Preface

Not all of the natural phenomena and laws of the universe before us are understandable to us. When it comes to the growth of all things, the replacement of the sun and the moon, the vibration of the earth’s crust, the thunder of lightning, the pouring of rain… and even the illnesses of the body and setbacks encountered, we are accustomed to using our own experience to explain them and to summarize the laws. By doing this, we are trying to leave a shimmer of light to illuminate bit by bit this vast universe throughout our limited life for future generations. Individuals, though as small as dust, have strong desire for knowledge and rich imagination. Rooted in different stages of time backgrounds and human development, various colorful myths and legends are born.

“Sixteen feet in length, with a golden ring on the head, three heads, nine eyes and eight arms, feet on a rock, holding the universe ring, when shouting, downpour follows and the universe shakes.” Na Tcha, a figure in Chinese myths and legends, was originally the guardian deity of Buddhism and originated from Indian Buddhist legends. Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs has gradually been integrated into traditional Chinese folk beliefs and eventually Na Tcha evolved into a god in Chinese Taoism.

In the more opaque era, people are more inclined to place their wishes on the ancient “deities” with mysterious power, and endow them with lifelike images and abilities. Dressed in a red apron, wearing a red armillary sash, holding a fire-pointed spear and the universe ring, Na Tcha, stepping on wind fire wheels, always appears in the image of a youth. As his supernatural power is boundless, people often turn to Na Tcha when encountering plagues, children getting sick, or exorcising evil spirits. Therefore, Na Tcha has become one of the protection deities for children and in folk beliefs.

The legend of this protection deity has continued quietly for hundreds of years in the small city of Macao. The customs and beliefs have been passed down to this day, still full of vigor. Legend has it that at the end of the 19th century, many people died of the then prevalent plague. A devout believer dreamed of a youth stepping on wind fire wheels casting spells toward the stream on Monte Fort. The residents believed that it was Na Tcha’s appearance, so they all took the stream to drink ( believing the water could cure the disease). As expected, the plague was eliminated. Later the Na Tcha Temple was built for people to worship the deity beside the Ruins of St. Paul. Now the Ruins of St. Paul of Catholicism, and the Na Tcha Temple of Taoist culture, stand next to each other. The deities from two different cultural systems meet every day, reflecting the co-existence and co-prosperity of Chinese and Western culture in Macao, which is a rare spectacle.

By looking at the deeds of ancient myths and having a glimpse of the simple and beautiful wishes of our ancestors when facing the unknown, the cultural cohesion brought by this primitive sustenance can be felt. Today, in the era of global epidemic, our steps are disrupted by impermanence. According to legend, Na Tcha often appears in the form of a youth with boundless supernatural power, but meanwhile still shows characteristics of innocence, loveliness, and liveliness. This year the theme of the Competition is Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs of Macao. We hope that through the fantasy of ancient myths, we can face the challenges brought by the epidemic with beautiful envision and always keep our natural kindness. With the wish of safety, elimination of disasters and diseases, let us take care of each other and become each other’s protection deity.

Photos about Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs of Macao: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o861jfdxk7urarj/AABD7EJbbxSttzIm0Zrpgy6la?dl=0

 

Regulations

  • Theme: Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs of Macao
    • Historical background and legends of Na Tcha and Na Tcha Temple
    • Customs and rituals related to Na Tcha: the celebration of the deity’s birthday, parade, piaose, printing protective talisman, the game of fire cracker ball, praying for Na Tcha seal, rice distribution and opera performance for deities, etc.
    • ＊Drawing on the elements of Na Tcha Customs and Beliefs of Macao,  creations used in illustration, such as images and patterns, can be used to extend and recreate traditional culture hence transforming the folk religious culture deeply rooted in the community into cultural tourism resources with unique regional characteristics.
  • Deadline: May 30th 2022
  • Types of works: Graphic illustrations (without restriction on media)
  • Eligibility: Open to artists/designers from all over the world
  • Entry fees: Free of charge
  • Exhibition time: July 19th to July 25th 2022
  • Venue: Chun Chou Tong Pavilion of Lou Lim Ioc Park, Macao
  • Curator: Zhang Yulian
  • Schedule:
    • No.DateSchedule
      1May 30th 2022 Collection deadline
      2June 1st -7th 2022 Preliminary selection
      3June 8th -11th 2022 Final selection
      4June 13th 2022 Releasing Shortlisted & Winners
      5June 13th-July 13th 2022 Physical work production
      6July 19th -25th 2022 First round of the Exhibition
  • Awards:
    • No.GroupAwardsQuota
      1Specially Invited GroupCertificate for Specially Invited Artist50
      2Public GroupGold Award1
      3Public GroupSilver Award

      		1
      4Public GroupBronze Award1
      5Public GroupJury Award4
      6Public GroupFinalist Award20
      7Public GroupOutstanding Organization Award
      (the number of entries)      		unlimited
    • Notes
      • A certificate will be issued to each award winner and works selected will be on itinerant exhibition.
      • Production arrangements could be made for excellent works to be transformed into physical products.
  • Work submission:
  • Work requirements:
    • E-file of the work:
      • 100 * 70cm, PDF / JPG, 300dpi, CMYK
      • Editable files (vector images, PSD layered images, etc.)
    • For artist who submits his/her work by e-mail, please also attach one completed application form.
    • One personal profile: 10 * 10cm, JPG, 300dpi, RGB
  • Notice:
    • The Third Heartbeat of Macao Community Tour Creative Competition (hereinafter referred to as the Competition) accepts online registration and application. Once the applicant submits his/her online application successfully, he/she shall under the terms of not charging any fees give authorization to Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association to use the entry submitted for relevant promotion, exhibitions and other activities as well as for publicity on various media and prints.
    • Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association reserves the final right of decision of issues related to text editing, picture placement, page allocation, cutting, type setting and format, etc.
    • All entries must not contain pornography, violence, slander and other content that violates public order and social ethics.
    • The applicant must confirm and guarantee that the owner of the entry or the one who has obtained the right of the entry authorizes all rights to Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association, including but not limited to copyright, design right and all other rights of the entry, and the related intellectual property rights of the entry.

＊Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association reserves the right of interpretation and final decision of this event.

  • The organizer: Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association
  • Subsidizing entity: Macao Government Tourism Office
  • Co-organizer: C P Art Projects Development Company Limited
  • School support: Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, Student Affairs Section of City University of Macau
  • Association support: Luoyang Artists Association, Zhaoqing Illustration Association
  • Submission platform cooperation: GTN9
  • Contact Info.:
    • Email: ccipa_mo@ymail.com
    • FB: 中華文化產業促進會 Chinese Cultural Industries Promotion Association
    • IG: ccipa2020

Photos of Exhibition 2021