Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1197486
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JANUARY 2020 5 THIS WEEK ART between marketing, and economic conveni- ence. What do you make of the local visual arts scene? What are some of the main challenges that local artists face, and how would you go about changing the current scenario to make it easier for contemporary art in Malta to flourish? The local visual art scene is truly vi- brant and healthy, and Blitz's activi- ties have been very well attended – all of them, from exhibitions, to talks, performances and children's work- shops. They have also been featured in local and international media – Artforum, Folha de S.Paulo, Flash Art International, Mousse Magazine, Weltkunst, Abitare, to name a few – and this is yet another sign that what we do is considered relevant by both art lovers and the professional au- dience alike. So, I believe our main challenges are actually the same that artists face. We have the potential but we often lack the means. As Blitz keeps growing and becom- ing an international contemporary art centre worthy of carrying the Maltese flag at home and abroad, public funding shrank, in an inexpli- cable turn of events. We are aware that opportunities should be there for everybody, including newcomers; however, an institution such as Blitz that has been pivotal to the develop- ment of the local art scene should be recognised in some sustainable manner especially since independent non-profit institutions cannot sur- vive solely on private funding. Sometimes it feels as though qual- ity is overpowered by other forces, as happened with the selection of Mal- ta's Venice Biennale 2019 project, as recounted by the media. My hope is these regressive forces will be reined in by the future government. In the meantime, we have just launched a new Patron's Programme for corpo- rate entities, offering a series of excit- ing benefits for art lovers starting at €950 a year, as well as an Art Adviso- ry Service. There is no local circuit of commercial galleries for local artists, and we hope that you would become part of our effort to support the pro- duction, education, and promotion of their practice. We firmly believe it is time for our spaces – homes, offices and public areas – to speak for who we are today and be inspired by our present times. MoMA in New York did something similar with the Art Advisory Service in 1964 to incen- tivise a community of collectors who only bought antiques. It remained ac- tive until 1996! What's next for Blitz? We will be very busy, as usual. In the first semester of 2020, Blitz will present two of its most ambitious projects to date, both performative in nature. The first is The Journey by artist Rossella Biscotti, which we first introduced in her solo show Three Works and A Script. The Journey (2016-ongoing) is a maritime opera of a ship navigating a route inspired by time, history and current data re- searched in collaboration with dif- ferent experts and communities. The narrative is centered on the decision and consequences of dropping a 20- ton Carrara marble block into the international waters of the Central Mediterranean Sea, with the multi- tude of different territories it tangles with during the process. We are proud to say we will be pro- ducing this project together with the Kunsten Festival des Arts (KFDA) in Brussels, with the essential col- laboration of the University of Mal- ta, Port Logistics Operations, Malta Maritime Pilots, Maritime MT, and many others. The second will be a performance and solo show by artist Marinella Senatore. Over the years, Senatore has gained international recognition by experi- menting with formats ranging from radio broadcasts and street festivals to processions with thousands of participants. In projects such as The Parade and The School of Narrative Dance at Guggenheim (Venice), Cen- tre Pompidou (Paris) and Hayward Gallery (London), personal stories and common goods collapse into one multi-layered narrative that aims at reuniting the individual and the col- lective. Senatore will present a new performance in Republic Street and everyone is invited to participate. More is on the way soon, and people can stay updated through our news- letter at thisisblitz.com. Isn't Life Under the Sun Just a Dream by Tobias Zielony will remain on display at Blitz, St Lucy Street, Valletta until February 29. Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday, 2.30pm– 6.30pm; Saturday, 10am–1pm "As the narrator toggles between media news of alleged corruption surrounding the killing of Daphne Caruana Galizia – the bomb that killed her was detonated from the Grand Harbour – and existential questions embedding a wistful lyricism into hard facts, the darkness swallows everything except the distant quivering lights of the ships" Ricky (Malta series; 2019)