Cultural Affairs Bureau
With the theme “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.” this year’s Venice International Architecture Biennale is a profound reflection on architecture’s role in globalization. The urban fabric of Macao presents a complex “cultural landscape,” where historical buildings and modern urban spaces create a parallel narrative of time and space. Here, tradition and modernity coexist while also engaging in dialogue and interaction, forming a unique urban realm that responds to the theme of this Biennale.
For this year’s edition, we have the distinct honor of having internationally renowned architects Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu as our curators. Their unique perspective will transform the multiple facets of Macao’s cityscape into a poetic architectural narrative. They divide Macao into four “parallel worlds”: the depth of the historical town; the symbolic meanings of casino architecture that blends East and West; the geometric order of the modern city; and the future projection of a digital, intangible city. These four parallel worlds resemble four mirror images, reflecting the ways in which Macao maintains the foundations of its culture in the waves of globalization while embracing the future with an open attitude.
Among the exhibited works, renowned architectural photographer Iwan Baan captures pieces of memories and the contemporary vitality of Macao’s urban spaces through his highly narrative imagery. Furthermore, architecture students and professors from the China Academy of Art and the University of Saint Joseph in Macao have transformed their academic ideas into spatial experiences that actively engage in dialogue with the audience through installations.
Macao is a model of harmonious coexistence and the integrated development of different civilizations, boasting a unique cultural advantage that blends both Eastern and Western influences – making the city a platform for promoting international cultural exchanges, narrating compelling Chinese stories, and facilitating mutual learning between Chinese and Western civilizations. Participation in the Venice International Architecture Biennale demonstrates Macao’s commitment to this cultural mission on an international stage.
This exhibition from Macao weaves cultural memories and imagination of the future into a dynamic spatial narrative, allowing audiences to re-examine the relationship between architecture and culture at the interstices of history and modernity. We believe that under the curation of Wang Shu and Lu Wenyu, and with the collaborative efforts of Iwan Baan and architectural teams from both regions, this exhibition will deliver another brilliant interpretation of multicultural integration for the Biennale, further highlighting Macao’s role as a bridge between cultures and enhancing the brand of the international city of “Macao, China.”
I would like to extend my best wishes for the successful participation of Macao, China at the Venice International Architecture Biennale 2025. I look forward to seeing Macao radiate even more brightly internationally, showcasing its diverse architectural wisdom and cultural narratives.
Deland, Leong Wai Man
President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government