28th Arts Festival | ‘Constellation Works’ exhibition inaugurated

The exhibition, “Constellation Works by Nicolas Delaroche”, integrated into the 28th Macao Arts Festival, was inaugurated on Friday at the Tap Seac Gallery, according to exhibition organizer, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC).

The exhibition features three series of works by Delaroche, including a photography series titled “First Seen.” It was made during the artist’s residency in China and was initially titled “A Barbarian in China”.

According to the IC, Delaroche uses the term “barbarian” to “describe a foreigner who observes an unknown culture, exploring and capturing the world he [has seen] for the first time.”

“First Seen” features a total of 80 pieces by Delaroche and depicts his observations and study of private collections in mainland China and Hong Kong. It encourages the public to reflect on the meaning behind collecting and displaying artworks by showcasing them from different perspectives.

In addition to the photography series, an installation titled “The Rock” is also featured in the exhibition. The installation is a massive inflated sculpture made of white fabric that recreates the desert landscape of the animated movie “Road Runner”.

The third series of works by Delaroche, “The Adventures of the Coyote in China”, is a blueprint of the Coyote character from the aforementioned film.

Born in 1985 in Laon, France, Delaroche currently lives in Switzerland. He obtained a master’s degree in contemporary art from the Hochschule de Kunste Bern as well as a photography degree from the École cantonale d’art de Lausanne.

A statement from the IC says that the opening ceremony was officiated by IC President Leung Hio Ming, among other senior officials in the MSAR, including the deputy director of the department of education and culture from the mainland’s MSAR Liaison Office.

The exhibition is open daily to the public at the Tap Seac Gallery until October 8. Admission is free.