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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 MARCH 2025 2 ART Exhibition inspired by Manikata Church opens at Malta Society of Arts The f irst exhibition organised by the Archbishop's Delegate for Culture marks f ifty years since the Manikata church was inaugurated as a parish through works by Austin Camilleri, Julian Vassallo, Victor Agius, and Laetitia Troisi De Menville ON Thursday 13 March, the office of the Archbishop's Del- egate for Culture officially opened its first exhibition titled Silence Within Abundant Bird- song, celebrating fifty years since the Manikata church en- tered Malta's churchscape. Cu- rated by Andrew Borg Wirth alongside Sera Galea, the ex- hibition features new works by Austin Camilleri, Julian Vas- sallo, Victor Agius, and Laeti- tia Troisi De Menville, and will be open to the public until 24 April 2025 at the Malta Society of Arts, Valletta. The iconic Manikata church, designed by Richard England, has long been considered a highlight in Malta's modern- ist architectural heritage. The exhibiting artists explore their relationship with Manika- ta, its surrounding landscape, architecture, and sacredness through the mediums of sculp- ture, photography, and music. "The church is a space of si- lence. Its threshold attempts to mask the sound of its out- side. Whilst an abundant bird- song hovers around its walls, the architect sees potential in conserving its absence," writes curator Andrew Borg Wirth. Indeed, this exhibition seeks to contemplate the sacred within silence and the echoes of a land- scape rich in history and mean- ing. Prof. Richard England, in conversation with Ann Dingli within the exhibition catalogue states: "The intangible problem in designing a sacred building is that you are measuring against the immeasurable. Above all what is required is to create lo- ci of meditative silence, prayer and mystic." Arch. Adrian Mamo, President of the Malta Society of Arts, remarks on the importance of hosting this exhibition: "We are honoured to present Silence Within Abundant Birdsong at the Malta Society of Arts. This exhibition not only pays tribute to a milestone in Malta's archi- tectural and spiritual heritage but also fosters an artistic dia- logue between history, space, and contemporary expression. We look forward to welcoming the public to experience this profound reflection on silence, nature, and the sacred." In 2023, Archbishop of Malta Charles J. Scicluna entrusted Mgr. Claude Portelli as the first Delegate for Culture for the Archdiocese of Malta. The of- fice of the Delegate for Culture seeks to strengthen dialogue between the Church in Malta and the cultural world, foster- ing collaborations with Mal- ta's artistic community while commissioning, supporting, and launching cultural projects alongside influential Maltese creatives and institutions. Silence Within Abundant Birdsong invites visitors to en- gage with the intersection of art, architecture, and spiritual- ity. By reflecting on the sacred- ness of space, memory, and the natural world, the exhibition offers a contemporary response to a landmark of Maltese mod- ernist heritage. Through this artistic exploration, the Man- ikata church continues to in- spire new perspectives and meaningful conversations, bridging the past and present in an evolving cultural landscape. A book launch will take place on Thursday 10 April at the Malta Society of Arts, inaugu- rating a catalogue with inter- ventions by Prof. Joe Friggie- ri, Prof. Maria Frendo, Elyse Tonna, Ella Fleri Soler, Antho- ny Bonnici, an interview with Richard England by Ann Dingli, and a foreword by Chris Abel. Silence Within Abundant Birdsong is open from 13 March to 24 April at the Art Galleries of the Malta Society of Arts in Valletta. This pro- ject is supported by APS Bank, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, RLAUTIER and Spades Wines & Spirits. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, and Saturdays 9am to 1pm. Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Entrance is free. For more details please visit www. artsmalta.org/events or www. facebook.com/maltasocietyo- farts. Additional Information Official Opening: Thursday 13 March at 6pm Catalogue Contributors: Chris Abel, Ann Dingli, Prof. Joe Friggieri, Ella Fleri Soler, Elyse Tonna, Prof. Maria Frendo and Anthony Bonnici Poster Image Credit: Demarco Digital Archive, University of Dundee & The Richard Demar- co Archive. Manikata Church, 1976 Archbishop's Delegate for Culture website: https://cul- ture.church.mt/ For more information con- tact: seragalea@gmail.com or p r o j e c t s @ a n d r e w b o r g w i r t h . com As old as creation itself, Echoes of Ritual, Tabernacle, Victor Agius, 2025