Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1513303
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 DECEMBER 2023 6 ALMANAC My essentials RYAN FALZON 35, visual artist, author, educator I have been working in the visual arts for over a decade, and my first novel, SAJF, was published in 2022. My works reflect duality, social and environmental issues, interpersonal interactions, and human conditions. My visual practice is an exploration of the boundaries between representation and abstraction, the sacred and the profane, the personal and the political. 4 5 1. Book 2. Film Internet / TV 4. Music 5. Place I faithfully follow art critic Jerry Saltz and several art- ists such as Tracey Emin and Matthew Collings, as well as art institutions like TATE, Gagosian, and Berlinische Galerie. I also adore the subliminal, off- beat, campy charm of Toi- letpaper magazine. Just like Maltese television, I find most self-proclaimed influ- encers cheesy, often trashy, and most times, a bit sad, yet they remain an infinite source of observation and inspiration. NOW this is difficult. As the delayed cold season is creep- ing in, I am listening to Molly Nillson, a recurrent favourite. I find her introspective lyrics and dreamlike sounds very painterly, alluding heavy tones of grey. Looking back at this year, a staple has been Italian hip hop, mainly from Rome and Naples. Fresh sounds and experiments are coming out of the regions, true to the grit as- sociated with subcultures and underground movements. One is also to mention local art- ists such as Hearts Beating in Time, Michael Azzopardi and Kym Pepe. MY first go-to destination is always Berlin. I love the city—the people, the deca- dence, the arts, the openness. I feel at home there, but not in winter. I cannot live under grey skies with no sun for too long. ONE of the recent books I read that truly resonated with me was "Mal' Uocchiu" by Sam Mi- gliore. The book delves into the concept of the evil eye as a social construct based on individual perspectives and situations. The narrative struck a chord with me, drawing parallels between the shared experiences of island insularity and geographic posi- tioning. As well, the symbolism discussed aligns perfectly with my current research about an up- coming visual project. I am not big on films, and I have this habit of rewatch- ing the same series and films while painting. My go-to are mainly Italian RAI crime documentaries, and series such as Gomor- rah. I recently rewatched 'Call me by Your Name'. The cinematography is beautiful and keeps on giving. For me, the film of the year was E stata la ma- no di Dio, which alongside La Grande Bellezza and Il Divo, remains a favourite from the director Paolo Sorrentino. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 1 This article is supported by Arts Council Malta 3 2