In May, the 31st Macao Arts Festival was held, after being cancelled last year, and this year’s theme was appropriately “Restart”. But even this year, the programme necessarily could not be as international as in previous years, focusing mostly on performances from Mainland China and Macau. And for this issue of CLOSER, we too are focusing on local art, specifically some interesting collaborations between art and the community, art and business and art and sport.
Our cover story focuses on independent theatre group Rolling Puppets, founded and run by Kevin Choi and Teng Teng Lam, who have just opened up their new base in Coloane Village, House of Puppets. Their goal in being located there is to make creative and artistic activities more accessible to the local community and to engage people through art in the relaxed and laid back atmosphere of the village.
Real estate company Ambiente Properties has also kicked off a new art initiative, inviting local artists to present their artwork in their very homely office space as a way of interacting with clients and the community. Abstract painter Denis Murrell was the first artist to present his works recently, bringing vibrant splashes of colour to the work place.
And CLOSER’s photographer Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro also unveiled his latest collaboration with EXIT Skateboard shop and Maven Skateboards, with three of his striking black and white photos being featured on their boards, as well as EXIT’s own brand T-shirts.
Still in the world of art, we had a sneak peek at the new show coming soon to MGM Cotai, Awakening Lion, a spectacular fusion of traditional lion dance and martial arts, with the high tech effects offered up by the MGM Theatre.
In late May, a group of photography professionals and enthusiasts inaugurated their new photographer’s association, Halftone, with an exhibition at the Portuguese Bookshop and plans to launch a magazine, training seminars and other activities to develop the profession in Macau.
Two other exciting openings have taken place in Macau recently, with the launch of Macau’s very first Shake Shack at The Londoner, and Studio City’s new Water Park. Both are already proving to be very popular and are likely to be favourite spots over the summer break.
This issue we also speak with local entrepreneur Kylie Chim, who has just launched her new start-up travel app, Trally, which aims to give people the opportunity to travel the world with personalized guided tours, from the comfort of home. A handy idea in this time of lockdowns and quarantines!
Finally, we present three great books for summer reading and chat with Macanese architect André Ritchie in our Q&A section.
Try to stay cool and Happy Reading!
