Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/866589
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 2017 39 Short Films The matter of narrative THINKING about material vectors and narrative juxtapositions, A Tranquil Star – an international collective exhibition held at Malta Contemporary Art, Felix Street Valletta – engages in a series of fundamen- tal questions, examining how narrative, process and material are shaped and how they coexist in varying states of meaning and form. Haris Epaminonda works with collected historic images and objects from different eras that are re-archived, reimagined and recontextualized, as very specific, orches- trated and minimal arrangements. Anthea Hamilton and Nicholas Byrne continue with their ongoing collaboration presenting appropriated cultural images and elements, repositioning them as de- constructed and buoyant devices. Basim Magdy's films reveal meticulous and poetic timelines via a collaging and physical interference with an extensive cache of film stock, superimposed audio and textual narratives producing and em- bodying ghostly, nostalgic and archeologi- cal narratives. Salvatore Arancios's ceramic sculptures indulge in an obscure scientific observation of physical and synthesised forms from nature, creating alluring rep- resentations repositioning very tactile con- nections to meaning and material. Salvatore Arancio's (b.1974 Italy) work spans several media from video and ani- mation to ceramics and sculpture. He has exhibited his work at various galleries and institutions around the world and is one of this years selected artists in the main exhi- bition at the 2017 Venice Biennale. Haris Epaminonda (b.1980 Cyprus) works in Sculpture and Film. Her work has been exhibited around the world including the Venice Biennale, Tate Modern, Museum of Modern Art New York. Anthea Hamilton (b.1978 UK) works in sculpture. Her work has been exhibited extensively and she was nominated for the 2016 Turner Prize. Her work also involves an ongoing collaboration with Nicholas Byrne (b.1979 UK). His work has been ex- hibited at Vilma Gold London, Schinkel Pavilion, Berlin, Saatchi Gallery London, Tate St.Ives and many others. Basim Magdy (b.1977 Egypt) works in film, photography and other media. His work has been exhibited extensively includ- ing MCA Chicago, MAXXI Rome and Jeu de Paume Paris. Malta Contemporary Art was founded in 2008 in Malta by artist and curator Mark Mangion. Between 2008 - 2011, MCA es- tablished itself as the foremost forum for contemporary art in Malta, collaborating with over 100 artists and other professionals in over 20 exhibitions, projects and events including Simon Starling, Cyprien Gaillard, Spartacus Chetwynd, Jess Flood-Paddock. Curated by Mark Mangion and having opened on June 9, A Tranquil Star will remain on display at Malta Contempo- rary Art until October 15. Opening hours: Wednesday – Friday: 13:00 - 18:00 ; Saturday 10:00 – 18:00. Kindly note that the venue will be closed for a summer break until September 15. For more information, visit www.maltacontemporaryart.com Among the many fishes that grace our shallow waters, the flying gurnard stands out. Not literally, though – like most animals that live on sandy bottoms, the flying gurnard (M. bies) uses excellent camouflage to blend into the featureless surrounding. Once spotted and approached, however (even if it's only a curious snorkeller coming in for an admiring gaze or a picture) the gurnard unfurls its pièce de résistance: a pair of extra-large, extra-wide pectoral fins that flash a magnificent phosphorescent blue. If that doesn't scare off the inquisitive intruder, the fish snaps shut its 'wings' and shoots off like a small blunt-headed torpedo. The flying gurnard feeds on sand-living bivalves and invertebrates, which it sifts about for with special 'fingers' along the front edge of its pectoral fins. Despite its name, by the way, the flying gurnard doesn't use its 'wings' to launch itself into the air in flying-fish fashion. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate Text Victor Falzon Photo Desirée Falzon 572. FLYING GURNARD GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 475: CARPET UNDERLINING - If you have a foam- backed carpet, lay newspaper down on the floor underneath it. This will help protect the carpet, and will also stop it sliding. Current funding for nature is inadequate. Proper funding is needed for the management of the Natura 2000 network, for targeted conservation action for rare species, action on Green Infrastructure, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and for monitoring the state of nature. Given that a healthy and sustainable society and economy is dependent on our looking after nature, such funding should be regarded as an investment in a sustainable economy and our future wellbeing. The EU needs to invest more in nature. It has been estimated that the full and effective implementation of the Natura 2000 network would cost €6 billion per year. Though not insubstantial, this investment can be expected to reap a high return. The economic benefits that flow from the Natura 2000 network are estimated to be up to €300 billion per year, including supporting 4.5 million jobs. Currently however, Natura 2000 is under-funded by 80-90% (in terms of contributions from the EU budget; other funding is available through EU structural funds, but Member States are not currently utilising this opportunity). The Commission and Member States must invest substantially more to achieve a major improvement in the state of nature – at minimum covering the amount required to manage and restore Natura 2000 areas. Member States and the Commission should act on existing commitments to reform environmentally harmful subsidies. 10 actions for a biodiverse Europe Secure more funds to support nature protection International collective exhibition A Tranquil Star inaugurates the re-launch of Malta Contemporary Art Salvatore Arancio Puna, 2013 (glazed ceramic, 136 x 56 x 72cm) Anthea Hamilton & Nicholas Byrne Installation view A Tranquil Star, MCA, Valletta Courtesy the artists