Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/475084
XII maltatoday, Sunday, 8 March 2015 This Week The honesty of disfigurement TEOdOr rELJIc speaks to Italian artist Jacopo dimastrogiovanni, one of the artists exhibiting their work in afterselfie – beyond masks, currently on display at St James cavalier, Valletta. First conceived at last year's edition the Valletta International Visual art Festival, the collective exhibition will travel to Trentini in Trento, Italy in May How did it feel to be invited to exhibit at this particular exhibition? I am really delighted to be part of Afterselfie project. I want to thank the curator Carolina Bortolotti and Simon Sultana Harkins for the great chance they gave me to exhibit among so many exciting artists. International collabora- tions are incredibly important for artis- tic – and personal – growth. Could you tell us a bit about the work you're showing at the exhibition? The paintings I presented for Afterself- ie are an attempt at investigating human beings and their deeper anguishe, be- yond the comforting appearances of the forced roles we often play everyday: 'Odi et amo' is a polyptych which explores the relationship of a couple in deep crisis. The two figures are presented in an intimate, ref lective moment: in the central paintings they are represented with a physiognomy that is certainly deformed, but also authentic: this is what I consider to be the essence of a sincere human being. How would you say your work has evolved over the years? What would you say are some of the most important things you've learnt as an artist? I started my artistic career with an almost hyperrealistic style but soon I felt the need to turn to something more 'dis- figured '. I gradually deformed my repre- sentations, more and more over the years, to free it from any context or identitary confinement. At the same time my wish is to go deeper into subjects pulls me to physically mistreat the pictorical surface, scratching the canvas with brushes or paint scrapers. The most important thing I've learned is that, to be an honest artist, I have to represent what I really feel and not what people may like. Are you looking forward to seeing your work travel to Trento as part of the exhibition? Of course, I am really glad to exhibit my paintings in my city. I have already shown my works in Trento, but never in a so prestigious venue such as Palazzo Trentini. I often visited the important exhibitions hosted in Palazzo Trentini, and now it makes me feel strange – but also excited! – to be there are more than just a visitor. How would you describe the contemporary arts scene in Malta? What would you say it needs most of all? I was in Malta for just a few days for the Afterselfie opening, but enough to be honestly impressed by the attention dedicated to contemporary art. During my staying I felt the enthusiasm for Val- letta 2018 European Capital of Culture fomenting the increase of local cultural activities. I saw the proposals for the design of the monument to celebrate the forty years of Maltese Republic and I was amazed by the high quality of a lot of projects there. My wish is that this posi- tive trend could go on, even after Valletta 2018. The exhibition will remain on display until March 15. It will move to Trentini in Trento, Italy on May 15 A line-up of acclaimed international musicians and professors will be performing and conducting master- classes at the Malta International Music Festival and Competition 2015. Organised by the European Foundation for Support of Culture, the festival and competitions will be held between April 27 and May 10. Among the list of 18 international professors who will be participat- ing in this year's festival there are: German pianists Andreas Frölich and Nina Tichman, Russian pianists Yuri Didenko and Arkady Zenziper, Spanish pianist Leonel Morales, Italian pianist Giuliano Maz- zoccante, violinist from Austria Dora Schwarzberg, Russian cellists Alexander Zagorinsky and Boris Andrianov, American clarinettist Julian Milkis, Swiss saxophon- ist Lars Mlekusch and Armenian saxophonist Hayrapet Arakelyan. The professors will be conducting master-classes in pianoforte, violin, violoncello, saxophone, clarinet and chamber music. The Festival welcomes students and performers from around the world. Young artists will have an opportunity to learn, live and exchange artistic experiences with professors and many foreign par- ticipants. Combining an intensive educational programme and an outstanding concert series, the Festival will provide a fine learning experience for music students and young performers. Festival Artistic Director Mro Alan Chircop said: "We are looking forward to welcome many Maltese participants to an enjoyable, re- warding and inspiring artistic expe- rience, no matter at which level they are in their career. They will have an opportunity to experience the work of other foreign participants and performers. For the past two festival editions, participants came to Malta from all over the world – from across Europe to Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and from as far as Kaza- khstan and China. Once again, we envisage having a large number of foreign participants, since this year the number of Professors is more than double of last year." Apart from extending the range of master-classes and concert venues, this year the Festival will be holding international competitions for pian- oforte, winds, strings and chamber ensembles – in four separate com- petitions presided by international adjudicating panels. Apart from the attractive monetary prizes, winners will be invited to perform in various European music festivals. The stunning festival programme will feature all the musicians in various public concerts which will be held at different venues around Malta and Gozo. All the partici- pants will have the opportunity to perform alongside international artists in an extensive number of concerts held every day and which will be open to the public free of charge. The Opening Concert of the Malta International Music Festival and Competition will be held on the April 27 at 19:30 at the Teatru Manoel in Valletta. Malta International Music Festival and Competition 2015 is a mem- ber of Alink-Argerich Foundation, presented in collaboration with the Johann Strauss School of Music – Malta, and sponsored by D'Addario Woodwinds, D'Addario Orchestral, Henri Selmer Paris, Luna Holiday Complex in Mellieha. Online registrations are open on the Malta International Music Festival website: www.maltafest.eu. Further enquiries can be made on the online contact form, via email to info@maltafest.eu, or call 7772 7222 Kids encouraged to 'discover Valletta' with V18 info pack Teodor reljic Launched Wednesday morning during a tour of Fort St Elmo and the Church of Mary Magdelene in Valletta, the Discover Valletta project aims to help kids get a more immersive education on Valletta's key cultural sites. Comprising of flash cards penned by Maltese author Trevor Zahra and an mp3 player with accompanying audio commentary, the informa- tion pack focuses on 24 different areas of Valletta, from landmarks to churches and museums. Addressing students from Valletta- based schools – St Albert the Great and San Gorg Preca – Valletta 2018 Chairman Jason Micallef said the project was inspired by a visit to a local school over a year ago. "While it was clear that the stu- dents were very proud of Valletta, I was disappointed to discover that, when I asked them which parts of Valletta they would point out to visi- tors and tourists, few of them were able to put forward any suggestions." Micallef said that the pack is a way towards not only remedying this problem, but that it will also ensure that the children's families – even those returning from the diaspora on holiday - would be able to make use of it and reap its benefits. Prompting the schoolchildren present to say what they liked about Valletta – with most of them saying it was "beautiful" because it was "historical" – Education Minister Evarist Bartolo pointed out that Valletta was one of the first cities to be built entirely from scratch, becoming a model for cities like Washington. "We must not make the mistake of simply setting about restoring fortifications and buildings, in the run up to Valletta 2018. We need to ensure that our people are seen to as well. And this applies to children most of all. They're the most beauti- ful legacy we can leave behind," Bartolo said. Malta International Music Festival and Competition is back Alexander Zagorinsky and Eleonora Rolanova on accompaniment at last year's Opening Ceremony of the Malta International Music Festival 'Odi et amo' – on display at St James Cavalier 'Non importa'