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9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2019 LITERATURE ENVIRONMENT I couldn't resist the 666 connection! But seriously, there is nothing satanic about the devil's coach horse – it is just another beetle, one of at least 2000+ species that inhabit every habitat of our rock. The devil's coach horse is that slim black insect we sometimes spot in our gardens, of- ten skulking around stones and shady damp places like compost heaps, waiting to pounce... not on sinners, but on worms and soft-bodied insect larvae. It has this curious habit of flipping up its back end, scorpion fashion, when- ever it feels threatened. It is this trick that gave it its unu- sually affectionate Maltese name: katarina gholli denbek! It is harmless, by the way. So next time you see one, don't bother reaching for the holy water. Just enjoy the presence of this humble creature, yet another fascinating member of the ecosystem. Text: Victor Falzon Photo: Aron Tanti 666. DEVIL'S COACH HORSE Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 563: Book your seat at: www.foemalta.org/film STUDENTS at the Insti- tute for the Creative Arts at MCAST have created two street art installations as part of the 14th edition of the Mal- ta International Arts Festival (MIAF), produced by Festi- vals Malta. UĊUĦ (FACES) is on show in Marsaxlokk, and Sculptural Performance is on display in Mellieha. The MIAF 2019 will be showcasing an exciting array of local and international tal- ent at different venues across Malta between 28 June and 14 July. Since its first edition in 2005, the MIAF has been cen- tral to the arts scene in Malta and the nurturing of local ar- tistic talent. This year, MIAF's collabo- ration with budding artists at MCAST aims to reach out to new audiences through the installation of public art pro- jects. With the support of the Marsaxlokk and Mellieħa lo- cal councils, the students have created site-specific street art that promotes the MIAF as well as create a dia- logue between the aesthetic attributes of the installation and the surroundings. The initiative was integrated into the BA (Hons) in Fine Art second-year curriculum and has provided the students with the opportunity to ex- perience the local arts scene away from the classroom. "Students presented their concept proposals based on a brief and budget from the MIAF," explains Ruth Ancil- leri, lecturer at MCAST. "The MIAF selected two pitches, and the students, as a class, then refined the ideas and selected the right materi- als for actualising the installa- tions." Set on the beautiful prom- enade in Marsaxlokk, UĊUĦ (FACES) is the mixed-media brainchild of Rachel Bowman, who created her exhibition with fellow students Sabrine Borg, Natalia Camilleri, Mark Micallef and Kimberly Vella. "We explored masks of dif- ferent styles and from differ- ent periods," says Bowman. "As a process, we created clay moulds for some masks, which we then filled with wax. And, at the same time, we fashioned other masks us- ing chicken wire, sacking and plaster." The second installation is Sculptural Performance by Sherese Frendo. "I wanted to show that water is the basis of everything – that is why we're using the fountains in Mel- lieha," explains Frendo. "I combined water with a broader notion of the arts since 'water' is an important theme in this year's edition of the MIAF. I created wire sculptures showing dance, music and so on, placed them in resin spheres, and set them in the middle of the flowing water of the fountains." Frendo created her street art with Sara Barz, Ella Bon- nici Peresso, Ian Camilleri, Matthew Tanti, Jade Zammit, Matthew Thomas Micallef and Matthew Theuma Fonte- brera. Marsaxlokk mayor, Horace Gauci, is thrilled that the lo- cality is forming part of MI- AF 2019 by hosting UĊUĦ. "To use open spaces, such as the Marsaxlokk promenade, for exhibitions that promote the culture of art is a beauti- ful thing, and it enhances the multidimensional identity of Malta," he says. This sentiment is shared by John Buttigieg, mayor of Mel- lieha, who is delighted to have had the opportunity to col- laborate on the production of Sculptural Performance. "On behalf of Mellieha, I would like to thank the MIAF and the talented MCAST stu- dents for this beautiful piece of artwork that they have so successfully brought to frui- tion." The Malta International Arts Festival is being held between 28 June and 14 July. To view the full programme of events and to buy tickets, please visit www.festivals.mt/ miaf. Student street art installations MIAF's collaboration with budding artists at MCAST aims to reach out to new audiences through the installation of public art projects