The POLY MGM MUSEUM, a visionary collaboration between Poly Culture Group and MGM, seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology into cultural heritage exhibitions. Utilizing advanced technological methods to bridge the gap between culture, art, and audiences, it is pioneering new paths for high-quality development in the cultural heritage field and the inheritance of Chinese culture. Since its official opening last November, the museum has sparked widespread discussion on the powerful synergy between technology and culture.

On January 10, under the guidance of the Art Exhibitions China, Poly Culture and MGM held a Museums Exchange Program – the “Cultural Inheritance Through Technology” Symposium. As part of the inaugural series of events, the Museum invited representatives from China’s national museums and arts and cultural organizations to explore in-depth topics such as how technology can break the boundaries between culture, art, and audiences and how to form historical awareness and cultural identity through audience interaction.

The symposium attracted nearly 150 participants from Macau, Hong Kong and Mainland China, including members from technology, art, culture, and history-related associations, scholars, students, and cultural heritage experts. The insightful opinions of the experts and scholars inspired deep reflection on related issues among the attendees, jointly exploring more possibilities for the organic integration of technology and culture.

Kenneth Feng, President and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited, stated that the POLY MGM MUSEUM uses cutting-edge technology to bring visitors a full-sensory art and cultural experience. The museum currently receives up to 7,000 visitors per day. As one of the opening activities of the inaugural exhibition, the symposium fully utilized its powerful network to promote technological innovation and cultural inheritance. It also deepened its role as a bridge for cultural exchanges between the mainland and the Greater Bay Area. Close cooperation among museums has laid a solid foundation, and together with all sectors of society, the POLY MGM MUSEUM will more effectively promote the creative transformation of China’s excellent culture.

Subsequently, representatives of cultural heritage institutions, including Sun Xiaobing, Deputy Director of Art Exhibitions China; Xu Bei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and Director of Poly Culture, Director of Board Committee, POLY MGM MUSEUM; Xin Lixue, Director of China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea; Ma Xiaona, Associate Professor, School of New Media Art and Design, Beihang University; and Sit Kai Sin, Director of the Maritime Museum Macao, shared their insights on related topics.

Sun Xiaobing pointed out that traditional physical exhibitions can no longer meet the modern audience’s expectation for a deeper interpretation of culture. Technologies such as light and shadow, VR, and AR, along with integrated media dissemination, have created more opportunities for the protection and utilization of cultural relics, as well as the protection and transmission of cultural heritage. These technologies have enriched and expanded the methods of cultural dissemination, as showcased in the inaugural exhibition of POLY MGM MUSEUM. Sun highlighted that technological interaction can break the limitations of time and space, allowing audiences to explore and feel the allure of cultures more proactively. Additionally, digital technology empowers the revitalization and utilization of cultural heritage, enabling the public to deeply appreciate the profound appeal of excellent traditional Chinese culture from new perspectives and dimensions.

Xin Lixue believes that digitalization is not only a general trend of global development but also brings new impetus to the high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry. Serving as crucial carriers of cultural inheritance and continuation, museums can, with the help of digital technology, present a more authentic, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China to the world. As an important platform for cultural exchange on the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”, the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea has integrated exploration, innovation, and implementation into its mission of “making full use of modern digital technology to tell China’s stories well” through the “innovation-driven development” strategy. By incorporating modern scientific and technological methods into cultural and museum work, he pointed out that these initiatives can help audiences build awareness of cultural heritage and enhance their recognition of Chinese civilization.

Xu Bei mentioned the concept of “culture as the body, technology as the means”, which has been incorporated into the POLY MGM MUSEUM. He elaborated on the exploration and practice of empowering cultural inheritance with technology in several ways. Firstly, by reimagining the exhibition space with technological equipment to create a “new scenario” with technology. Secondly, by enriching exhibition forms with technological services and refining interactive “new methods”. Lastly, by optimizing the audience experience with technological services, to cater the “new demands” of the audience. He particularly emphasized the use of the four OLED transparent interactive display cabinets with Poly’s proprietary intellectual property rights, which help to classify and relate comprehensive knowledge of cultural, social, and historical backgrounds centered on the display of cultural relics. This makes them “touchable”, “interactive”, and “communicative”.

Ma Xiaona shared examples of exploring the revitalization of cultural relics and history through multi-sensory museum experiences aided by technology, starting from the connotation of cultural relics. She also discussed how to continuously balance the relationship between technology and cultural narratives in practice.

Sit Kai Sin’s sharing session focused on Macau’s important intersection on the Maritime Silk Road and the integration of Chinese and Western shipbuilding techniques. He highlighted that the application of technology is key to presenting shipbuilding techniques and structures three-dimensionally to the audience.

This symposium was jointly organized by MGM and Poly Culture Group. It was guided by the China Cultural Relics Exchange Center and hosted by the Poly MGM Museum, Beijing Poly Art Center Co. Ltd., and Shenzhen Poly Cultural Development Co. Ltd.

###

About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in Greater China. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. The POLY MGM MUSEUM spanning almost 2,000 square meters, is constructed in accordance with Chinese national standards for the exhibition of Grade-One cultural relics. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities also include conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, MGM COTAI offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings, food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience.  MGM has joined hands with renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou to set up the “Macau 2049” residency in MGM Theater. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the only mega complex and hotel in Macau to gain three-star certification in both Green Building Design and Operation Label, as well as the first hotel in the Greater Bay Area and second in Greater China to receive the certifications.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, ARIA, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Executive Director of Public Relations

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3412

Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Senior Corporate Relations Manager

MGM

Tel: (853) 8806 3421

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo