Interview by William Chan
The “Curiouser & Curiouser - Excursion in Alice’s Secret Garden” exhibition, running from August 5 to September 20, is on display on the ground-floor of the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre.
The inauguration took place on Sunday, as noted by the event’s curator Mel Cheong Hoi I in a recent online interview with the Post.
Cheong, previously an artist featured in the “Curiouser & Curiouser” exhibition series, has transitioned to a curator role for this edition. “We aim to offer more opportunities to local artists, uncovering their talents and presenting them to the public,” she underlined.
In a previous article, the Post published an interview about last year’s “Curiouser & Curiouser” exhibition with Cheong.*
This year, the exhibition features more interactive and spacious elements resembling a forest. Umbrellas now serve as leaves atop wooden planks, and mushrooms act as chairs, with a special focus on hosting collaborative performances involving artists from local organisations. “There are also fun-house mirrors attached to the wooden planks, so that visitors would feel like Alice in the story where after she drank and ate some mysterious stuff she ended up changing size constantly,” Cheong said.
Cheong noted that the local installation artist, Teng Ka Man, has clearly reflected details of the story of Alice in Wonderland, having known how the installation-art elements could fit the event, which is a mime show accompanied by live music. Each Sunday afternoon, actors playfully portray caterpillars within the forest setting, transforming into butterflies by the play’s conclusion - aiming to enchant young audiences with the magic of live performances.
Meanwhile, workshops, held on Saturdays, aim to offer a unique experience through book readings of Alice in Wonderland and creative sessions. “We hope that after the reading sessions, children will become more immersed with the installation art and rediscover some of the previously unnoticed elements,” she said.
The Mime Show takes place every Sunday until September 15, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., free of charge. Reading sessions are scheduled for every Saturday until September 14, at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., with tickets priced at 200 patacas. For purchases go to www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb2023/programme/P-055021
*https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/18698
Performers act as butterflies at the end of the play. – Photos: William Chan
A storyteller narrates the tale of Alice in Wonderworld on the ground floor of the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre. – Photos provided by Mel Cheong
