Organized by Fundaçao Oriente and AFA (Art for all Society), the opening of the exhibition “Autumn Salon 2018” and “VAFA International Video Festival 2018” was successfully held on 3 November. More than 100 guests came to celebrate this exciting occasion, including Consul General Paulo Cunha Alves of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong, Acting Vice-President Lei Lai Kio of Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, President Carlos Monjardino of Macao Delegation of Orient Foundation, President Lok Hei Macau Artist Society, President of Printmaking Research Center of Macau, President Alice Kok of Art For All Society, Director Ana Paula CLETO of Macao Delegation of Orient Foundation, Curator of VAFA International Video Art Festival, Macau Famous Artist Mr. Ung Vai Meng, Macau Famous Artist Mr. Cai Guo Jie, artists, collectors, media and other guests.

 
Guest group photo at the opening ceremony

At the opening of Autumn Salon and VAFA International Video Festival

Since this May, AFA had started receiving applications from the public to participate in the event, a total of 114 works were received, eventually 82 pieces including oil painting, watercolor, drawing, sculpture, photography, porcelain and printmaking, installation and videos etc. are selected. The participating artists are: Cai Guo Jie, Chan Ka Lok, Chau da Luz, Celeste, Che Chi Un （Meng Hei）,Cheok Hio Peng, Duarte Esmeriz, Edmundo Remedios Lameiras, Fan Sai Hong, Fei In Leong, Francisco Ricarte, Gonçalo Cardoso de Menezes, Heidi Ng, Ho Ka Io, Ho Si Man, Ieong Man Hin, Ieong Mei Cheng, James Chu Cheok Son, José das Neves, Jose Drummond, Kok Alice, Kawo Cheang, Lam Ka Man, Lei Chek On, Leong Cheng I, Leong Chi Mou, Leong Lampo, Lou Ka I, Ng Man Wai, Noah Ng Fong Chao, Ricardo Meireles, Sanchia Lau, Shih Ting Yu, Siokit Lai, Sou Chon Kit, Tang Kuok Hou, Tiffany Ian Tong Ho, Tong Chong, Vai Im Fong, Van Pou Lon, Wong Hio Chit, Yang Sio Maan, Yolanda Kog and Zheng Yu. Some of them are local young artist and their works are displaying a diverse style. The artists participated in this event are from different background, nevertheless, their work together illustrate an integrated representation of distinctive local culture through an artistic perspective.

In the opening the result for the Orient Foundation Art Award is also announced. Local young artist Luna Cheong, for the wood sculpture of “Luna Cheong”, is finally elected by the jury in fierce competitions. Cheong was born in 1995, Graduated from Macau Polytechnic Institute with a BA in Visual Art. She has also held two solo exhibitions, "The valley of tears" and "Life out of focus", respectively in 2017 and 2018. For group exhibitions, she has participated in AFA Autumn Salon in 2017 and Women Artists 1st International Biennial of Macao in 2018. The winner will be granted an opportunity to visit Portugal for a month for art related creation in 2019, the value of the prize including air ticket and accommodation is MOP$50,000. The two honorable mentions: one to Ieong Mei Cheng for the Video with the title “Impersonate” and another one to Wong Mei Teng for the drawing of “Buffer Zone”. Part of the participating artworks is also be displayed at Autumn Salon 2018. 



 
Consul General Paulo Cunha Alves of Portugal in Macau and Hong Kong and the winner of honorable mention, Ieong Mei Cheng

The Winning artwork for Orient Foundation Art Award 2018

On the other hand, Macau International Video Art Festival - VAFA 2018 was extremely successful with 375 videos being submitted. Artists from 53 countries and regions participated with the top five countries in number of videos in the contest being the USA (43 videos), UK (31 videos), France (25 videos), China (mainland, 23 videos) and Portugal (21 videos). The organizer has invited jury composed of international video artists and curators to select the winning video and two honorable mentions. The winner of the Best Video will be rewarded USD$1,000 and was invited to Macau to join the opening ceremony of the exhibition, and two honorable mentions will be rewarded USD$500.

President Carlos Monjardino of Macao Delegation of Orient Foundation and the winner of VAFA International Video Festival Maria Molina Peiró (Spain/Holland)

The organizers invited the local renowned jazz band to perform in the ceremony. Under the gentle rhythm, around 100 guests gathered together for this special occasion. Guests are impressed by the artwork and the exquisite scenery of the Orient Foundation. After sunset, the performance "Ship of Fools" took place in the garden of Orient Foundation. It was performed by musician João Morais with his exquisite Viola Campaniça, accompanied with the moving poetry readying by José Anjos and Lang Sida. The night was very romantic as everyone sat on the stage and watched the performance.

 
Local renowned jazz band performing live at the opening

 
Visitors at Casa Garden, Orient Foundation before the opening
 

Visitors watching at the artworks

 
Visitors watching at the artworks

 
"Ship of Fools", performed by musician João Morais with his exquisite Viola Campaniça, accompanied with the moving poetry readying by José Anjos and Lang Sida.
 

"Ship of Fools", performed by musician João Morais with his exquisite Viola Campaniça, accompanied with the moving poetry readying by José Anjos and Lang Sida.

“Autumn Salon 2018” and “VAFA International Video Festival 2018” takes place in Casa Garden, Macao Delegation of Fundação Orient, from 4 to 30 November. The gallery is open from 10:00am to 7:00pm, while closing on Monday and public holidays. This event is partly sponsored by Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR Government. For enquiries, please call (853) 2836 6064 during office hours or email to info@afamacao.com. For more information please browse www.afamacau.com.