And finally, here it is! The first art exhibition at BOCO Boutique Hotel, in Cospicua!
When Tony Busuttil, who runs BOCO Boutique Hotel so meticulously, asked me to team up and start a programme of exhibitions at his hotel, I immediately felt a good vibe, before even visiting the place. For us at Art Sweven, this collaboration will enhance our mission statement to bring more high-quality art and exhibitions within the hearts of communities. For those of you who are already familiar with this iconic hotel in Cospicua, know that the love for art is oozing from every corner, as the place is studded with commissioned art.
The curated programme of exhibitions will mainly focus on collective art exhibitions but not only. For the first exhibition we wanted to have a theme tied to the place while still keeping the artists free. Tony's background is in printing and all rooms are meticulously numbered and themed to a specific colour code. The first room is in fact number 181, the Pantone colour code for the hue of red paint used in this room, which we decided should be featured in the first exhibition at BOCO. The chosen opening night happened to be midsummer and what better way than to introduce this little dream, by having an exhibition title which ties up all of these thoughts and A Midsummer's Red Dream, was concocted.
Most of the invited artists already knew Tony and everyone accepted this red dream challenge with enthusiasm. The artists were invited to express in vague or concrete ways an atmosphere of a dreamy summer, or... a contradiction to that (as we shall see). Red comes with the most eclectic range of meanings from the symbol of victories and nobility to sacrifice, danger, courage, heat, passion, sexuality, anger, love and joy, among others... just take your pick.
The 15 participating artists are Victor Agius, Johanna Barthet, Rune Bo Jakobsen, Debbie Bonello, Andrew Borg, Fabio Borg, Clint Calleja, Dave Calleja, Sarah Calleja, Jo Dounis, Henry Falzon, Antoine Farrugia, Madeleine Gera, Stephen Saliba and Darren Tanti. The artworks will be spread across two floors, in separate rooms and outdoor areas. Impossible to mention all the artworks forming part of this exhibition, but to discuss a few...
Obviously, ego galore, I shall start with Andrew Borg's work titled Melanie, which I feel takes portraiture to another level. A reclining depiction of me engulfed in this vortex of surreal redness which originated from a split-second suggestion during a sitting for a more "classical" portrait. Debbie Bonello, Jo Dounis, Rune Bo Jakobsen, Sarah Calleja and Fabio Borg will transport us into surreal red landscapes, however, all tackled so differently with such different atmospheres - the dreamy utopian landscape of Dounis, the red beaches by Bonello, Bo Jakobsen's verge on the abstract and the redness predominantly takes over the paintings, Sarah Calleja's use of red emphasising the mean summer heat on the rocky seascape and Borg's signature treescapes shrouded in redness.
We all get annoyed by flies in summer but imagine a 20cm long red fly, which is one of the artworks presented by Stephen Saliba.
Antoine Farrugia managed to capture a Summer Breeze in globigerina limestone, which along with another sculpture portraying a contorted abstract form, executed totally in red, will again take this stone's pliability and duress to new limits.
Clint Calleja was very intrigued and inspired by the most recent lunar eclipse which occurred on 16 May and will be exhibiting a series of etchings displaying various stages of this Red-eclipsed moon. Darren Tanti will be exhibiting a huge drawing on canvas, from his Aħmar Ħelu w'Qares series, Corruption of the Flesh, which is a study and interpretation of The Romans in their Decadence by Thomas Couture, executed predominantly in red and bathed in what can be seen as spiritual light showering the decadent narrative.
The visitors have been invited to show up dressed in "daringly red" on the opening night, where again there is absolutely no right or wrong. We want everyone to feel part of this exhibition theme while enjoying beautiful artworks, a glass of exceptional wine and the beautiful atmosphere that BOCO can offer, while in great company. One can still RSVP to join the opening night being held on 22 June from 7pm onwards on [email protected].
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10.30am to 2pm
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: BOCO Boutique Hotel and Art Sweven to stay updated about our evening opening hours as part of the BOCO Nights series
The exhibition is curated by Art Sweven for BOCO Boutique Hotel, 65, Triq l-Oratorju, Cospicua
