I would like to reply to Dr Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci’s article Saatchi and Malta, or Tracey Emin and the Maltese Church (TMIS, 19 June) which refers to the relationship between the local art scene and the international art scene. At the PN general council held last month, Prof. Joe Friggieri correctly stated: “You cannot open a window and expect the wind not to blow through”.

Although referring to the recent divorce situation, Prof. Friggieri’s statement was undoubtedly correct and applicable to other debatable issues in our society. The dominant position of the Church on art has prevented visual culture from progressing and developing with the rest of the world, even thought the talent and potential exists. Christian values have overshadowed any other minority values, disregarding individual perspectives. Progress always has an element of shock value but this is eliminated once a society becomes tolerant. Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain was probably the most shocking artwork in the history of art, yet it succeeded in becoming a conventional image and a norm within the Artworld. Hence, contemporary art objects are judged by their shock value amongst other criteria which differ to those specified by Giorgio Vasari.

The Artworld, a term coined by art philosopher Arthur Danto, is today’s version of ‘the salon’. The salon determined what should be considered as art, just as the Artworld decides who is an artist and what is art. The dominant class plays a major role in deciding who or what is art. Dr Schembri Bonaci aptly wrote: “Aware that art is dangerous when it is understood, dominant classes establish an art scene of meaninglessness”. Is this why contemporary art is ignored by most local people, because it is incomprehensible?

In Malta we also have another institution that conditions which art can be displayed, and this is the Church. Works of art such as those by Tracey Emin are nowhere to be found on the island. It is true that the National Museum of Fine Arts is limited by space, but this is no excuse for restricting the type of art that can be viewed. However, it could be that this problem is not necessarily caused by the Museum but by the artists themselves. The lack of contemporary art in Malta could be the result of a misunderstanding, or a lack of knowledge on how art history took such a radically different direction.

What was considered as shocking in the early 20th century in Central Europe is still considered shocking to the majority of people in the 21st century in Malta. Few have ventured outside society’s parameters and those few are not given the recognition they deserve in Malta. Some of these artists have been given more credit for their artistic creativity by foreigners or overseas. As Dr Schembri Bonaci said in his article, our own Saatchi Gallery does not exist at this point in time. If it will ever is hard to tell. His experiences as a result of travelling outside the ‘‘Maltese platonic cave’’ are reflected in his modernist stance. Unfortunately, those who were less adventurous only saw the situation within the cave without regard for what lay outside it. Contemporary art exhibitions and events are being held all over the world, at all times of the year. In Malta, some have attempted to make this a reality but their efforts have been negated or ignored.

Nicola Petroni