Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/513060
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 MAY 2015 28 This Week In a nutshell, how would you describe Blitz to somebody who hasn't had a chance to step into it yet, and what would you say is its most important to contribution to the Maltese arts scene? Blitz is an independent contem- porary art space which supports ex- perimental and radical arts practice in all its forms. BLITZ is a space to develop ideas, build relationships and nurture talent. BLITZ is a non- profit organisation and Malta's only independent, artist-run contempo- rary art space. In a period of just under two years, BLITZ has established itself as the major player in the local contempo- rary art scene, at an accelerated rate, and actively built relationships at an international level. Audience and community response to BLITZ has been overwhelmingly positive, and attendance at BLITZ events always far exceeding expectations, giving a clear indication of the desire for a space of this type in Malta and the role it can play in stemming the tide of Malta's creative drain. What are some of the improvements you hope to make with this crowdfunding campaign, and what led you to turn to crowdfunding in the first place? The BLITZ organisation needs increased human and financial re- sources to continue operating at a sustainable level. The building itself requires ongoing maintenance and over the years BLITZ has seen more and more of the space come alive through an ongoing restoration programme. Also, the organisation is nothing without its people. I have founded and run BLITZ single- handedly over the past two years, from overviewing the restoration to founding the non-profit organisa- tion, curation, design and perhaps even the occasional handiwork. I have also had invaluable help from the numerous interns that have par- ticipated in the BLITZ internship programme. This crowdfunding campaign will give BLITZ the financial injection needed to continue and work with the momentum already gathered. For this BLITZ campaign, our back- ers are rewarded with exceptional art, made in limited editions and exclusive to BLITZ. Can you give us more detail as to what 'Project Space' and 'Reside' will entail? The new BLITZ Project Space will be a dedicated space for a high- turnaround exhibition programme. It will provide a much-needed local platform for emerging experimental practitioners who are challenging what it means to make art nowa- days. Occupying approximately 60 square metres, the Project Space will be located on the ground floor of the BLITZ building. The Project Space programme will invite artists and innovators to engage with space through commissions and open calls. The installations will change frequently to keep the space fluid and alive, and give as many artists as possible the opportunity to show- case their work. When it comes to 'Reside', we need to finish what we've started. De- signed and constructed by students from the The Department of Ar- chitecture and Urban Design in the Faculty for the Built Environment at the University of Malta, and sup- ported by 808 Foundation, sitting inside BLITZ is a half-finished, self- contained apartment, waiting to bring international talent to Malta for engagement with the local scene. The implementation so far has ex- tended to the building of the basic structure. The next phase to com- pletion is electrical and plumbing, installation of bathroom sanitary ware and bed, plus finishes. The BLITZ artist-in-residency programme will invite foreign art- Weathering the blitz Having established itself as a go-to creative space for artists of all stripes, Valletta's BLITZ is now seeking to make good on its mission to provide a long- term functioning exhibition and performance space, by means of a crowdfunding campaign, 'Make Us Count'. TEODOR RELJIC speaks to Alexandra Pace, the driving force behind BLITZ, about why she turned to crowdfunding and what lies ahead for the venue Pace: "Blitz has established itself as the major player in the local contemporary art scene, and actively built relationships at an international level" Alexandra Pace: "Making do with what we have does not mean our limited resources should be distributed for everyone"