon (in Cantonese, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, May 29th 2010), “The World of Far East through the Eyes of George Chinnery” held by Patrick Conner, a senior researcher (in English with Cantonese interpretation services available, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, June 5th, 2010), and “Macao, Guangzhou and Hong Kong in Chinnery’s Time” held by Dr. Joseph S.P. Ting, the Former Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History (Cantonese, 3pm-5pm on Saturday, June 19th, 2010). Those who are interested may contact Ms. Wu at 8394 1210 or Mr. Ho at 8394 1217 during office hours. First register, first serve. Quotas are limited, please register as soon as possible. For more information about activities of “International Museum Day” held by Macao Museum, please contact the Museum at 2835 7911 during office hours, or visit the website of Macao Museum at www.macaumuseum.gov.mo.
