Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/580873
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2015 15 seem to be a revival of interest: I draw his attention to the many, many arts festivals held this summer… all of which could be described as initia- tives aimed at fostering appreciation for art. Vella however expresses irritation at "this idea that we have to create an 'industry' out of the arts". "The oxymoron in Malta is that everyone now talks about the 'cul- tural economy', and absolutely eve- ryone has taken stock of the need for a more creative generation in every sphere. We're investing thousands, if not millions, in institutions such as V18 – to celebrate something which I still haven't understood, and which is still completely vague, in four years' time… and yet the in- vestment in grassroots is not hap- pening. This is where investment is really needed: to nurture people, to introduce people to stuff. So how can I, as someone who is critical and substantially interested, take some- thing like V18 seriously? When it embarks on ambitious projects, without the basic infrastructure in place? It's like killing the baby be- fore it's even born…" Subject of V18, the appointment of Jason Micallef – former Labour Par- ty secretary-general – to head the project could hardly be justified on the grounds of his credentials in the arts. And this seems to fit neatly into a pattern whereby such appoint- ments are often made for political considerations that have nothing to do with the role concerned. Is this kind of political nepotism (for want of a better word) also un- dermining the credibility of these institutions? "Let me be philosophical about it: this sort of culture exists everywhere in the world. And in the Mediter- ranean it is more visible than else- where. I try to follow the Italian cul- tural scene, and you hear the same complaints. The thing with Malta is, you can't expect people not to know each other. So what irks is not so much that it happens, but the bla- tancy of how it happens…" Nor is it limited to party politics alone. "In the cultural scene there are dinosaurs which can never be touched. Reuben Zahra is an exam- ple, though I could come up with others. Fine, he's an established artist with a considerable portfolio, and so on. But how he hops from one festi- val to another as curator…. is it pos- sible that he always has something in hand? Again, I'm not doubting his credentials. I'm not saying he's not a valid artist, or anything. Never mind what I think personally, that's irrel- evant. But what about other equally gifted people, who might have ob- tained qualifications from London, etc.? Are these people never going to get a chance to avail of these op- portunities? It's as though it's always the same people juggled around dif- ferent positions…" He breaks into a grin. "Normal Lowell would have said, 'shifting deckchairs on the Titanic'… to quote someone I disagree with on every- thing else. But there is that sensa- tion. I know, because I have friends who work in the cultural ministry… and they stick to it because it's what they love, even though they tell me how frustrating it gets at times. They already know, for instance, that un- less they suck up, they will barely be able to scrape and eat off the floor. They're not happy about it, but they can't challenge it either... Another drawback to the 'cultural- political appointee' syndrome is that these people get to put their own stamp on Malta's artistic direction. "Jason Micallef, to me, falls into that category. He's got this idea that V18 has to be some kind of one- off, spectacular event – a massive bonfire that will remain fired up in everyone's memory for years. If you ask me, however, all that's going to remain is smoke. Because we're in- vesting in all the wrong places. To me, it's more people like…" he trails off in search of a name… "like [street artist] James Micallef Grimaud, for instance. These people are the fu- ture visionaries of local art. I can't comment on the quality of his work, because visual arts and graffiti are not my area… but if you look at his CV, you'll see lots of work that is relevant, valid… collaboration with foreign artists, and – much more importantly, I'd say – involvement with other sectors of society that are usually forgotten. One recent project of his involved going to retirement homes and engaging residents in art. Ok, now you might tell me I'm being romantic… and that other things are needed for administrative posts. But let's not forget that these are the people who fought to have a skate-park at Tal-Qroqq, instead just another f***ing roundabout. These are the heroes of the Maltese arts scene. And yes, they do receive funding. But these people should be at the helm of institutions, not living off the crumbs. These are the people who could make a difference…" Interview MARIO VELLA, frontman for Brikkuni and outspoken commentator on the cultural scene, contends with the most philosophical question ever asked about art. Can you live off it? 'Brikkun' in the wall PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD