ARTS | Edgy ‘Valkyrie Octopus’ is taking over MGM’s aquarium

A multicolored octopus structure is slowly taking shape at the heart of MGM Macau’s Grande Praça. Its tentacles are taking over the square’s famous aquarium. Acclaimed contemporary artist Joana Vasconcelos said her latest creation, “Valkyrie Octopus,” aims to combine “the past, tradition, and the future.”
“That’s what happened here in Macau: Macau combines the Portuguese tradition with the casino, which represents the future. It’s amazing to be able to do this through my work; to be able to have access to such an immense and marvelous space and create something completely new, which is to create art in a casino,” she told local artists on Monday in an event co-
organized by MGM Macau and Macau Closer.
MGM Macau has invited acclaimed Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos to develop an artwork specifically designed for the main square of the casino resort. The installation is officially scheduled to open on Sunday.
Before exchanging ideas with local artists at a private dinner on Monday, Joana walked them through the edgy creation taking shape at MGM’s square.
Known for using traditionally feminine crafts such as crochet or textiles, or even using unconventional elements to create unnerving and imposing sculptures and installations, Joana explained that this time she felt compelled to incorporate Macau’s unique colors and elements into the piece.
“We talked with a Feng Shui master, and he told me a lot of things that made sense, regarding the colors of the tiles and the aquarium. My usual pattern of colors is darker, as I use the Portuguese colors. So normally I would have used a lot of black. But here I had to think of Macau colors, a lot of silver and gold, which are closer to the Chinese taste,” she recalled.
This, the artist acknowledged, is one of the most exciting aspects about connecting with other cultures: adapting to different tastes and surrounding environments and allowing artworks to develop a unique relationship with the space. “You transform your way of thinking and adapt it to different patterns, colors and aesthetics. That’s what contemporary artists do,” she stressed.
Creating an art piece for a casino resort isn’t an impossible challenge. Despite never having prepared an exhibition for a casino, the artist has created works for unconventional venues that are not usually associated with contemporary art.
From a controversial exhibition featuring two extravagant warlike lions covered in white lace napkins at the Palace of Versailles, to designing one of her most famous pieces “The Bride” – a chandelier made entirely of tampons – Joana has done it all.
“This is what I have been doing for years, relating to places out of the ordinary. Contemporary artists are being compelled to get out of their comfort zones and of their usual environment and put their abilities to good use in diverse environments,” she pointed out.
Modern artists are increasingly adopting challenges that lead them to create and explore art outside museums or galleries. They are being encouraged to showcase their artworks in unconventional places and, most importantly, to create art specifically related to those environments.
“What matters to me is that my work relates to the surrounding environment and its architecture,” Joana said, adding that in a space like the Grande Praça – which is intended to portray Lisbon – it was not too difficult to create an engaging piece of art.
“It was easy to interpret the architecture. This is Lisbon; here we have the façades, the Portuguese pavement, and the aquarium, which is an element I had to relate and interact with,” she recalled.
“I have been developing projects that are completely out of the ordinary and out of what the art establishment might entail. Of course I have displayed my artworks in museums and galleries, the primary contemporary art places for exhibitions. But throughout my artistic life, I have also been doing quite the opposite: displaying my artworks in old palaces, for instance, which is not easy,” she concluded.
James Chu, Carlos Marreiros, António Conceição Junior, and Konstantin Bessmertny were among the local artists and curators who joined the Portuguese artist on Monday for a tour of her ongoing work at MGM Macau’s square.
António Conceição Junior told reporters that Joana’s exhibition is of great importance “as we haven’t had the presence of such a significant Portuguese artist since Macau’s handover.” Mr Conceição Junior added that Joana’s installation is particularly meaningful, as many of its comprising elements are linked to Portuguese culture. He welcomed the exchange of ideas between Portuguese and local artists, and concluded that such events should be held more often, so local artists have the opportunity to reflect upon the artwork alongside its creator.
Painter Konstantin Bessmertny added, “I have always had a conflict with the way casinos were built, but I see that Joana could adapt and change everything I don’t like to make it a more artistic [place]. I would be happy to see more artists of such caliber and importance displaying their artwork here in Macau.”
CEO and executive director of MGM China Holdings Ltd., Grant Bowie, said that the operator will, “continue efforts to bring in monumental art experiences of this caliber, as [part of] our commitment to expanding Macau’s diversified offerings as a premier international hub of leisure and tourism.”
“Valkyrie Octopus,” which measures 35 meters in length, 20 meters in height and weights 1,200 kilos, will be on display from March 15 to October 31 at MGM Macau’s Grande Praça.

Artist  launches local partnership in Macau

Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos confirmed yesterday that her foundation would sign a protocol with the House of Portugal (Casa de Portugal) granting Macau residents scholarships and internship opportunities at her studio in Portugal. “We are signing a protocol here so that we can strengthen this relationship and give an opportunity to people in Macau to do an internship at my studio or apply for a scholarship to study visual arts in Portugal,” she revealed.