Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1174220
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 OCTOBER 2019 5 THIS WEEK ART populism in Europe)? There are so many things going on in Europe at the mo- ment that – I think – would have been seen as bizarre a few years ago, but are now seen as quite normal. Grand Hotel Europa engages with this reality, through criti- cism, satire, and, paradoxi- cally, through a kind of nos- talgia. The project is quite multi-disciplinary – its use of collage gives it a graphic and immediate feel. The image of the 'faceless politician' is simple, but striking, and the hotel, too, has 'disappeared' leaving only an empty space behind it. What do you make of the local visual arts scene? What would you change about it? Well, I think this question can be difficult to answer, be- cause like all countries, Malta doesn't have a homogenous art scene. I do think that it's easy to criticise and discount some really interesting work that's going on. But at the same time, I think it's im- portant to acknowledge any shortfall or lacunae and at- tempt to address them. As I said above, the great thing about working in an independent organisation, is that we are flexible and can afford to take risks. We're open to collaborations and experimental projects, and I think there is a thirst for that kind of work in Malta. I enjoyed the recent exhibi- tion Ħudha, that was a week- long independently produced show, set up quite spontane- ously at Splendid. At the same time, spaces like Blitz and Val- letta Contemporary are ma- turing, and producing some really interesting exhibitions. What's next for you? I've got so much going on at the moment, I don't know where to start! As an artist, I'm showing work in an ex- hibition at the University of Malta, Hors Concours in No- vember, curated by Raphael Vella. As a curator, I'm work- ing on an exhibition at Casino Notabile also in November, called Hackable Animals, with artists Elisa von Brock- dorff, Ryan Falzon, Charlene Galea, Tom van Malderen and Letta Shtohryn. Through Unfinished Art Space, I'm really enjoying a collaboration with Nicole Bearman of We Are Here, to bring Berlin-based curator and writer An Paenhuysen to Malta for a creative critical writing workshop at the end of November. And I'm look- ing forward to collaborations with Letta Shtohryn of What Do We Do Now? soon to be launching a podcast series. There's more, but I guess that's enough for now! Grand Hotel Europa (part three) by Alex Urso and curated by Margerita Pulè is at Studio 87 in Valletta, from October 10 to 17. It is sup- ported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Valletta in the context of Giornata del Contemporaneo, and Fair- winds Management, and is produced by Unfinished Art Space "The imagery of the hotel is a strong symbol of a Europe that perhaps does not still hold the qualities that it once stood for or attempted to achieve; like stability, safety, and even a sense of elegance"