A fine example of the Artyzen Grand Lapa’s passion for art and culture is evident as soon as guests reach the reception desk upon arrival. Located behind the desk across four beautifully intricate panels, each over three metres in height, is the magnificent artwork entitled 'The Happy People in Macau', created by one of the most iconic Macau artists, Carlos Marreiros. The artistic journey continues at the lift lobby area on the first and second floor.
Commissioned in 2016, the art work reflects the history of East meets West in Macau, blending modernity and tradition within the rich, cross-cultural landscape of Macau, and the joy of people who live in this unique city of hybrid cultures. The masterpiece embraces the Boa Vida concept, which has become very significant since the hotel began its rebranding journey.
“The idea was to do something that reflected Macau’s situation as a cosmopolitan city, based in over five centuries of history between East and West, and especially China and Portugal,” notes Carlos. “Besides the idea of a landscape, I also wanted to feature some people, heritage, traditions and modernity, and therefore, I proposed this idea of ‘Happy People’.”
The well-known architect, university professor, poet, writer and painter is one of Macau’s most beloved home-grown talents. Influenced by both Chinese and Portuguese cultures from a young age, Marreiros has close ties with the city by virtue of his deeply rooted Macanese heritage. His delightful artwork panels are inspired by the city he has called home for most of his life.
The images are depicted on three layers of clear acrylic, using a combination of paint and silkscreen print techniques, all describing particular aspects of Macau’s history and daily life.
“The first layer is in blue, suggesting the Chinese blue and white Cheng Fa porcelain from the Ming Dynasty, which influenced the Portuguese Azulejo tiles,” explains the artist.
The images on this layer present both an accurate yet also romantacised vision of the Macau’s cityscape, including such famous landmarks as A-Ma Temple, St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Anthony’s Church and Mandarin House.
“Historically, St Anthony’s was located almost on the outskirts of the Christian part of the city, so it was considered quite far away from the city centre. The local Chinese called it Garden of Flowers, because the Chinese mothers would go there to pray to St. Anthony for their daughters to find a good husband and get married,” Carlos comments.
The second layer, painted in an aged gold colour, depicts sixteen auspicious Chinese symbols or pictograms, including Chinese Eight Treasures which represent fortune and wealth, six Chinese Lanterns implying Chinese culture, brightness and the joy of festivals, and a golden globe and sailboat canvas representing global culture and discovery.
The top layer of the image, reveals a more playful side of the artist, as he presents images of the ‘Happy People’ of Macau in a sculpture bronze colour. Marreiros introduces a number of figures who have strong links to Macau including the famous Portuguese poet Camilo Pessanha who lived some of his life here, and Mazu, a famous Chinese goddess, who also resembles the goddess A-Ma, which represents the first encounter with the Portuguese and the establishment of a trading port in Macau.
“Mazu is presented like a Chinese opera singer and also like a bride because she has many names, including Tian Hau, which is translated into English as Celestial Concubine,” notes Carlos.
The Poet Pessanha is flying towards her, implying the happy marriage between Chinese and Portuguese culture. Interestingly, the ancient figure of Mazu is depicted over an unlikely object – a skateboard.
“My art has no time, it is timeless in that I mix what was 1,000 or 500 years ago with the present. So this is a symbol of contemporaneity, and to show that she is floating around like kids on skateboards,” says the artist.
There are other amusing images, like Cupid, again on skateboard, “because there are so many love stories in Macau, so this was an obvious way to represent this”.
And a business man sitting on a plane: “Macau is about business, but also the interaction of people of all walks of life, not only today but throughout history.”
And a Portuguese rooster flying on a space ship: “Moving around the world and going to the future.”
There are also festive scenes like a Portuguese couple dancing in traditional costumes, a southern Chinese lion dance, and the Drunken Dragon Festival, all providing a sense of tradition, joy and the celebration of a good life.
“I do see a connection between this artwork and the concept of Boa Vida, and I’m happy that the hotel is using it as part of its rebranding. Boa Vida is about enjoying food and drink, but also about the atmosphere, heritage, art, and about being in a place with tolerance and co-existence, where people are happy living together, like Macau. With happy people you can have Boa Vida.”