Prisca Tang
Resort operator MGM is curating a Special Exhibition called “Awakening” and is hosting a “Greater Bay Area Art Symposium – Contemporary Dialogues of Chinese Culture Awakening” to support the return of the government’s “Art Macao” event after last year’s hiatus due to COVID-19, according to a recent statement by MGM.
The statement pointed out that “Awakening” is one of the core activities of “Art Macao”. Curated by Calvin Hui, the exhibition draws from the cultural symbol of the lion and interprets it through contemporary art, in response to the longstanding historical and cultural roots and to demonstrate cultural confidence in the post-pandemic era.
Leo the Lion is the legendary mascot for the Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – which became MGM.
Chinese contemporary artists Xue Song and Liu Guofu have created brand-new artworks inspired by the imagery of the lion. The exhibits aim to explore the old and new artistic traditions with the audience and broaden their minds and sights of the future.
In order to spread a positive vibe to the guests while echoing the “Art Macao” theme of “To Create for Well-being”, famous sculptor Hung Yi presents the public art project “MGM Lion Party”, in the lush Nature’s Art at the Spectacle, expressing a sense of joy and sustainability. Among his iconic animal sculptures for the project, there are the Mr. and Mrs. Lion, the first MGM Lion Family sculpture in his career, which staged a joyous party with 12 other animal sculptures to bring happiness to all ages through art, the statement points out.
Meanwhile, the “Greater Bay Area Art Symposium – Contemporary Dialogues of Chinese Culture Awakening” is being held at the MGM Theatre, which can hold an audience of 300.
Hui said in the statement that “MGM’s ‘Chairman’s Collection’ includes paintings and art installations from various important Chinese contemporary artists. Inspired by Eastern aesthetics while immersed in diverse cultural threads and ideas amid the era of globalisation, these artists create a contemporary expression cohering distinctive aesthetics of Chinese art, blazing their own path apart from the monotonous mainstream discourse. Their artworks enrich and diversify the ecology of traditional Chinese culture, hence helping to realise the creative transformation of the fine Chinese culture in the Greater Bay Area and contributing to the development of a Cultured Bay Area.”
From today to October 31, the MGM Special Exhibition “Awakening” will be open to the public 24/7 in the Lion Lobby, Spectacle and Emerald Lobby of MGM COTAI. Guided tours are available from 11a.m. to 7p.m. with no advance appointment necessary.
Photos: Prisca Tang
