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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2016 40 This Week A healthy emphasis on the process Having opened on October 21, the annual Divergent Thinkers exhibition brings together a group of emerging artists to create work to a brief, with this edition taking 'NAVIGATE' as its curatorial springboard. As the final instalment of an ongoing series of interviews with the participating artists, TEODOR RELJIC speaks to Sarah Maria Scicluna, who won the competition that underpinned the exhibition and so will be travelling to Tokyo, Japan for a month-long scholarship at the Youkobo Art Space in August, 2017 What would you say is signifi- cant about the Divergent Thinkers tradition, and how does it feel to be a part of it? Also, what do you think it contributes to the stature of your own work as a whole? Divergent Thinkers has been an ongoing initiative which allows young artists to explore a theme through various approaches. In this regard, I can safely say that there is a lack of restriction, which makes me glad to be a part of it. The idea that the very premise of the exhibition is the exploration of a thought process behind the work is something that intrigues me. In my opinion, the creative pro- cess is a truly important part in the construction of an artwork. Unfortunately, many of us have a tendency of overlooking this by viewing the work as an end in itself, and thus marginalizing the means which make an artwork what it is. Divergent Thinkers places a healthy emphasis on this process by provid- ing the space for it to become part of the artwork. How did you interpret NAVI- GATE – this year's Divergent Thinkers theme – and what do you hope to communicate with your contribution to the exhibition? My interpretation of the theme was one that focused mainly on the investigation of a specific place based on my own experience of nav- igating through it. I recorded this location on many occasions, and this gave me an awareness of things which I haven't previously noticed. Through my work, these subtle de- tails gained the status of landmarks within their environment. This means that I did not contribute sim- ply a documentation of this given environment, but also of my experi- ence within the environment – my navigation through it. What do you make of the local visual arts scene? What would you change about it? I believe that the local art scene has improved within the last cou- ple of years as there are more op- portunities for those involved, but there still remains plenty of room for improvement; I would like to see a stronger sense of community, for example, and more discourse be- tween artists and the public within the visual arts sector. There is also a lack of constructive criticism, which is a productive way of chal- lenging artists towards developing and strengthening their ideas. As a lecturer, I see more and more stu- dents studying Fine Arts each year, which means that there is a healthy amount of interest as well as poten- tial. Having won the residency in To- kyo, how do you hope to make the most out of the experience? I look forward to my residency and absorbing some of the culture in Tokyo – the sense of being in such a different place. I would like to see how this translates, or makes its way into my future work. Experiencing this place with the knowledge that I will eventually have to leave is also of importance to me, so I will defi- nitely take what I can from it. Divergent Thinkers will be on show at the Malta Maritime Mu- seum, Birgu until November 18. The exhibition is curated by Raph- ael Vella and organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in collaboration with Val- letta 2018, with the support of the Malta Maritime Museum, EU Japan Fest and Japan Media Arts Festival. Sarah Maria Scicluna Maltese-language version of Ancient Greek classic to be staged at the Manoel ONE of the classics of Ancient Greek theatre is set to be per- formed at the Manoel Theatre towards the end of the month, as Josette Ciappara directs a Maltese- language version of the Euripides play Hekuba for the national thea- tre stage. With the lead role taken on by Karmen Azzopardi, who will be flanked by Mario Micallef, Mi- chael Tabone, Anthony Ellul, Alan Fenech, Lee-N Abela, André Man- gion and Amanda Cachia in what is something of a comeback role forr the veteran actress, who portrayed the very same character some 15 years ago. The play opens with the ghost of Polydorus declaiming and la- menting how, after the fall of Troy, he had been sent to Polymestor for protection, and how the King had betrayed him, killed him, and robbed him of the gifts he had tak- en with him. But why did Polyme- stor kill the young man? Why did he actually want to be rid of him? In Thrace, Hekuba, now as slave of the Greeks, is mourning the loss of her throne and her city. The Chorus foretells the eventual death of her daughter Polyxena and Hek- uba is devastated. Why has Polyxe- na got to die, or be killed? To whom does Hekuba turn in a desperate plea to save her daughter's life? For this production – and in ad- dition to the main cast – the choir will be made up of Marcelline Galea, Kim Dalli, Michelle Zerafa, Daniela Carabott Pawley, Shelby Aquilina, Amanda Cachia, Veroni- ca Mizzi, Claire Buhagiar and Mar- ionia Mallia. Ciappara will be directing the production off a Maltese-language version of the play penned by Al- fred Palma. Hekuba will be staged at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on No- vember 25 and 26 at 20:00 and November 27 at 19:00. Bookings: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or 2124 6389 Karmen Azzopardi and Mario Micallef Heritage Malta launches new membership scheme HERITAGE Malta, in its efforts to increase accessibility to all museums and sites, launched a new membership scheme offer- ing new initiatives and a variety of categories. This new scheme, announced during an open day at Heritage Malta's Conservation Labora- tories in Bighi, follows the Stu- dent Membership Scheme aimed at students attending primary schools. The main aim of such initiatives is to increase the number of local visitors towards museums and heritage sites. The current membership scheme entitles the card holder to free unrestricted entry to all Heritage Malta museums and sites except for the Hypogeum for which members are offered a 50% discount. Other benefits include discounts from the mu- seum shops, discounts on ac- tivities organised by the national agency, and participation in free exclusive events organised spe- cifically for members. The new scheme offers four membership categories with one, three or five year options. Through the new scheme an adult or joint members can ad- mit up to six children free. Also, children, 12 years and over, from within members' households are entitled to their own member- ship card, permitting them in- dependent entry. Through these improvements the membership card can be shared with grand- children or child's best friend. A three-year membership enti- tles the card holder up to 15 free tickets to share with family and friends, and a five-year member- ship entitles the card holder to 30 free tickets to share with fam- ily and friends. The prices of the membership scheme are as follows: • adult 18-59yrs: €45 for 1 year, €110 for 3 years, €185 for 5 years; • joint adult 18-59 years: €80 for 1 year, €195 for 3 years, €325 for 5 years; • concessions 60+/disabled person/student: €35 for 1 year, €85 for 3 years, €140 for 5 years; • joint concessions 60+/disa- bled person/student: €60 for 1 year, €150 for 3 years, €245 for 5 years. For more information about Heritage Malta and its upgraded membership scheme visit the na- tional agency's website, www.her- itagemalta.org, or visit the Face- book page