The ongoing “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2025” presents over 30 exhibitions in six sections that comprise “Main Exhibition”, “Public Art Exhibition”, “City Pavilion”, “Special Exhibition”, “Local Curatorial Project” and “Collateral Exhibition”.
Among Art Macao 2025’s highlights are the City Pavilions representing China and Portugal, with Pavilion of Portugal, “Pavilion of Vila Franca de Xira: The Reinvention of the Real – Portuguese Contemporary Art in the Museum of Neo-Realism Collection”, recently inaugurated at the Tap Seac Gallery.
The planning of the section “City Pavilion” is closely aligned with the Macau SAR Government’s policies, aiming to enhance the strategic positioning of the “cultural exchange centre between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries”, and focuses on the development layout of “One Base” to foster deeper cultural exchanges, according to the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC).
Curated by David Santos and José Maçãs de Carvalho, the Pavilion of Vila Franca de Xira, themed “The Reinvention of the Real”, showcases Portuguese contemporary artworks from the Museum of Neo-Realism collection. The works are presented in a wide variety of media, including painting, installation, photography and video, which are created between 1999 and 2024.
The exhibition corresponds to the Biennial’s theme “Hey, what brings you here?”, exploring the critical reshaping of reality through art, inviting the audience to engage in dialogue with contemporary society, and extending the aesthetic experience of art into a profound reflection on life, according to IC.
Located on the banks of the Tagus River in Portugal, Vila Franca de Xira is a city in the Lisbon District renowned for its monuments related to bullfighting traditions and its rich cultural landscape. It is a cultural city that blends a long history with innovative vitality.
Established in 2007, the Museum of Neo-Realism is in the heart of Vila Franca de Xira, which boasts a diverse collection, particularly featuring works by prominent Portuguese artists of the 20th century. By continuously hosting innovative exhibitions, the Museum actively promotes the development of contemporary art, making it one of most representative artistic landmarks in Portugal.
The “Pavilion of Vila Franca de Xira: The Reinvention of the Real – Portuguese Contemporary Art in the Museum of Neo-realism Collection” is jointly organised by the Consulate General of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong and IC, with the support of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and the SAR’s six integrated resort companies.
Furthermore, The exhibition is jointly produced by the Instituto Português do Oriente (IPOR) and the Centre for Portuguese Culture and Language, and initiated by the City Council of Vila Franca de Xira and the Museum of Neo-Realism.
The exhibition is open from 10 am to 7 pm daily, including on public holidays, until 16 November. Admission is free. For more information about Art Macao 2025 visit its official website.
Source and Photo: IC
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