Melting Memories, by Refik Anadol
Since June this year, Art Macao has blanketed the city with a burst of creativity and an abundance of art. Luckily for us, there are still a few more months to soak up the beauty and culture it has to offer. Showcasing the very best of Chinese contemporary art, as well as international works, there are so many stunning pieces that deserve to be shared online. Being beautifully crafted and expertly created, the artworks make for a truly aesthetically pleasing Instagram post. Here is our list of top five art pieces for Instagram, where to find them and how to shoot them.
Melting Memories at Wynn Macau
(See featured image)
Melting Memories by Refik Anadol is one that you can’t help but love. With intense materiality and unique texture, it is almost crying out to be touched. Though, of course, please do not touch it, instead, record it for Instagram. Take along a helpful companion and take a shot similar to the one above where your small and shadowed body contrasts against the dreamy artwork, showing the insignificance of a man or woman amongst the cosmos. Add a dreamy filter which accentuates blue and pink tones to add to the ethereal effect. It’s almost overwhelming when some of the textures move, bending and sliding around the surface before your eyes. Instagram is well known for compressing the quality of videos so we advise sticking to a still image for your upload and leaving the movements for the eyes alone.
When: June 6–October 6, 2019
Where: Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau
Good Intentions, by KAWS
Good Intentions at City of Dreams
This monumental sculpture needs to be on everyone’s Instagram feed. KAWS’ towering, Disney-like figures are popular all over the world, and especially in Macau. Good Intentions is located in front of the jarring steel structure in City of Dreams, which makes for a seriously impressive Instagram post. Get down low and take the photo from a low vantage point to really get the towering effect of the figures that portray the closeness of parent and child. We suggest adding a black and white filter for the ultimate artistic undertone. These pieces are everyone’s favorite, and are guaranteed to gain a lot of likes!
When: June 6–October 31, 2019
Where: City of Dreams, Estrada Do Istmo, Cotai
The Wanderer, by Wong Ka Long
The Wanderer at Taipa Houses – Museum
These sculptures are steeped in history and cultural context that can often be difficult to portray in a 320 x 320 post. Based on the story and philosophy of Fernando Pessoa–the infamous Portuguese poet who became renowned for his 75 ‘invented’ versions of himself–the sculptures all represent the extra personalities Pessoa fabricated. In order to capture this unique philosophy in an image, get up close to one of the sculptures, using the trick of perspective to make it seem bigger. Use soft focus on the background (or a low FP or aperture number if you’re using an SLR camera) so that the other sculptures in the background softly blur, representing the heteronym of both existing and not existing. Another great shot, is of one single statue over the water, appearing as if to look out over the Macau skyline. There are endless photo opportunities with these rugged bronze sculptures, and what makes them even more charming is the fact that they are made by a local artist–Wong Ka Long. It is so important to support local artists, and what better way to do so than by sharing their work on Instagram!
When: June 13–October 6, 2019
Where: Taipa Houses – Museum, Avenida da Praia, Carmo Zone, Taipa
Sanctuary (2019), by João Ó and Rita Machado
Sanctuary at Mount Fortress
This stunning site-specific piece by João Ó and Rita Machado is a breathtaking outdoor sculpture that is perfect for Instagram with panoramic views of the city behind it. Commenting on the history of the site as a military base while exploring the notion of protection and fragility, the bamboo structure is a paradox of meaning and intention. Take your photo from far away to get a shot with the whole artwork, or for a more unique shot get up close and take a photo looking up at half the arch. There are even some comfortable red hammocks that have been installed between the pillars, which make for a really interesting shot from below while lounging around on a bright summer day with a view of the Grand Lisboa in the background. Snap a few photos at sunset to make it even more special, perfect for throwback posts! From the walk to the installation, breathtaking views of the city, to the hammocks to lie down on, Sanctuary at Mount Fortress is a beautiful and peaceful day out for all the family to enjoy.
When: June 6–August 25, 2019
Where: Mount Fortress, Rue do Monte, Macau
A Metamorphosis: No End to End, by Jennifer Wen Ma
A Metamorphosis: No End to End at MGM Cotai
This contemporary take on traditional Chinese craft is a breathtaking example of the art scene at its best. Exploring the materiality of Chinese ink through a physical installation in addition to a technological digital painting, this piece is one that is really impressive. Whether down on the same floor or looking from the balcony level above, the whole piece feels as though you are within a dream world or video game. Looking down at the people below taking selfies or walking among the structures, they appear to be character-like. This makes the artwork more intriguing–by being a part of it. Take your Instagram photo during the day to make sure you have lots of light to capture the multiple layers of the piece and make sure you edit with high contrast levels so you won’t lose the details.
When: June 7–October 20, 2019
Where: MGM Cotai, Avenida da Nave Desportiva, Macau
Japan Street Art, by Kensuke Takahashi and Tadaomi Shibuya
‘Journey’ Exhibition at Studio City Macau
This impressive display of manga-inspired Japanese artwork is potentially the coolest shot you will have on your Instagram all year. With eight scenes, all telling mythical stories collected during the artist’s many trips to Japan, the sprawling scenes which spill from wall to floor provide for an epic full-frame shot that will be full of color and contrast. Despite looking more fit for an alleyway or an outdoor wall of a building, this exhibition is actually inside Studio City Macau, so you can admire the piece and take your time getting your shot sheltered from the weather or passers-by. To project the full experience to your social media, try adding some film footage of the anime experiences in the main lobby where cartoon characters designed by Hiroshi Yoshii come to life in an interactive installation. You and all your followers will no doubt be dying to book a trip to Japan by the end of it!
When: August 1–November, 2019
Where: Studio City Macau, Estrada do Istmo, Cotai
How much: Free admission
Visit www.artmacao.mo to find out more about the artists, artworks and the program as a whole. Make sure to tag us with the hashtag #macaulifestyle in any photos you upload!
All images unless otherwise specified have been taken from www.artmacao.mo
