The Malta School of Art in Valletta is currently hosting Identità, a process-based art project organised in collaboration with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. This is the third consecutive year during which the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) Malta School of Art and the National Youth Agency (Aġenzija Żgħażagħ) are collaborating on an IdeArti project. The intention is to provide young creatives the opportunity to expand and develop an artistic portfolio that enhances and challenges their individual potential.
Acting head/centre administrator at the Malta School of Art, Roderick Camilleri explained, "The collaboration first materialised during the academic year 2021-2022 when the project's theme, carefully selected by our School, was based on sculpture. The second project's theme during 2022-2023 was based on print-making. For the current academic year 2023-2024, the School identified the theme of digital media with the title Identità, whereby participants were encouraged to explore the multi-faceted nature of self-concept and self-identity."
Each of the seven selected participants had applied through an open call in the 18-30 year-old category. Once selected, these participants had one academic year during which to work on their personal exhibit, under the guidance of a mentor, and utilising the School's varied digital media resources such as its computer lab, digital printer and related equipment. Moreover, these artists were assisted and mentored by Malta School of Art tutors George Mario Attard and Fabrizio Ellul, in their development from concept to installation or any other art form involved.
Camilleri continued, "Each artist has created an individual exhibit which draws on a myriad of digital art and media resources. They have given a personal slant to the theme of identity through research, innovative approaches and creative thought processes whilst touching upon current issues such as gender, religion, geography, amongst others. Issues which form a background to their own lives and their contemporary experiences as young people."
The participants include Mariah Borg, Martina Darmanin, Lisa Hirth, Rebecca Mifsud,Christabelle Mizzi,Sheldon Saliba, Lana Berty Spiteri.
Borg has delved into the subject of individual identity and examined how two different persons look at the aspect of owning an identity card and a personalised number. Personal interviews back her research, further developed with the aid of video editing, painting and animation.
Darmanin has created a holographic reflection on faith and identity, exploring Malta's evolving religious landscape and the way our technological age has changed the way belief constantly transforms within our island culture.
Hirth has drawn on playfulness to create a space where the visitor harks back to childhood, dreamland and a fantasy world. An individual body-space-spirit exploration is encouraged, taking one back to individual childhood identity - stress-free and immersed in play.
Mifsud has sought to examine Maltese identity by exploring history and a national identity of place. She visited eight different villages and identified them by means of a booklet, wherein she documented via photography and sketches, the villages' respective colour palettes.
Mizzi has chosen femininity and motherhood as her themes around identity. She used a recorded dialogue between herself and her mother to inspire her creation of abstract drawings that helped her reflect on how identity of mothers reflected upon a mother-daughter relationship.
Saliba transported his project to the future, fantasizing about technofossils - what shall his generatiom be leaving behind for future generations to find? By using analog technologies, he provided an example of what the natural landscape will reserve hidden under layers of time.
Spiteri used cartoons to create a visual documentary on the life of contemporary youth living in Malta, touching upon the philosophical themes of permanence and the Gen Z Maltese community. She incorporated music, pop culture, typography, graffiti and other resources in her project.
"We are pleased to see that the project has reaped a positive outcome and are happy to be hosting this exhibition of works at our School. It is important to note that so far the selected overall winner of each IdeArti project had the opportunity of travelling to a
European destination and spending one month at an art institution there. The past two years provided an art experience in Salzburg. This year's destination will be announced shortly."
Identità is currently on exhibit at the Malta School of Art, 106 Old Bakery Street, Valletta, open to the public between 8am - 8pm, Mondays to Fridays. The exhibition has been extended until 6 June.