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MALTATODAY 28 July 2019

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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JULY 2019 5 THIS WEEK ART fragments content and aesthetics of the publica- tion. In a time of increasing censorship through funding bodies, this seemed to be the way to go. Being critical is not al- ways rewarded. Given FRAGMENTA's 'pop-up' nature and its discursive, engaged relationshp with public space in Malta, what will be some of the most important themes and common threads to emerge in the book? What is interesting about Maltese public space is that it is so contested, especially in the past years, with the selling of land on various parts of the is- land, the chopping of trees, the planned construction of a so-called university at Zonqor Point, and the constant re- moval and re-construction of Daphne Caruana Galicia's memorial in public space. Almost every week there is a new shocking news item. At the same time, Maltese public space is very much 'used' by various members of the public, which means that this public space could be a very democratic space where humans of different age groups, backgrounds, and belief systems meet and intermingle. Maltese public space is multi-sited and contradictory, oppressive and liberating, religious and profane, passionate and routine, knowable and unknowable. It is a space of conflicting representations, a hybrid meeting ground. Surprises, love, violence, rules, and anarchy overlap in the public spaces of such a small coun- try like Malta. Such a contested and precious space turns into an active par- ticipant when you do art events in this space... it becomes a life-long learning centre for us early-school-leavers, pro- viding us with possibilities to voice, hear and shape opinions. Placing art events here helps to activate places in new ways, writing other stories onto its skin, mak- ing the unknown appear. Concurrent with statues and some questionable three-dimensional positions in public space, FRAGMENTA seeks to redefine not only what art, but also what humans could do in such a space. Why do we need to apply for a police permit to organise a four-hour art event, while some people take over whole stretches of beaches or public land with campers and BBQ gear and need not apply for anything? Rules determine the use of space. Rules on this archipelago are there to be adhered to sometimes, but mostly they are to be extended and to be bent. Yet rules are rules, and rules are especially valid if you believe they are valid. So, without talking about it, we talk about the intertwined elements of so- cial/ public life, about freedom of ex- pression, about freedom of speech and that we have to fight for it and defend it, especially where it is being cut away at its roots. We talk about life and society and being active participants in society, and we want to improve quality of life, and qualities of critical thinking and a sense of solidarity. Would you say that the book literally 'bookends' at least one era of FRAGMENTA's history? If so, what kind of impression do you hope readers will get out of it? The book sums up one era of FRAG- MENTA's history for sure, but that does not mean that this will be the end of FRAGMENTA. What will readers get out of it…? Maybe the hope that discourse, discussion and exchange is possible? That we can even remain civil and diplomatic while doing it? Hope dies last, they say. Doing and saying are forms of acting in the world, fluidly, rather than being fixed. Meaning is produced neither by the sender nor the receiver. It is more about how we do things than what we do. We intend to create not only ob- jects but situations and encounters. We recognise the importance of question- ing invisible networks of regulations through counter-actions. Even though we are here on these islands at the edge of Europe, they are the centre of our thoughts; a tiny territory, which is being re-imagined, turned into a state of flux, an event-in-process. Our strategies are: Negotiate, discuss, think patiently but urgently, make sur- prise moves, assume responsibility, advocate connective and open thinking while being self-reflective, think about societal problems in a playful way and finally… laugh and love. For more information on the FRAG- MENTA Indiegogo campaign, and to donate, log on to: https://igg.me/at/ fragmentamalta/x/14044741#/ "Maltese public space is so contested, with the selling of land on various parts of the island, the chopping of trees, the planned construction of a so-called university at Zonqor Point, and the constant removal and re-construction of Daphne Caruana Galicia's memorial in public space" PuritytoPerversion A selection of shots from previous FRAGMENTA events, which will be featured in the upcoming FRAGMENTA book Psychoarchaeology_ESmith

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