A metaphysical thread for the works of 4 artists: Maxine Attard, Charlie Cauchi, Roxman Romeo Gatt and Duška Malešević
Wednesday 21 December 2022 at 12:19 pm
In her press release for “AWOL” the gallery’s first group show at R Gallery, in Sliema, Malta, one of the curators Helena Staelens provides us with a clue to the title AWOL, absent from where one should be; a void or missing relationship she sees between various forms of art. This group exhibition featured an assemblage of works by Maxine Attard, Charlie Cauchi, Roxman Romeo Gatt and Duška Malešević.
R Gallery Malta Exhibition Awol, A metaphysical thread for the works of 4 artists Maxine Attard, Charlie Cauchi, Roxman Romeo Gatt and Duška Maleševic
I’ve seen the works when visited the event where artists spoke about their practice and body of work presented in this show. This gathering was skillfully moderated by Sam Vassallo, where the public was invited to an evening of artistic discussions.
The red sofa that greet the viewer upon entry was the center stage for the discourses about absence. Metaphysically transcending each personal artistic story to “AWOL” or a Void. “In the physical experience it can allude to a subject that is not visible or tangible, yet still present. In a nostalgic sense, it connects as something that has faded, disappeared or is lost in time, kept alive in the residues of personal and collective memory. In a framework of the corporeal, bodily transformation simultaneously fills and creates absence in the material world, often defying social approval and norms.” The exhibition story board narrates.
The open call to participate was available on Blitz’s website and social media.
The event featured participants of every age and background, artists from disciplines as diverse as Pop music, Opera, Tango, Capoeira, Breakdance, Ballet, Gymnastics, etc.
Natasa Pantovic dancing through Vallletta Blitz
On the 30th of June 2022, Zebbug B.P. Band set the rhythm as passers-by were invited to join the dancers procession. THe message was to re-gain our public spaces, celebrating life, in a rebirth of community making.
Find Nataša dancing in red, with Ema Pantovic singing on the Casino's balcony with a dear friend Sabina playing instruments 4 Daphnie (killed journalist)
2022 BLITZ VALLETTA and MARINELLA SENATORE’S SCHOOL OF NARRATIVE DANCE, Malta video
by @saradolfiagostini
SOMETHING ABOUT YOU Exibition was held at Blitz Valletta, curated by Sara Dolfi Agostini and featuring a newly developed artwork from the School of Narrative Dance performance held in Republic Street Valletta.
Even though an opera is a theatrical form expressed within the theatre environment for centuries, the opera film is a rather new form of art. Until recently, the opera's composer would be passing his instructions to the cast. There was only one Carmen, or one Magic Flute. However, not that long ago, the stage director became increasingly important. With the introduction of an Opera Film, the opera world has become an increasingly complex art form.
To enjoy it, the audience must recognize opera as a multidimensional art performed by singers not actors. The director must remain true to the work, to the composer and the musical language used. This is a three-dimensional art not attempted by many.
Directing an opera film, the director must show the full appreciation for the talents, principal singers, dancers, chorus and stay true to the visuals. We find that not only the stories, but the music and the very form itself has to be reinvented.
It perhaps takes a special kind of courage to perform at Malta’s National Theatre, Manuel Theatre, built in 1731 by the Knights of St. John, in one of the oldest working theatres in Europe, as a young 18-25 year old artist staging a Maltese production. There they are, handling a space and expectation of audience that has seen arguably the greatest shows of Malta, but still working with amazing 'but we think we can make an extraordinary piece of music theatre...’
Manuel Theatre 9th April 2022 Dancers Opera Ciklu, Photography by Karl & Camille Fenech
Introducing tales from 21st Century women, set to lyrics, music and dance highlighted contemporary social issues. Without using the obvious, subtly but significantly tweaking the story interpretation, reunited with the nuclear family in the production. Led by their teacher’s motto: “There is nothing more beautiful than giving your soul to the audience:” the performers were able to zoom in and out and tell a bigger story of individuals and about community
We were invited to join a 70 minute journey through various life struggles as the young cast of opera singers and dancers experimented with contemporary youth opera and dance, inviting the audience to join the conversation.
As ancient worlds consciousness researcher, Serbian/Maltese author and businesswoman Natasa Pantovic and I sat knee to knee from one another, she spoke proudly to me of her several accomplishments throughout her life.
Since I had previously researched that she had written up to ten books as an author, several of which had taken years to write, I began with my first question:
“I researched that you’re an author that has written up to ten books within your career, this doesn’t sound like much of an overnight process, so how many years did it take you to write them, and when did you begin?”
“It is a lifetime Journey isn’t it?”
She answered, laughing gently before continuing. “I have published my very first book in 1993 in Serbia, a very long time ago, I’m actually at the moment fifty four years old, so I had a huge amount of years to do all of this.”
