2013 HKSZ Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture
– Hong Kong – Urban Edge

The tourism and casino business in Macau have been developing vigorously in the recent years. Along with the rapid growth in economy, the society has been transforming from a peaceful small town into an internationally renowned city known for gambling. As many modern high-rises were built, some historic buildings lying on urban edge, i.e. spread around the old parts of the city that were once unique colonial manifestations, have become oblivious and they have descended to signs of history. Their social positions, functions and stories have been weakened and forgotten gradually. After being consciously renovated by Cultural Affairs Bureau, these resurrected historic buildings not only keep their special historic interests but also provide new social space to the community at the same time, reinserting their status into the urban fabric.

This exhibition is a joint venture between Cultural Affairs Bureau and Architects Association of Macau which aims at introducing some selected historic buildings that were once oblivious and are now resurrected after renovation and thus re-activated. Titled “In Search of Oblivions”, the exhibition encourages the audience to explore by themselves. The ceiling space, which is usually a disregarded dimension in terms of displaying area, becomes the major demonstration spot in this exhibition. Since the chosen exhibition site is on the upper floor, the polygonal objects – comprised of periscopes and kaleidoscopes – hanging on the false ceiling may appear strange and attractive to the spectators from downstairs. People can review the images and details of the projects through the viewing windows of the polygonal objects. Each polygonal object is unique and they are placed erratically in order to illustrate the diversity and unexpected paths to find them in Macau.