Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1517228
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 10 MARCH 2024 4 ALMANAC My essentials DAVE CALLEJA 44-year-old artist From a young age, down in my basement, I always had an urge to create things, whether it was something to play with or to use at home. I remember well those long summer days, full of energy, in the afternoon, doing imaginary creations out of cardboard wood and whatever was available. Later, I took a particular interest in metal fabrication and started experimenting with figures. One of the first creations I did was an elephant for my wife, and from then on, my artworks evolved, and never looked back, having found my muse. 4 5 1. Book 2. Film 3. Internet / TV 4. Music 5. Place I make it a point to limit my time on both the internet and television - to be honest, I am not a fan of either of them. Yet for the sake of relaxing after a day's work, sometimes I do end up watching a Discovery TV series which would probably be about sea or nature, or a travel documentary. The internet is my main source of news, daily info, and all the upcoming events. I have a diverse taste in music, and my preferences vary with my mood. I'm drawn to less main- stream genres, including rock, al- ternative, country, and electronic music. The main things I look for in a song are the lyrics as well as the rhythm. Lately, I have been listening to Echo and the Bunny Man – The Killing Moon, as it recounts everything from birth to death to eternity and God and the eternal battle between faith and human will. I visited the Ionian Is- lands more than once and every time I go, I fall deeper in love with this place. The scenery and calm sea are rem- iniscent of living in the 1980s and the islanders there, are still laid back and living a worry-free, humble, and simple life. I can't get enough of the emotions that this place generates in me. THE Secret Life Of Salva- tore Dali. I chose this book as this is an autobiography of the renowned surrealist art- ist. It covers his early family history, his early life, and his early works up to the 1930s. It recalls his life as a child in a small village in Spain and the progress of his artistic jour- ney. I1 love this book because surrealism is my favourite kind of art and Dali is one of the greatest in the surrealist movement. ALL Is Lost is a story of a solo voyager on a yacht, which at night collides with a drifting shipping container. Robert Redford, the actor struggles with the open sea, and the fight to survive from a sure death. The movie makes one reflect on our collective daily struggles in life. It makes us realise how life can be calm one moment and crazy the next. Being a sea lover myself, today I appreciate everything and everyone even more. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 1 This page is supported by Arts Council Malta 2 3