Relations - Annual Arts Exhibition between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries

Exhibition

28/10/2023 – 1/1/2024

Exhibitions Gallery and Nostalgic House of Taipa Houses

Public Art

From mid-December 2023, for half a year

Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory , Lai Chi Vun Shipyards

Exhibitions Gallery and Nostalgic House of Taipa Houses, The Old Iec Long Firecracker Factory site, 荔枝碗船廠片區

Since the Portuguese explorers entered Macao in the 16th century, introducing Western culture to a then small fishing hamlet, Sino-Portuguese cultures have forged ties for almost five centuries. Macao has become a focal point linking Chinese and Portuguese cultures, and the cultural keys therein have gradually increased, expanding into the culture of all the Portuguese-speaking countries. Besides opening the door to Eastern, Western and African cultures, these interlinked cultural keys have generated dynamics and impacts that created symbiotic relationships where cultural infiltrations, assimilations and integrations occur.

This year's Annual Arts Exhibition is themed “Relations”, with each artist exploring their own relationship with Sino-Portuguese cultures and multiculturalism. The first encounter, almost 500 years ago, was only a starting point, and Macao will continue developing culturally integrated and symbiotic relations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries via different platforms.

This edition invites seven artists, including Zhou Wei and Zhang Wenxin from mainland China, Bordalo II from Portugal, Eduardo Fonseca from Brazil, Lino Damião from Angola, and Lai Sio Kit and Cheong Hoi I from Macao. Adjusting to the layout of the two Taipa Houses galleries, the exhibitions by artists from different regions contemplate each other. This way, cultural differences, self-reflection on the theme and the interweaving of diverse artistic media combine to create cultural collisions and exchanges. Two large-scale outdoor public art works by Portuguese artist are shown in the highly historical and representative heritage sites of Macao - the Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory and the Lai Chi Vun Shipyards, creating a new relationship of interpenetration and fusion between Chinese and Portuguese cultures.

Exhibition

28/10/2023 – 1/1/2024

Exhibitions Gallery and Nostalgic House of Taipa Houses

Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am – 7pm including public holidays, no admission after 6:30pm

Public Art

From mid-December 2023, for half a year

Former Iec Long Firecracker Factory

Open daily from 6am – 7pm including public holidays, closed on Wednesdays (3pm – 7pm)

Lai Chi Vun Shipyards

Open for 24 hours