Creating a Unique Tourism Experience with Contemporary Wuxia Culture
MGM is committed to promoting Chinese culture, using “Originality + Innovation” to develop a diverse arts and cultural program. The year 2024 marks the “double celebrations” — the 75th anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, and 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao S.A.R. — MGM presents internationally renowned Chinese contemporary artist Ren Zhe in his first-ever solo Macau show, “MGM X Ren Zhe – ‘Legends of Chivalry’ Art Exhibition”, which opens today and features a series of works created under the theme of “wuxia heroism”. This exhibition is one that combines concepts of “selling exhibition” and “public art”, and employs a multi-dimensional, and cross-cultural story-telling of Chinese heritage.
More than 150 guests from Greater China and overseas attended the opening ceremony of “MGM X Ren Zhe – ‘Legends of Chivalry’ Art Exhibition”, including Yin Rutao, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Leong Wai Man, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Cheng Wai Tong, Acting Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited; Bill Hornbuckle, Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International Co-Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Ltd., and Ren Zhe, Chinese Contemporary Artist.
Pansy Ho, Chairperson and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, said, “MGM is delighted to collaborate with the Chinese influential young artist Ren Zhe to jointly curate this art event, which incorporates both exhibition and selling components under the theme of ‘Chivalrous Spirit’. With such a diverse and innovative format, we aspire to not only promote traditional Chinese culture to locals and tourists through Ren Zhe's contemporary sculptural works, but also to inject commercial elements into the local art scene, giving impetus to the high-quality development of art and cultural industry that helps foster Macau’s '1+4' economic diversification.”
Chinese contemporary artist Ren Zhe said, “MGM and I share the same vision of boundless creativity and devotion in promoting Chinese culture through innovation. This is an unconventional exhibition as my sculptures are exhibited in the public space and gallery under one roof at MGM COTAI, allowing everyone to seek the spirit of chivalry underpinning each piece of work. It also combines Wuxia culture, contemporary arts and lifestyle into a unique cultural tourism experience to promote the essence of Chinese culture.”
William Fong, Founder of Pottinger 22, said, “We hope to demonstrate the charm of Chinese culture through this exhibition, to honor the indomitable spirit and strength of our heroes, expressing our deepest admiration for unique Chinese wuxia heroism through art. The innovative space at MGM has opened up different possibilities for art curation. The glass-domed Spectacle, with its ever-changing ambience integrated with digital technology, presents the sculptures in a multi-dimensional fashion.
At the Spectacle, the “MGM X Ren Zhe – ‘Legends of Chivalry’ Art Exhibition” features the awe-inspiring sculptures of beloved Jin Yong characters Golden-haired Lion King and Xiaolongnu. To accompany the sculptures, Hong Kong Film Award-winning visual effects artist Victor Wong created a multimedia artwork featuring iconic scenes from The Condor Trilogy, offering visitors a 360-degree panoramic view of a vibrantly digitised wuxia world through the Spectacle’s LED screens. Meanwhile, the “MGM X Ren Zhe – ‘Legends of Chivalry’ Selling Exhibition” at ‘M Art Gallery presents more than 20 sculptural art pieces by Ren, which exemplifies the fusion of his Chinese philosophical thinking with contemporary techniques, alongside a series of manuscripts that serve as an extension of his sculptures. Additionally, Ren’s multidisciplinary series’ in neo-Chinese home décor products and apparel are exhibited for the first time in the world, demonstrating his studies of traditional Chinese culture alongside Western art-making techniques, allowing artistry to permeate into everyday life.
Outside MGM COTAI at Macau’s Barra district, a concurrent showcase, “‘Into the World of Wuxia Legends’ Jin Yong Wuxia Drama Costumes and Weapons Exhibition” displays an array of drama costumes and filming props provided by Hong Kong Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB). A series of TVB Jin Yong drama clips are being played at the exhibition, offering visitors a cinematic, immersive experience that transcends time and space. To further develop Barra district as a destination for relaxation and entertainment, MGM also partners with local small and medium-sized food service businesses to operate food trucks that offer a tempting selection of local snacks and drinks.
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About “MGM X Ren Zhe – ‘Legends of Chivalry’ Selling Exhibition”
Duration: Available from now, year-round (guided art tours available)
Time: 12:00 to 20:00 daily
Venue: ‘M Art Gallery, MGM COTAI
Artworks by Ren Zhe on display:
- Sculptures of classic characters from Jin Yong’s martial arts novels: The Eagle-shooting Heroes, The Condor Heroes, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, The Flying Fox of The Snowy Mountain, The Young Flying Fox, and The Duke of Mount Deer
- Other sculptural works including “Qi Gu”, “Jing Ling”, “Shen Se” that encompasses Ren’s signature “warriors” iconography, and draws inspiration from deities and myths in Chinese folklore
- Manuscripts; and works that Ren was a creative collaborator on, including “ARTI_DIVINE”, a series of home décor products, and “RE_DIVINE”, a series of neo-Chinese apparel
About “‘Into the World of Wuxia Legends’ Jin Yong Wuxia Drama Costumes and Weapons Exhibition
Venue： Navy Yard No. 1 and Navy Yard No. 2
Duration： 2024/04/30 – 07/30
Time: Monday to Friday - 11:00AM – 18:00PM
Saturday to Sunday and PH - 11:00AM – 21:00PM
Ticket Price: Standard Ticket MOP 50 | Concession ticket* MOP 30 (This ticket is only valid for individuals aged 65 and above or groups consisting of 30 or more persons.)
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About Ren Zhe
Born in 1983, Ren Zhe graduated from the Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University and is renowned for combining traditional Chinese culture with contemporary Western technique in his works of art. His art-making ethos is to “channel a formidable external presence by unleashing the momentum of impetuous energy, etch an outward image based on intrinsic character, and embody the essential ethos by building up from within”. In 2019, his “Qi — Ren Zhe Sculpture Exhibition” at Beijing’s Imperial Ancestral Temple caused a sensation in the art world, being also the first contemporary artist to be exhibited at that historic venue. His sculptural works are highly sought after in the art auction market and have repeatedly set records for bidding prices. This exhibit features several of Ren’s works for the very first time.
About MGM
MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau.
MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.
MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI became the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.
MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jessie Kuan
Executive Director of Public Relations
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3412
Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo
Juliana Kung
Director of Public Relations
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3424
Email: julianakung@mgm.mo
