Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520358
NEWS 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 MAY 2024 HSBC Malta Foundation supports 'Curious Beauty: An Alternative Costume Exhibition' THE HSBC Malta Foundation is de- lighted to be one of the main sponsors supporting 'Curious Beauty: An Alter- native Costume Exhibition' hosted by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti at the historic Palazzo Falson. The exhibition, which opened on April 14 and will run until June 16 2024, show- cases a remarkable collection of historic costumes and accessories presented through contemporary art installations. Under the artistic direction of Caroline Tonna and Francesca Balzan, the exhi- bition provides a unique view of Malta's rich cultural heritage within the walls of the medieval Palazzo Falson. The event is part of HSBC's ongoing commitment to supporting arts and culture in Malta, enriching the commu- nity's engagement with its history and artistic legacy. Geoffrey Fichte, CEO of HSBC Bank Malta, stated, "We are thrilled to sup- port the 'Curious Beauty' exhibition, which not only celebrates Malta's his- torical and artistic richness but also of- fers a creative platform for educational and cultural exchange. This partnership reflects our dedication to the preserva- tion and appreciation of the arts as a vi- tal part of community life." Michael Lowell, CEO of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, commented, "HSBC's support is invaluable in bringing this exhibition to life. 'Curious Beauty' of- fers a fresh perspective on our historical assets, making them accessible and rele- vant to both locals and visitors alike. We are grateful for HSBC's commitment, and our other sponsors, which signifi- cantly enhances our ability to showcase Malta's unique heritage in an engaging way." Visitors can enjoy a range of events, including exclusive tours, workshops for children, and prosecco tours by the ar- tistic directors. These events are designed to deepen the appreciation of the exhibits and of- fer interactive experiences for all ages. Tickets and a schedule of events are available at Palazzo Falson, with ex- tended opening hours to accommodate interest. Booking for specific events is essential. The 'Curious Beauty' exhibition... not only celebrates Malta's historical and artistic richness but also offers a creative platform for educational and cultural exchange ON 4 May, LuginsLand of Art invited an audience to the dis- cussion panel 'Art & Conserva- tion' as part of its educational programme. The session provid- ed insights on the principles of art conservation and meticulous techniques applied to safeguard the artworks at the villa from de- terioration. Facilitated by Cultural Man- ager of LuginsLand of Art, Ma- ria Galea, the panel featured renowned art conservators from Poland and Malta. The panel started with the presentation by Pierre Bugeja, senior Conservator at PrevArti who shared with the audience the insights on the conser- vation process applied to the interior of the villa, including polychrome paintings by Gi- useppe Cali. Professor Iwona Szmelter, Polish art conservator and transdisciplinary researcher provided a short brief of the history of art conservation and shed light on the interdiscipli- nary nature of conservation practice. She pointed out the impor- tance of art conservation in preserving cultural heritage and touched upon the notion of art in the contemporary dig- ital era. Dr Maciej Baran, art conser- vator and art historian shared the insights of the OmenaArt Foundation's project - restora- tion process at North Gallery in Wilanów Palace, Warsaw, which is one of the most signifi- cant historical sites in Poland. Last but not least, James Li- cari from the Malta Associa- tion of Professional Conserva- tors and Restorers explained the process of the restoration of terracotta sculptures at the Villa and the elements of the research included in this pro- cess. During the session, the partic- ipants had also an opportunity to experience a live demonstra- tion of metal and stone works by AX Group, as well witness the artistic process of Maltese artist Antoine Farrugia creat- ing site-specific sculpture in the garden of the Villa. What is more, the visitors took part in the curatorial tour of the current site specific col- lective exhibition 'Space & Time', curated by a renowned Slovak set designer, Boris Kud- lička, which features the works of esteemed Maltese and Polish artists. The exhibition is also available to view outside of the Educational Programme, on selected days in May. Online registration through LuginsLand of Art website or social media channels is re- quired. LuginsLand of Art delves into world of art and conservation