Sands China held a seminar titled Behind the Forms: The Essence of Contemporary Art on Saturday at the Macao Museum of Art (MAM) by local scholar and artist Guilherme Ung Vai Meng, which was attended by over 100 participants, according to a statement by the integrated resort operator on Monday.
The free-admission event was organised as part of the Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2023 and also as an extended academic event in conjunction with the ongoing Behind the Forms: Aesthetics of Contemporary Art – Trio Exhibition by Lei Ieng Wai, Leong Chi Mou and Lai Sio Kit hosted at Sands Gallery, the statement noted.
Split into two parts, the statement said that Ung first explored the significance of contemporary art by examining ideas from ancient Greek culture and Western philosophers, while the seminar’s second part offered insights into the three young local artists exhibiting their works at the current Sands Gallery exhibition.
Moreover, Ung joined a panel discussion with Leong and Lai as well as the event’s coordinator Julia Lam Tsz Kwan, and the exhibition’s curator Kitman Leong.
Ung was quoted in the statement as saying: “Contemporary art is a reflection of our present lives and a product of this era. Therefore, through this lecture, I hope to assist art enthusiasts in breaking away from past habits and embracing a different approach and perspective when appreciating contemporary art.”
Ung, the statement said, was also commissioned by Sands China to create his own work for Art Macao, which is titled The Genesis of Rationality, which is being displayed at Art Macao’s Invitational Exhibition by Local Artists at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM).
Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying-wai was quoted as saying: “We hope this meaningful activity will engage art enthusiasts, cultivate art appreciation among our visitors, and inspire Macau’s young artists as we delve into the essence of contemporary art”.
Macau Artist Society President Lok Hei was quoted as saying that “with the intention of disseminating the approach towards interpreting contemporary art for a wider audience, we are thrilled to have extended an invitation to Prof. Ung Vai Meng to share his profound insights” on the seminar’s topic.
Meanwhile, “Meet the Magic: In celebration of Disney 100 by Philip Colbert and Jason Naylor” is also being held across various Sands properties in Cotai, with details on: https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/artmacao-2023.html
This handout photo taken on Saturday and provided by Sands China yesterday shows professor, scholar and local artist Guilherme Ung Vai Meng addressing the Behind the Forms: The Essence of Contemporary Art seminar at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape.
