Camy Tam
A public art exhibition entitled “Sun Boat太陽船” created by Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr, which is part of the ongoing Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 event, is on display in Barra Square in front of the A-Ma Temple.
The exhibition is hosted by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) in conjunction with the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO).
According to a statement on the bureau’s website, the exhibition features a sun disc of 360 paddles tied to each other in a circular shape illustrating the endless, interconnected movement of human beings on Earth seeking a better life.
According to the statement, Nasr was born in Alexandria in 1961. He lives and works in Cairo. He explores traditions and new globalism, questioning the geopolitical and social development in Africa. The artistic practice for Nasr is a tool and a language that embraces art, sociology, Sufism (A spiritual movement in Islam emphasising mysticism and asceticism) and history, in order to encourage dialogue across geographical boundaries.
In 2017, Nasr was selected to represent Egypt during the 57th Venice Biennale. Among his most recent solo shows were The Liminal Space, in Castel del Monte, Andria and Paradise Lost in Galleria Continua, San Gimignano, both held in 2019.
The statement pointed out that Nasr explores the concept of “migration” through this exhibit. Humans not only move between regions or social classes; their incessant and constant movement is seeking sustenance... seeking survival... seeking a better life. The concept of immigration has existed from the most ancient of times. The Ancient Egyptians emigrated from this life to the eternal one using Sun Boats with large paddles.
The exhibit is inspired by mankind’s constant state of motion, an infinite circle. It visually depicts the idea that nothing lasts, everything is endlessly changing, always for the purpose of survival, the statement underlined.
According to the bureau’s information, the size of the exhibit is 3.5 metres x Ø 10 metres.
The exhibition is on display until October 31 in Barra Square in front of A-Ma Temple. For more information, visit the website https://www.artmacao.mo/2021/eng.
Photos: Camy Tam
