In March 2025, the Department of Arts and Design at the University of Macau hosted a landmark academic lecture series, advancing its commitment to international collaboration. For the first time, the department invited distinguished guest speakers from Mainland China, Japan, and Spain to share their artistic philosophies and creative experiences with professors, students, and industry professionals. These lectures underscored the convergence of Chinese and global artistic influences while fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The sessions were live-streamed, drawing widespread engagement and stimulating dynamic discussions among participants.
Shiro Matsui: Exploring the Interplay Between Humanity and Space
On March 6, Professor Shiro Matsui from Kyoto City University of Arts delivered an insightful lecture inspired by Zhuangzi: Yingdiwang and its allegory “Drilling Holes in Chaos.” Through an engaging discussion on materiality and scale, he examined the journey toward abstraction depicted in the text.
Professor Matsui’s recent collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) highlights his innovative artistic approach. His project involved cultivating a garden aboard the International Space Station and having astronauts capture the vacuum of space in glass bottles to return to Earth. This experiment poetically reflects the delicate equilibrium between chaos and order, as well as the interplay between the tangible and intangible.
Ma Quan: Art and Design in the Age of Technological Innovation
On March 14, Professor Ma Quan from the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University explored the transformative impact of technology on art and design. He likened technological revolutions to the “eye of a storm”—calm at the center yet possessing immense disruptive potential.
Tracing key technological milestones, from China’s first internet company to the advent of artificial intelligence, Professor Ma analyzed how these shifts redefine the essence of design. He discussed emerging challenges and opportunities in the digital era, addressing creative thinking, human-machine collaboration, and ethical considerations. Drawing from his research and artistic practice, he emphasized the irreplaceable role of human creativity in the AI age and the synergy between artistic ingenuity and technological advancements.
Alejandro Guijarro & Robert Platt: Expanding Artistic Thought Through Multidimensional Perspectives
On March 27, the lecture series concluded with two compelling presentations by Spanish contemporary artist Alejandro Guijarro and Professor Robert Platt from Kyushu Sangyo University, each offering distinct yet complementary perspectives on art and perception.
Alejandro Guijarro: The Ephemeral Mind – The Fragility of Knowledge
Guijarro’s photographic practice bridges the gap between art and science, investigating the relationship between knowledge, memory, and visual representation. His work questions the authority of scientific certainty, emphasizing the subjective nature of interpretation. Through his lens, he invites audiences to reflect on the fleeting and fragmented nature of human understanding in an era of rapid change.
Robert Platt: Primitive, Magical Unity – Art, Embodiment, and Landscape
Professor Platt’s work challenges the boundary between the observer and the observed. Drawing on the theories of Deleuze and Guattari, his approach destabilizes fixed interpretations, creating immersive experiences that encourage fluidity and reinterpretation. His presentation explored how art reshapes perception through movement, memory, and collective experience, ultimately challenging conventional notions of reality.
The success of this lecture series reaffirmed the Department of Arts and Design’s dedication to academic excellence and global artistic exchange. By facilitating intellectually stimulating discussions, faculty and students gained deeper insights into international art trends and diverse creative methodologies. More than a transfer of knowledge, these dialogues fostered critical thinking and cross-disciplinary inspiration, opening new avenues for artistic exploration and collaboration. As the department continues expanding its global engagement, initiatives like this will be instrumental in shaping a dynamic and forward-thinking artistic community.
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