Adorning the Wynn Macau Lakeside Promenade, a mesmerising sculpture, drawing inspiration from Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, was revealed earlier this month. Etherea, the brainchild of renowned Italian artist Edoardo Tresoldi, beckons visitors to immerse themselves in a profound and poetic discourse on art, humanity, and the urban milieu.
This unveiling stands as one of the most recent initiatives by Wynn Macau, the integrated resort developer, aimed at enhancing and championing the city’s cultural and artistic tourism. “By bringing internationally renowned works of art to Macau, Wynn supports the development of high-quality tourism that will drive the expansion of the overseas tourism market into Macau,” the operator remarked in a press statement.
Edoardo Tresoldi, an artist and sculptor of international acclaim, is celebrated for his monumental works crafted from wire mesh and industrial materials. His creations transcend spatial and temporal constraints, blurring the lines between art and reality, resulting in a visual synthesis that defies physical limitations.
“This time in Macau, I’ve played more with the composition of lighting,” he shares. “During the nighttime, a lot of elements of the city come alive and create a lot of shapes, so I’ve started to compose the lighting in relation to the environment.”
“I mostly work with natural environments, so the urban landscape this time is very
interesting,” the artist adds. “It’s so much fun to play withlights.”
This time, Tresoldi brings Etherea to the city, an artwork initially conceived for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the United States back in 2018. Standing at an impressive 10 meters and showcasing the interplay of transparent wire mesh, the installation has previously graced the cityscape of Rome, Italy.
Tresoldi remarks that he reimagines his installations to fit into different settings each time they are staged in various locations. Regarding his approach to remodelling the work for the Macau showcase, the artist highlights that the urban landscape and light scape of Wynn Macau Lakeside Promenade on the Macau Peninsula have captured his attention.
Acknowledging his affinity for working with natural surroundings, Tresoldi finds the urban landscape of Macau particularly intriguing this time. “It’s a delightful experience to play with lights,” he adds.
Interaction with the environment
Recipient of the Gold Medal for Italian Architecture and recognised as one of Forbes’ 30 most influential European artists under 30 in 2017, Tresoldi is also no stranger to Macau’s art scene. His other installation, Sacral, was featured at the “Wynn – Garden of Earthly Delights” art exhibition held at Wynn Palace in 2019.
Reflecting on the differences between the two showcases in Macau, Tresoldi notes that the previous display was indoors, while the current one takes place outdoors. “I usually work on outdoor projects because the language of my art is to interact with the landscape,” he indicates. “I’m looking for the movement of lights, the changes of the weather, and the dynamics in public spaces.”
Expressing his love for Macau’s diverse architecture, Tresoldi shares his fondness for the city’s historical district. “I really like the historical part of the city,” he says. “I’m very happy to have this installation play with the interaction between classic architecture and the urban landscape of Macau.”
*This article is part of the MNA Wynn Macau Tourism Plus Partnership Series