Camy Tam
An exhibition entitled “Advance and Retreat of Globalisation” (全球化的進與退), which is part of the ongoing Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 event, is being held at the Macau Museum of Art (MAM) in Nape.
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 museum’s website, the exhibition is divided into three parts: “The Dream of Mazu” (媽祖的夢), “Matteo Ricci’s Labyrinth of Memory” (利瑪竇的記憶迷宮) and “Advance and Retreat of Globalisation” (全球化的進與退).
The exhibition features over 100 sets of artwork by more than 40 artists from nearly 20 countries and regions displayed at the three sessions – concerning daily life and dreams, distance and nearness, and a sense of safety and happiness.
According to a statement by Chief Curator of “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021” Qiu Zhijie (邱志杰) about the exhibition, “the global COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 is posing an unprecedentedly tough challenge to globalisation which had suddenly accelerated since the 1980s. As many governments shut down their borders and controlled entry [regulations] and travel, huge pressure has been put on the international trade system… Over the years, populism, separatism, and identity politics have risen in European and Northern American countries, intensifying turmoil around the globe. The pandemic and its prevention and control measures have triggered discussions among intellectuals in these countries.”
Qiu’s statement underlines that the Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021 event “is being launched at this special moment, with the theme of Advance and Retreat of Globalisation. We hereby invite artists from Macau and all over the world to participate in this event, where we will have a technical discussion on globalisation and individuals, on daily life and dreams, on distance and nearness, and on a sense of safety and happiness.”
The exhibition themed “Advance and Retreat of Globalisation” is being held in the 2nd floor gallery of the museum at the Macau Cultural Centre complex until October 17. It opens daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (no admission after 6:30 p.m.). It is closed on Mondays but open on public holidays. Admission is free. For more details, visit http://www.mam.gov.mo/e/exhibition.
As part of the government’s COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures, all visitors to the museum must wear a facemask, have their temperature checked and present a valid Macau Health Code.
Photos: Camy Tam
