The installation art Valkyrie Octopus was created by renowned Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos commissioned especially for MGM MACAU in 2015. The Valkyrie series, are previously created for spaces such as the legendary Château Versailles, the Palazzo Grassi in Venice etc. The Valkyrie Octopus here at MGM is the artist’s largest piece of her Valkyrie series to date. The elongated arms that resemble tentacles of Octopus burst out of the main body of Valkyrie, reaching the aquarium of the Grande Praça and the three sculptures on the ground, a seamless intergration of the artwork and the Grande Praça into an artistic ocean. “Octopus” in Chinese Culture share same pronounication of “eight”, evokes meaning of good fortune. The work, measuring 35 meters in length, 20 meters in height and weighing 1,200 kilos, is made from more than 4,000 meters of boldly colored and patterned fabrics, such as Nisa embroidery from the Alto Alentejo region of Portugal and embellished with thousands of beads and LED lights placed in a patchwork of patterns, shapes and textures.
With Year 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the China and Portugal, the Valkyrie Octopus sail off from Macau for exhibition in Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology in Lisbon. After accomplishing its mission, Valkyrie Octopus will be on tour in cities in China and back to MGM MACAU during the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Macao SAR. Stay tuned for its return.
