Sands China's Innovative 'Beyond the Blue' Ceramics Exhibition Now Open – Free to Public
Colourful, unique and
interactive exhibits at The Venetian Macao in support of Art
Macao
(Macao, July 15, 2021) – Sands China's striking
ceramics exhibition for Art Macao is now open for public
viewing at The Venetian® Macao, after
the company held an opening ceremony Thursday at the
integrated
resort.
Project
Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of Ceramic
Extraordinaire, is one of the special
exhibitions of Art Macao: Macao International Art
Biennale 2021 and is open to the public 10
a.m.-10 p.m. daily July 15 - Oct.
31.
Sands China
invited internationally famed artist Caroline
Cheng to curate the exhibition, who called on
the talents of more than 20 world-renowned ceramic
artists and institutions to create works on the theme of
Beyond the Blue. The result is an eye-catching display
of both traditional and innovative creations.
The Beyond
the Blue theme is faceted in meaning. The works
utilise a diversity of designs and palettes, showcasing
how the beauty of ceramics can go beyond the
traditional colours of blue and white. By
applying innovative techniques, technologies and
designs, the artists have created pieces that go
beyond all expectations and imagination, in hopes
of bringing positivity to the world through art. Through
this exceptional collection of works, the exhibition
seeks to elicit joy and inspire visitors to go beyond
the blue mood of a pandemic world with optimism
for a brighter future
ahead.
"Sands China
is thrilled to have Caroline Cheng back to once again
curate a truly extraordinary ceramic exhibition for Art
Macao," said President of Sands China Ltd. Dr. Wilfred
Wong. "In response to Art Macao's event theme, 'To
create for well-being,' we believe our Project Sands X:
Beyond the Blue exhibition will delight and surprise
visitors as they discover that ceramics can go far
beyond their expectations. It is our pleasure to support
Art Macao with this collection of imaginative and
innovative ceramic artwork. It is without exaggeration a
must-see exhibition that has to be seen in person to
fully experience the wonder of these remarkable
creations. Our thanks go to the Macao government for
their patronage and organisation of Art Macao and for
their support, to the artists for their inventive works,
and to Ms. Cheng and our team members for their tireless
work on this
exhibition."
In 2019, Sands
China presented a gold-themed ceramics exhibition for
the inaugural Art Macao, in consideration of Macao's
centuries-long history as a key port for porcelain
export on the Maritime Silk
Road.
After the
success of the very popular All That's Gold Does Glitter
– An Exhibition of Glamorous Ceramics, Sands China is
now unveiling an even greater variety of ceramic
masterworks with Beyond the Blue. These exciting new
works created on a new theme will once again surprise
viewers and expand their appreciation of this
multi-faceted art
form.
Cheng, the
curator of both exhibitions, said: "The internet and
digital technology have transformed our lives. This
exhibition shows how an ancient art like making ceramics
can take advantage of techniques unavailable to artisans
of the past to now make ingenious creations previously
thought impossible. And with modern-day technologies
like augmented reality and livestreaming, viewers can
interact with and enjoy art in an entirely new way and
connect with each other in real time regardless of
geographical distance. We hope that, with Beyond the
Blue, this interconnectedness and creativity inspires us
all with hope and determination for a safe and unified
post-pandemic
world."
Beyond the
Blue's works combine technology and ceramics with
innovative presentation, and visitors are able to
interact with selected pieces via a free augmented
reality (AR) smartphone app. Exhibition attendees can
create their own virtual artwork or digitally insert
exhibition elements into their
selfies.
Exhibits made
from recycled ceramics promoting sustainability in art
are also on display with a vision to create a better
world.
To enhance
their enjoyment and understanding of the exhibits,
visitors can listen to a complimentary audio
guide on their smartphones to learn about the
artists and their works while browsing the
exhibition.
One
particularly interesting and unusual aspect of the
exhibition is a unique parallel exhibition of Beyond
the Blue with the Everson Museum of Art, which
contains one of the United States' foremost collections
of ceramic art.
As a way to
build on themes of interactivity and celebration, the
Everson has created a real-time exhibition in the museum
that can be viewed in 3D by remote visitors on
their smartphones and at an interactive screen at The
Venetian Macao main lobby. Viewers are able to manoeuvre
through the 360-degree space, while translated text and
audio-video hyperlinks provide more information in
English and
Chinese.
Meanwhile,
Beyond the Blue also features 14 signature works from
the Everson at The Venetian
Macao.
In this way,
the exhibition is able to make use of technology to
connect people across international borders, virtually
transporting Beyond the Blue visitors to the Everson,
while also bringing works from the Everson to
Macao.
Another
element of Sands China's support to Art Macao is the
Time Is On My Side – 2021 Greater Bay Area Young
Artists Scheme – A Competition of Painting &
Photography. The July-October contest was
announced at Thursday's opening ceremony, which also
marks the opening of artwork recruitment for the
competition. One of the judges, Dr. Wang Lan, gave an
introductory speech and talked about the judging
criteria for the contest, which is open to young artists
from Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Winners receive
cash prizes and certificates to encourage them to
continue their art, and their works will be displayed at
The Londoner® Macao. More information is
available at https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/art-competition.html.
The opening
ceremony was officiated by Lo Hou Chi, Representative of
the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the
Government of the Macao SAR; Mok Ian Ian, Director of
the Cultural Affairs Bureau; Maria Helena de Senna
Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism
Office; Zhu Hong, Deputy Director of the Economic
Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central
People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative
Region; Dr. Wong; Grant Chum, Chief Operating Officer of
Sands China Ltd.; Cheng; and Dr. Wang Lan, Associate
Professor of the School of Humanities and Arts at
M.U.S.T. and representative of the judging panel of Time
Is On My Side.
After the
ceremony, Cheng led guests of honour and VIPs on a
personally guided tour of the exhibition, sharing her
knowledge and valuable insights on the varied designs
and production techniques of the
works.
Project
Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of Ceramic
Extraordinaire is a special exhibition of Art
Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021, a
three-month long international cultural and artistic
extravaganza organised by the Macao government. More
information is available at https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com/artmacao-2021.html
and at the official Art Macao website at www.artmacao.mo.
Photo caption: Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China
Ltd., speaks at The Venetian Macao Thursday for the opening
ceremony of Project Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of
Ceramic Extraordinaire. A special exhibition of Art Macao: Macao
International Art Biennale 2021, Beyond the Blue is open to the
public 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily July 15-Oct.
31.
Photo caption: Caroline Cheng, internationally renowned
ceramic artist and curator, shares her remarks at The Venetian
Macao Thursday for the opening ceremony of Project Sands X:
Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of Ceramic Extraordinaire. Cheng
curated the eye-catching exhibition, calling on the talents of
more than 20 world-renowned ceramic artists and institutions to
create both traditional and innovative works on the theme of
Beyond the Blue.
Photo caption: Dr. Wang Lan, an M.U.S.T. associate
professor and a judge of Time Is On My Side – 2021 Greater Bay
Area Young Artists Scheme – A Competition of Painting &
Photography, shares information about the contest at The
Venetian Macao Thursday, during the opening ceremony of Project
Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of Ceramic
Extraordinaire. Thursday marked the opening of artwork
recruitment for the competition, which is open to young artists
from Macao and the Greater Bay Area.
Photo caption: Guests of honour officiate a ribbon
cutting at The Venetian Macao Thursday during the opening
ceremony for Project Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of
Ceramic Extraordinaire.
Photo caption: Sands China's striking ceramics exhibition
for Art Macao, Project Sands X: Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition
of Ceramic Extraordinaire, is now open for public viewing at The
Venetian Macao.
Photo caption: Ceramic curator and artist Caroline Cheng
leads guests of honour on a guided tour of Project Sands X:
Beyond the Blue – An Exhibition of Ceramic Extraordinaire after
the exhibition's opening ceremony Thursday at The Venetian
Macao.