Building the 20th Century: Oseo Acconci – 2023.12.06

The DOCOMOMO Macau Research Center is delighted to invite you to the lecture “Building the 20th Century – An Italian in Macau: Oseo Acconci and his Architecture in the 1950s and 1960s” presented by Jane Lei. Join us on December 6th at 18:30, hosted at the Rui Cunha Foundation, located at 749 Avenida da Praia Grande, GF, Macau.

Jane Lei, a Ph.D. graduate from Macao University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Fine Arts, conducted a groundbreaking research project on the overlooked art history of Macau from the 1950s to the 1980s, centering on Oseo Acconci and his era. Her work focuses into crucial issues such as Macau urban change, its history and the marginalised communities. Engaging in various roles from curator and artist to running an independent bookstore, Lei was also a founding member of the Stone Commune and the Art Space of Old Ladies House – later known as the Ox Warehouse – and is presently a freelance artist and recently established Lighthouse Publishing Co., Ltd., focusing on the publication and distribution of humanities and arts books.

The lecture “Building the 20th Century – An Italian in Macau: Oseo Acconci and his Architecture in the 1950s and 1960s” delves into the multifaceted artistic contributions of Oseo Acconci, an Italian artist who arrived in Macau in the early twentieth century and left an indelible mark on the city’s artistic and architectural landscape. Focusing on the dynamic periods of the 1950s and 1960s, which proved to be the zenith of Acconci’s career, the discussion navigates through his roles as a sculptor, painter, architect, and contractor, emphasising the rarity of such diversity within Macau’s art history.

Oseo Acconci’s legacy manifests in a spectrum of works, spanning sculptures, murals, and architectural designs, providing a distinctive reference point and context in the annals of Macau’s art history. Notably, his creations during the post-war urban development era embody the spirit of craftsmanship and innovation, leaving an enduring impact on the evolving urban landscape.

Despite his pivotal role in public works projects, including iconic structures like the the Leal Senado Square Fountain, police and civil servants’ quarters along with many other government buildings, Acconci remains comparatively obscured in the shadows of his contemporaries. This presentation seeks to resurrect his legacy by shedding light on the architectural prowess embedded in his creations and their modernist qualities as well as the cultural significance of his works, which have shaped Macau’s urban development and left an indelible mark on the city’s history.

The lecture underscores the challenges of documenting Acconci’s contributions due to the lack of comprehensive records and the controversial or destroyed nature of some of his works in recent years. By addressing these gaps in the historical narrative, the presentation aims to offer a nuanced understanding of Oseo Acconci’s influence on Macau’s artistic and architectural heritage, enriching the discourse on the city’s cultural evolution.

This captivating event is part of the “Building the 20th Century” lecture series, organised by DOCOMOMO Macau. The series began last year with the Chui Tai Kei Lecture, followed by this year’s “José Maneiras: The architect’s insight.” and “Raúl Chorão Ramalho and the Pedro Nolasco School: Synthesis of a Universal Work with Cultural Memory”. We eagerly anticipate your attendance.