Throughout our daily lives, we encounter a range of experiences and sights that evoke discomfort, fear, or even aversion. From personal struggles to broader societal concerns, many aspects of life can feel heavy and unappealing. However, But I See Beauty and Wonder... invites us to reconsider these elements through the lens of art. The fourteen participating artists were challenged to begin with themes or objects often labelled as unattractive or frightening, and transform them into something engaging, fascinating, or beautiful.
Central to the exhibition is the idea that beauty and ugliness are subjective and shaped by individual perspectives. The featured artists will bring their unique interpretations to the theme, offering a diverse array of works that blur the line between the unpleasant and the beautiful.
As part of this exhibition, a series of workshops focusing on various creative practices and careers in the arts will be offered for children during the ŻiguŻajg Festival 2024. These workshops will be led by artists Rebecca Ranieri (Italy), Ioulia Chante (Greece/Malta), Ebru Cinar (Turkey/Malta), Sarah Maria Scicluna (Malta), and Shweta Urane (India).
Participating artists include Alexandra Aquilina (Malta / Germany), JP Azzopardi (Malta), Aaron Bezzina (Malta), Clint Calleja (Malta), Katel Delia (France / Malta), SJ Fuerst (USA / Malta), Sima Kahaki (Iran), Rebecca Ranieri (Italy), Darren Tanti (Malta), Shweta Urane (India), Bernice Vassallo (Malta), Willy Verginer (Italy), Fabio Viola & Andrea Carpentieri (Italy).
Curated by Melanie Erixon, the exhibition will be open to visitors aged 7 and up from 9th November 2024 to 5th January 2025. The showcase will occupy Spaces A, B, the Atrium, and the Atrium Approach at Spazju Kreattiv, promising an immersive and reflective experience for all who attend.
The curator of the exhibition Melanie Erixon explained that “As a curator, it’s inspiring to see how artists can transform what we often overlook or find unsettling into something beautiful and engaging. But I See Beauty and Wonder... challenges us to reconsider our perceptions and invites visitors to find wonder in the unexpected. I wanted to create an exhibition that resonates with young audiences as much as with the general public, and I’m thrilled to showcase works by international artists whose pieces have never been seen in Malta, offering a rich, eclectic experience that I hope will spark curiosity and a lasting love for contemporary art."
Festival Director of ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People Marta Vella emphasised that “This exhibition challenges our instinct to turn away from the uncomfortable, encouraging us to look closer and discover the beauty within. By transforming what we often dismiss as ugly or unsettling, we celebrate art’s power to shift perspectives and inspire deeper connections with the world around us starting in childhood.”
The Artistic Director of Spazju Kreattiv Daniel Azzopardi said that “This initiative is fundamental to our ongoing mission to promote arts and creativity among younger audiences, nurturing their appreciation of diverse practices while encouraging them to consider pursuing careers in the arts. The exhibition itself represents a collective effort by the participating artists to explore a highly relevant theme, with children as the central focus. It aims to engage young minds and inspire them through thought-provoking artworks and hands-on creative experiences.”
Mary-Ann Cauchi, Chief Operations Officer Funding and Strategy at Arts Council Malta noted how the objectives of the exhibition tie into the actions of the Education and Development strategic area of Strategy2025. “Nurturing arts appreciation amongst children, young people, and their parents, is essential to the wellbeing and growth of the arts sector. It is through collaborations, in this case the collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv and ŻiguŻajg, that such an objective may be achieved. Educational initiatives and opportunities to access arts education are priority areas for Arts Council Malta.”
The exhibition project is part of the Spazju Kreattiv and the ŻiguŻajg International Arts Festival for Children and Young People programmes produced by Fondazzjoni Kreattività and in collaboration with Arts Council Malta. This project is supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, and Cavalieri Hotel.
For more information about the exhibition visit www.kreattivita.org and for the workshops book on www.ziguzajg.org
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