Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Mok Ian Ian said in a speech yesterday at the opening ceremony for “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021” that the art-fest will continue to be held every other year and the government will continue to promote the “humanistic construction” of Macau as a world centre of tourism and leisure as well as being a UNESCO-listed Creative City of Gastronomy.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Macau Museum of Art (MAM) in Nape
Mok said that “Art Macao” aimed to enrich residents’ daily lives with global art resources and “stimulate the wisdom and imagination of the city”. She added that her bureau will continue to strengthen the exchanges between Chinese culture and multiculturalism in Macau, promoting the development of cultural undertakings and Macau’s cultural industries.
A statement provided by the bureau yesterday said that the four-month mega art-fest is themed “Advance and Retreat of Globalisation”, incorporating 30 art exhibitions at 25 locations, and gathering artistic and cultural forces from around the world to build an artistic network across the city, showcasing creativity and imagination through the artworks on display.
The main exhibition at the Macau Museum of Art, curated by Qiu Zhijie, is divided into three parts: “The Dream of Mazu”, “Matteo Ricci’s Labyrinth of Memory” and “Advance and Retreat of Globalisation”.
According to the statement, the three thematic exhibitions feature over 40 artists from nearly 20 countries and regions, presenting more than 100 pieces and sets of artwork.
Qiu said the main exhibition gathers ideas from artists around the world during the era of globalisation, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby creating channel for mutual communication and understanding through arts.
According to the statement, the bureau will strictly follow the relevant guidelines of the Health Bureau and implement appropriate measures for “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021”. All participants must wear facemasks, undergo temperature checks, present a valid Macau Health Code of the day, and follow crowd control measures on-site. Admission to all activities is free.
“Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021” chief curator Qiu Zhijie (second from right) gives government officials and gaming industry executives a tour of the main exhibition of the art-fest during yesterday’s opening ceremony as Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Mok Ian Ian (first from right) looks on. Photo: Cultural Affairs Bureau(IC)
