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Il-Malta International Contemporary Art Space (MICAS) irid isaħħaħ l-infrastruttura kulturali ta’ Malta billi jipprovdi pjattaforma għall-arti kontemporanja u l-internazzjonalizzazzjoni. Permezz tiegħu, Malta se tkun qed tieħu pass importanti ’l quddem meta jiġi varat dan l-ispazju, u se ssir protagonista proattiva tad-dinja tal-arti kontemporanja.

Il-MICAS mistenni jiftaħ fil-ħarifa tal-2024. Il-programm artistiku tal-MICAS se jinvolvi ruħu f’arti u kultura kontemporanja kemm globali kif ukoll lokali, u permezz ta’ hekk jippreżenta skeda ta’ esibizzjonijiet ta’ livell modjali minn artisti rinomati.

Il-MICAS għandu l-għan li jenerġizza pożittivament l-ekoloġija kulturali ta’ Malta u jħalli impatt fuq ir-reġjun Ewro-Mediterranju li huwa jgħix fih. Il-missjoni tal-

MICAS hija li jippromwovi l-arti kontemporanja billi joħloq kuxjenza pubblika lejn is-sinifikat tal-arti viżiva fuq il-ħajja kontemporanja, u billi jpoġġi fuq quddiem nett il-mod kif l-arti u l-artisti jikkontribwixxu għal kif niżnu u ninterpretaw id-dinja li ngħixu fiha.

Il-MICAS huwa proġett ta’ legat infrastrutturali mill-Gvern ta’ Malta għas-settur tal-Kultura u l-Arti, u bħala rikonoxximent tal-mandat ambizzjuż tiegħu ta’ internazzjonalizzazzjoni kultura, huwa mmexxi u ggvernat b’mod indipendenti. Il-MICAS se jitwassal permezz ta’ restawr tal-fortifikazzjonijiet storiċi ffinanzjat mill-istat, u l-galleriji tiegħu se jinfetħu fl-2023. Dan il-proġett huwa ffinanzjat parzjalment mill-Unjoni Ewropea permezz tal-Fondi Strutturali u ta’ Investiment Ewropej 2014-2020 li huma parti mill-Fond Ewropew għall-Iżvilupp Reġjonali.

Phyllis Muscat

President

Phyllis Muscat imprenditriċi li stabbiliet lilha nnifisha bħala waħda mill-amministraturi ewlenin f’Malta, sew fis-settur pubbliku sew f’dak privat. 

Fl-2015, Phyllis mexxiet b’suċċess it-Taskforce għal-Laqgħa tal-Kapijiet tal-Gvern tal-Commonwealth (CHOGM). Bħala Kap tat-Taskforce, kienet inkarigata mill-Gvern ta’ Malta biex tikkoordina l-arranġamenti amministrattivi u loġistiċi għall-attivitajiet kollha. Issa għandha l-kariga ta’ Direttur tal-Bord Konsultattiv tal-Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). Tippresjedi wkoll  il-Bord tal-Koordinazzjoni tal-Proġetti Kulturali (CBCP).

Tul il-karriera professjonali tagħha fis-settur privat, Phyllis waqqfet bosta negozji fil-qasam tas-saħħa u tal-wellness. Kienet ukoll l-ewwel mara f’Malta li nħatret president ta’ media house ewlenija, il-ONE Group. Serviet ukoll fil-kumitat eżekuttiv tal-Maltese-American Chamber of Commerce, il-Malta Association of Women in Business u l-Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, u kienet il-kofundatriċi tal-European Confederation of Professional Beauticians and Cosmeticians (CEPEC) u l-Malta Association of Beauty Therapists (MABT).

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Template is not defined.

Phyllis Muscat

President

Phyllis Muscat imprenditriċi li stabbiliet lilha nnifisha bħala waħda mill-amministraturi ewlenin f’Malta, sew fis-settur pubbliku sew f’dak privat. 

Fl-2015, Phyllis mexxiet b’suċċess it-Taskforce għal-Laqgħa tal-Kapijiet tal-Gvern tal-Commonwealth (CHOGM). Bħala Kap tat-Taskforce, kienet inkarigata mill-Gvern ta’ Malta biex tikkoordina l-arranġamenti amministrattivi u loġistiċi għall-attivitajiet kollha. Issa għandha l-kariga ta’ Direttur tal-Bord Konsultattiv tal-Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). Tippresjedi wkoll  il-Bord tal-Koordinazzjoni tal-Proġetti Kulturali (CBCP).

Tul il-karriera professjonali tagħha fis-settur privat, Phyllis waqqfet bosta negozji fil-qasam tas-saħħa u tal-wellness. Kienet ukoll l-ewwel mara f’Malta li nħatret president ta’ media house ewlenija, il-ONE Group. Serviet ukoll fil-kumitat eżekuttiv tal-Maltese-American Chamber of Commerce, il-Malta Association of Women in Business u l-Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, u kienet il-kofundatriċi tal-European Confederation of Professional Beauticians and Cosmeticians (CEPEC) u l-Malta Association of Beauty Therapists (MABT).

Waqas Wajahat

President tal-Kumitat Internazzjonali

Waqas Wajahat huwa kollezzjonist, kuratur, u negozjant tal-arti, li jaħdem mill-qrib ma’ mużewijiet, artisti, u ereditarji ta’ artisti biex jorganizza u jipproduċi eżebizzjonijiet. Bena r-reputazzjoni tiegħu fid-dinja tal-arti permezz ta’ enfażi fuq l-għarfien espert u l-filantropija. Wara li studja fl-Università ta’ Pennsylvania u l-Fondazzjoni Barnes, mill-Philadelphia Museum of Art, kiseb esperjenza kuratorjali u għarfien espert fl-arti ta’ wara l-gwerra u kontemporanja. Matul is-snin, iffoka fuq proġetti li jħallu legat li minnhom jibbenefikaw il-mużewijiet, l-artisti, u l-ereditarji tal-artisti.

Waqt li rrikonoxxa t-talbiet dejjem jinbidlu tal-legati tal-artisti u tal-ambizzjonijiet tal-ereditarji u l-fondazzjonijiet taghom, Waqas kien strumentali fl-iżvilupp ta’ relazzjonijiet bejn l-ereditarji ta’ David Smith u Hauser u Wirth, kif ukoll tal-Milton Avery Trust u Victoria Miro f’Londra, flimkien ma’ Xavier Huskens fi Brussell. Huwa beda u pproduċa diversi eżebizzjonijiet f’mużewijiet, fosthom surveys kritiċi u retrospettivi dwar Milton Avery, Herbert Ferber, Neil Jenney, Alexis Rockman, Richard Pousette-Dart, James Prosek, Sean Scully, Donald Sultan, u John Walker.

Waqas impenjat bi sħiħ li jappoġġja istituzzjonijiet tal-arti mingħajr skop ta’ qligħ, partikolarment il-Barnes Foundation u n-Norton Museum of Art ta’ Florida, u għadu impenjat mal-Menil’s Drawing Institute u l-Philadelphia Museum of Art. Huwa amministratur ta’ The Drawing Centre fi New York u jservi f’kumitati ta’ kollezzjonijiet u eżebizzjonijiet tal-Lowe Art Museum, il-Barnes Foundation, u l-Philadelphia Museum of Art.

L-attenzjoni tiegħu bħala kollezzjonist għadha fi ħdan l-arti ta’ wara l-gwerra u kontemporanja, b’enfażi fuq artisti femminili, kif ukoll pitturi tal-perjodu ta’ Mughal u Rajput.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

Edith Devaney

Direttur Artistiku

Edith Devaney, għal aktar minn għoxrin sena kienet kuratriċi anzjana fir-Royal Academy of Arts f’Londra. Hemmhekk kienet responsabbli li toriġina u tikkura diversi wirjiet ambizzjużi u innovativi bħal Jasper Johns: Something Resembling Truth (2017), li kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn The Broad f’Los Angeles; Abstract Expressionism (2016), li kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn il-Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; u David Hockney: A Bigger Picture (2012), li did-darba kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn il-Guggenheim Museum Bilbao u l-Museum Ludwig f’Cologne. Fir-Royal Academy, ikkurat ukoll diversi wirjiet oħra iżgħar imma li huma storikament importanti, fosthom Tracey Emin/Edvard Munch (2021), Phyllida Barlow: cul-de-sac (2019), u Richard Diebenkorn (2015). Fil-kapaċità tagħha ta’ kap tas-Summer Exhibtion fir-Royal Academy, ħadmet ma’ diversi artisti kontemporanji internazzjonali kemm fuq il-kurazzjoni ta’ din il-wirja annwali kif ukoll fuq proġetti u wirjiet speċjali marbutin magħha. Fost dawn l-artisti nsibu lil Roberto Matta, Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella, William Kentridge, Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Peter Blake, Cornelia Parker u Michael Craig Martin. Fl-2021 Devaney ħalliet ir-Royal Academy sabiex tmexxi d-David Hockney Foundation u d-David Hockney Inc. f’Los Angeles għal sentejn. Fost il-proġetti kuratorjali indipendenti tagħha nsibu Milton Avery fir-Royal Academy (2022), fil-Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Fine Art f’Connecticut (2022) u l-Modern Museum of Art of Fort Worth f’Texas (2021); Afro: 1950-1970: From Italy to America and Back (2022) u Arshile Gorky: 1904 – 1948 (2019), li t-tnejn li huma ttellgħu fis-Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art f’Venezja. Hija għadha tikteb u tagħti lekċers regolarment fuq l-arti, kif ukoll taħdem fuq proġetti kuratorjali indipendenti. Hija wkoll membru tal-bord tal-International Catalogue Raisonné Association (ICRA). Edith Devaney reċentement ħadet f’idejha l-pożizzjoni li għadha kif inħolqot ta’ Direttur Maniġerjali u Kuratur għal David Hockney Inc. u l-Fondazzjoni David Hockney. Hija wkoll Editur Ewlieni tad-David Hockney Catalogue Raisonné. Preċedentemnet, kienet il-Kuratur tal-Kontemporanju u l-Kap tas-Summer Exhibition tar-Royal Academy of Arts, u ttrasformat din il-wirja tul dawn l-aħħar għoxrin sena fis-suċċess popolari tagħha llum. Oriġinat u kkurat ukoll għadd ta’ wirjiet fl-Akkademja, fosthom Jasper Johns; ‘Something Resembling Truth’ fl-2017 li vvjaġġat lejn il-Broad f’Los Angeles; Abstract Expressionism, kemm fir-Royal Academy fl-2016, kif ukoll fil-Guggenheim Bilbao fl-2017; u l-wirja ta’ David Hockney, 82 Portraits and one still-life, li daret tliet siti madwar l-Ewropa u l-Istati Uniti, u kienet responsabbli wkoll għall-kura tal-wirja tal-pajsaġġi ta’ Hockney, A Bigger Picture, fl-2012. Wirjiet oħra jinkludu retrospettivi fuq Allan Jones u Bill Woodrow, retrospettiva ta’ Richard Diebenkorn u wirja tax-xogħol ta’ Phyllida Barlow. Ikkokurat sensiela ta’ GSK Contemporary Exhibitions fil-bini tal-Burlington Gardens tar-Royal Academy u kienet inkarigata mill-programm tal-iskultura tal-Annenberg Courtyard fejn ikkurat installazzjonijiet ta’ Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Cornelia Parker u Thomas Houseago fost oħrajn. Barra mir-Royal Academy, ikkontribwiet ħafna kitbiet għal diversi pubblikazzjonijiet u wirjiet kkurati indipendentament, inkluż, milux, retrospettiva dwar Arshile Gorky f’Venezja fl-2019. Hija membru tal-bord tal-International Catalogue Raisonné Association u konsulenta artistikua tal-MICAS.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

Georgina Portelli

President tal-Kumitat Edukattiv

Georgina Portelli speċjalista fil-formazzjoni tal-kunċetti, ir-rappreżentazzjoni tal-lingwa u l-multilingwiżmu, u għandha PhD (Psych) mill-Università ta’ Londra. Ħadmet estensivament fl-oqsma tal-edukazzjoni, il-komunikazzjoni u l-iżvilupp tal-kunċetti, kif ukoll fis-settur kulturali u kreattiv bħala riċerkatriċi, editriċi u konsulenta. Bħala kuratriċi indipendenti, għandha interess speċjali fl-arti interattiva, il-memorja u l-konfini nnegozjati tal-innifsi, l-alterità radikali u l-politika tal-ispustament. Xogħolha bħalissa jikkonċentra fuq l-istudji tad-dijaspora u l-memorja, il-kultura għall-inklużjoni soċjali, l-isponsorizzazzjoni għall-arti, u l-ħolqien ta’ sħubijiet kreattivi bejn l-arti, ix-xjenza u dixxiplini oħrajn.

Georgina bħalissa hi l-president tal-Creativity Trust Fund u membru fuq il-bord tal-Fondazzjoni Kreattività ta’ Spazju Kreattiv. Tappoġġja attivament il-kreattività u l-arti kontemporanja, u hi membru fundatur ta’ ISTRA, fondazzjoni tal-arti kontemporanja u tar-riċerka li tagħha hi l-ko-president għar-riċerka.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

The Ospizio

Floriana’s Balzunetta district will soon be hosting Malta’s new contemporary art space. The Malta International Contemporary Art Space, MICAS, will be realised through the repurposing of the Old Ospizio and the Ritirata sites. These are located within the magnificent Floriana Lines overlooking Marsamxett Harbour.
The Old Ospizio, situated on the Polverista Curtain next to the Msida Bastion Cemetery, sits directly below the Police Headquarters. It can be reached by walking down Vincenzo Dimech Road past the Inland Revenue Department and on through the Polverista Gate. This historic landscape has a layered and interesting narrative.

In 1634, the main gunpowder magazine, located in Strada San Jacopo in Valletta, exploded, causing the tragic death of 22 people and significant damage to the neighbourhood, including the nearby Jesuits’ Church. The manufacture of gunpowder was essential for the defence of the island and its maritime economy, and so the Knights, keen to move volatile gunpowder production out of the city away from inhabited areas. They eventually built a new gunpowder factory on barren land in Floriana along the curtain wall to the north of the La Vitoria Bastion on the Marsamxett side of the harbour. The fortification curtain wall became henceforth known as the Polverista Curtain.

The new polverista designed by the military engineer Blondel des Croisettes in 1665 had three windmills for grinding and manufacturing the gunpowder and was fully functional by 1667. By the 1720s however, this industry was in the hands of Maltese entrepreneurs in other locations on the island and in 1729 the old polverista and a number of the barrel vaults or casemates were repurposed into the first state-run institution for the care of the elderly and the infirm by order of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. He also ordered the military engineer Charles François de Mondion to excavate a water cistern and to create a space for a kitchen garden. The repurposed polverista building was however not quite fit for purpose, being rather dank and gloomy with two lower level basements that overall proved too small for demand. In 1732, Grand Master de Vilhena had added new buildings to the site, as well as a fountain. The new improved hospice or Casa di Carità housed around 380 residents a year.

The Casa di Carità was run by an administrative committee while the staff included a surgeon with the responsibility of overseeing the medical needs of the residents, initially elderly men and women who were destitute or infirm. The institution became formally known as l’ Ospizio in 1785 when Grand Master de Rohan issued a set of regulations for the management of the institution. These regulations remained in force until 1816. Those residents that were strong enough to work were given various jobs.

In 1798, during the Napoleonic period, penitents or reformed prostitutes from the Magdalen Asylum at lower St. Elmo, Valletta, were transferred to the Ospizio. In the early 19th century, during the British colonial period, the foundlings, previously cared for at the Holy Infirmary in Valletta, as well as female prisoners, were all sent to the Ospizio. Male and female patients with mental health problems were also relocated to the Ospizio in 1816. In short, the Ospizio became a multipurpose institution that had to cater for the elderly, for orphans, illegitimate children, abandoned infants, the mentally ill and female prisoners. It was also at the Ospizio, in 1837, that Dr. S. Axisa, a Maltese doctor, diagnosed the first cases of the Cholera epidemic that had started in India in 1817 and then swept across the globe.

When the new Asylum for the Aged and the Infirm was opened at Ngiered in 1892, the present-day St. Vincent de Paule Residence, the Ospizio ceased to function as a hospice and closed its doors in October of the same year. The site was transferred to the British Army Ordinance Department. During World War 1 (1914-1918), when Malta received the wounded from the Mediterranean theatre of war, the Ospizio workshops helped the war effort by manufacturing hospital furniture and other medical items such as splints and crutches.

Malta suffered heavily from Axis bombardment during World War II. The Ospizio was hit in several air raids carried out by Italian and German bombers targeting the Floriana barracks, Msida Creek and Manoel Island on the Marsamxett Harbour side. After Independence in 1964, the British Forces gradually handed over the military buildings to the Maltese government and by the early 1970s the Ospizio complex served as a store for Enemalta and also housed a trade school. In 1997, the Restoration Directorate set up its offices in the casemated vaults of the Polverista Curtain and in 2017 the MICAS administrative offices were housed in the old Polverista buildings on Joseph J. Mangion Street.

References
Pisani, S. (1970). The Malta Cholera Epidemic in 1837. The St. Luke`s Hospital Gazette, 5(2), 150-156.
Savona-Ventura Charles (2004) Knight Hospitaller Medicine in Malta (1530-1798).P.E.G. Ltd. Malta.
Spiteri, Stephen C. (2012). “Arx Occasional Papers – Hospitaller Gunpowder Magazines”. MilitaryArchitecture.com.

The Ritirata

The MICAS project footprint extends further down along the Polverista Curtain to the La Vittoria Bastion, the adjacent Ritirata and San Salvatore Counterguard with its spectacular arcone, or skew arch. The MICAS indoor galleries will be housed within the Ritirata, an inner line of defence consisting of an inner trench and parapet that guarded against the loss of the outer defences, and as its Italian military term denotes, provided a safe passage for defending troops in retreat.

Pietro Floriani designed the new fortifications intended to guard Valletta from the landward side in 1635. It had become clear however that there were weak points in his design, particularly on the bastion of Provence, also known as the San Salvatore Bastion. The Italian military engineer Count Antonio Maurizio Valperga was tasked in 1670 with reinforcing the fortifications to the north of the Polverista Curtain. Valperga constructed a new casemated bastion known as La Vittoria and a bassoforte or counterguard named la Conceptione, also known as the San Salvatore Counterguard. Valperga also enlarged the dry moat of the Ritirata to protect the inner bastion of San Salvatore. These new alterations provided better enfilading cover fire by the defending guns in case of an attack. Valperga also suggested a breach in the San Salvatore Counterguard in the form of a large vaulted skewed arc. The resultant arch is a spectacular and iconic construction that spans around nine meters over the Ritirata ditch. It is attributed to the Maltese capomastro Giovanni Barbara and is considered one of the finest examples of a masonry skewed arch.

Barbara’s construction is an oblique arch which required highly skilled and precise stone cutting to determine the shape and exact position of each stone. The stones could not be uniformly cut at right angles given the twist and turns of the structure and towards the ends of the arch these had to be cut on the diagonal. A brilliant piece of military engineering, the skewed arch has an internal vaulted gallery that would allow those troops defending the Floriana fortifications to retreat back to Valletta through three countermine tunnels in the adjoining bastion. The arch would subsequently be blown up by the retreating troops so as to isolate the enemy on the outer walls. This dramatic historical landscape will soon house the MICAS indoor galleries, where outstanding and cutting edge, international and local contemporary art will be displayed. The galleries are set to open their doors in 2024. This cultural infrastructure project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and through local state funding. The nearby earthen parapet of the San Salvatore counterguard will also host the MICAS outdoor galleries and sculpture garden. MICAS will offer new experiences and engagement with contemporary art as well as open new leisure trails and spectacular harbour views for visitors and the neighbourhood communities. Reference Spiteri Stephen C.( 2008) The Development of the Bastion of Provence, Floriana Lines in ARX- Online Journal of Military History 3 / Issues 1-4 Selected Papers http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/Arx/
arx1_4_2008.pdf

Phyllis Muscat

President

Phyllis Muscat imprenditriċi li stabbiliet lilha nnifisha bħala waħda mill-amministraturi ewlenin f’Malta, sew fis-settur pubbliku sew f’dak privat. 

Fl-2015, Phyllis mexxiet b’suċċess it-Taskforce għal-Laqgħa tal-Kapijiet tal-Gvern tal-Commonwealth (CHOGM). Bħala Kap tat-Taskforce, kienet inkarigata mill-Gvern ta’ Malta biex tikkoordina l-arranġamenti amministrattivi u loġistiċi għall-attivitajiet kollha. Issa għandha l-kariga ta’ Direttur tal-Bord Konsultattiv tal-Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). Tippresjedi wkoll  il-Bord tal-Koordinazzjoni tal-Proġetti Kulturali (CBCP).

Tul il-karriera professjonali tagħha fis-settur privat, Phyllis waqqfet bosta negozji fil-qasam tas-saħħa u tal-wellness. Kienet ukoll l-ewwel mara f’Malta li nħatret president ta’ media house ewlenija, il-ONE Group. Serviet ukoll fil-kumitat eżekuttiv tal-Maltese-American Chamber of Commerce, il-Malta Association of Women in Business u l-Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, u kienet il-kofundatriċi tal-European Confederation of Professional Beauticians and Cosmeticians (CEPEC) u l-Malta Association of Beauty Therapists (MABT).

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Template is not defined.

Phyllis Muscat

President

Phyllis Muscat imprenditriċi li stabbiliet lilha nnifisha bħala waħda mill-amministraturi ewlenin f’Malta, sew fis-settur pubbliku sew f’dak privat. 

Fl-2015, Phyllis mexxiet b’suċċess it-Taskforce għal-Laqgħa tal-Kapijiet tal-Gvern tal-Commonwealth (CHOGM). Bħala Kap tat-Taskforce, kienet inkarigata mill-Gvern ta’ Malta biex tikkoordina l-arranġamenti amministrattivi u loġistiċi għall-attivitajiet kollha. Issa għandha l-kariga ta’ Direttur tal-Bord Konsultattiv tal-Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). Tippresjedi wkoll  il-Bord tal-Koordinazzjoni tal-Proġetti Kulturali (CBCP).

Tul il-karriera professjonali tagħha fis-settur privat, Phyllis waqqfet bosta negozji fil-qasam tas-saħħa u tal-wellness. Kienet ukoll l-ewwel mara f’Malta li nħatret president ta’ media house ewlenija, il-ONE Group. Serviet ukoll fil-kumitat eżekuttiv tal-Maltese-American Chamber of Commerce, il-Malta Association of Women in Business u l-Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, u kienet il-kofundatriċi tal-European Confederation of Professional Beauticians and Cosmeticians (CEPEC) u l-Malta Association of Beauty Therapists (MABT).

Waqas Wajahat

President tal-Kumitat Internazzjonali

Waqas Wajahat huwa kollezzjonist, kuratur, u negozjant tal-arti, li jaħdem mill-qrib ma’ mużewijiet, artisti, u ereditarji ta’ artisti biex jorganizza u jipproduċi eżebizzjonijiet. Bena r-reputazzjoni tiegħu fid-dinja tal-arti permezz ta’ enfażi fuq l-għarfien espert u l-filantropija. Wara li studja fl-Università ta’ Pennsylvania u l-Fondazzjoni Barnes, mill-Philadelphia Museum of Art, kiseb esperjenza kuratorjali u għarfien espert fl-arti ta’ wara l-gwerra u kontemporanja. Matul is-snin, iffoka fuq proġetti li jħallu legat li minnhom jibbenefikaw il-mużewijiet, l-artisti, u l-ereditarji tal-artisti.

Waqt li rrikonoxxa t-talbiet dejjem jinbidlu tal-legati tal-artisti u tal-ambizzjonijiet tal-ereditarji u l-fondazzjonijiet taghom, Waqas kien strumentali fl-iżvilupp ta’ relazzjonijiet bejn l-ereditarji ta’ David Smith u Hauser u Wirth, kif ukoll tal-Milton Avery Trust u Victoria Miro f’Londra, flimkien ma’ Xavier Huskens fi Brussell. Huwa beda u pproduċa diversi eżebizzjonijiet f’mużewijiet, fosthom surveys kritiċi u retrospettivi dwar Milton Avery, Herbert Ferber, Neil Jenney, Alexis Rockman, Richard Pousette-Dart, James Prosek, Sean Scully, Donald Sultan, u John Walker.

Waqas impenjat bi sħiħ li jappoġġja istituzzjonijiet tal-arti mingħajr skop ta’ qligħ, partikolarment il-Barnes Foundation u n-Norton Museum of Art ta’ Florida, u għadu impenjat mal-Menil’s Drawing Institute u l-Philadelphia Museum of Art. Huwa amministratur ta’ The Drawing Centre fi New York u jservi f’kumitati ta’ kollezzjonijiet u eżebizzjonijiet tal-Lowe Art Museum, il-Barnes Foundation, u l-Philadelphia Museum of Art.

L-attenzjoni tiegħu bħala kollezzjonist għadha fi ħdan l-arti ta’ wara l-gwerra u kontemporanja, b’enfażi fuq artisti femminili, kif ukoll pitturi tal-perjodu ta’ Mughal u Rajput.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

Edith Devaney

Direttur Artistiku

Edith Devaney, għal aktar minn għoxrin sena kienet kuratriċi anzjana fir-Royal Academy of Arts f’Londra. Hemmhekk kienet responsabbli li toriġina u tikkura diversi wirjiet ambizzjużi u innovativi bħal Jasper Johns: Something Resembling Truth (2017), li kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn The Broad f’Los Angeles; Abstract Expressionism (2016), li kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn il-Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; u David Hockney: A Bigger Picture (2012), li did-darba kkurat ukoll il-vjaġġ tagħha lejn il-Guggenheim Museum Bilbao u l-Museum Ludwig f’Cologne. Fir-Royal Academy, ikkurat ukoll diversi wirjiet oħra iżgħar imma li huma storikament importanti, fosthom Tracey Emin/Edvard Munch (2021), Phyllida Barlow: cul-de-sac (2019), u Richard Diebenkorn (2015). Fil-kapaċità tagħha ta’ kap tas-Summer Exhibtion fir-Royal Academy, ħadmet ma’ diversi artisti kontemporanji internazzjonali kemm fuq il-kurazzjoni ta’ din il-wirja annwali kif ukoll fuq proġetti u wirjiet speċjali marbutin magħha. Fost dawn l-artisti nsibu lil Roberto Matta, Ed Ruscha, Frank Stella, William Kentridge, Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Peter Blake, Cornelia Parker u Michael Craig Martin. Fl-2021 Devaney ħalliet ir-Royal Academy sabiex tmexxi d-David Hockney Foundation u d-David Hockney Inc. f’Los Angeles għal sentejn. Fost il-proġetti kuratorjali indipendenti tagħha nsibu Milton Avery fir-Royal Academy (2022), fil-Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Fine Art f’Connecticut (2022) u l-Modern Museum of Art of Fort Worth f’Texas (2021); Afro: 1950-1970: From Italy to America and Back (2022) u Arshile Gorky: 1904 – 1948 (2019), li t-tnejn li huma ttellgħu fis-Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art f’Venezja. Hija għadha tikteb u tagħti lekċers regolarment fuq l-arti, kif ukoll taħdem fuq proġetti kuratorjali indipendenti. Hija wkoll membru tal-bord tal-International Catalogue Raisonné Association (ICRA). Edith Devaney reċentement ħadet f’idejha l-pożizzjoni li għadha kif inħolqot ta’ Direttur Maniġerjali u Kuratur għal David Hockney Inc. u l-Fondazzjoni David Hockney. Hija wkoll Editur Ewlieni tad-David Hockney Catalogue Raisonné. Preċedentemnet, kienet il-Kuratur tal-Kontemporanju u l-Kap tas-Summer Exhibition tar-Royal Academy of Arts, u ttrasformat din il-wirja tul dawn l-aħħar għoxrin sena fis-suċċess popolari tagħha llum. Oriġinat u kkurat ukoll għadd ta’ wirjiet fl-Akkademja, fosthom Jasper Johns; ‘Something Resembling Truth’ fl-2017 li vvjaġġat lejn il-Broad f’Los Angeles; Abstract Expressionism, kemm fir-Royal Academy fl-2016, kif ukoll fil-Guggenheim Bilbao fl-2017; u l-wirja ta’ David Hockney, 82 Portraits and one still-life, li daret tliet siti madwar l-Ewropa u l-Istati Uniti, u kienet responsabbli wkoll għall-kura tal-wirja tal-pajsaġġi ta’ Hockney, A Bigger Picture, fl-2012. Wirjiet oħra jinkludu retrospettivi fuq Allan Jones u Bill Woodrow, retrospettiva ta’ Richard Diebenkorn u wirja tax-xogħol ta’ Phyllida Barlow. Ikkokurat sensiela ta’ GSK Contemporary Exhibitions fil-bini tal-Burlington Gardens tar-Royal Academy u kienet inkarigata mill-programm tal-iskultura tal-Annenberg Courtyard fejn ikkurat installazzjonijiet ta’ Anselm Kiefer, Jeff Koons, Cornelia Parker u Thomas Houseago fost oħrajn. Barra mir-Royal Academy, ikkontribwiet ħafna kitbiet għal diversi pubblikazzjonijiet u wirjiet kkurati indipendentament, inkluż, milux, retrospettiva dwar Arshile Gorky f’Venezja fl-2019. Hija membru tal-bord tal-International Catalogue Raisonné Association u konsulenta artistikua tal-MICAS.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

Georgina Portelli

President tal-Kumitat Edukattiv

Georgina Portelli speċjalista fil-formazzjoni tal-kunċetti, ir-rappreżentazzjoni tal-lingwa u l-multilingwiżmu, u għandha PhD (Psych) mill-Università ta’ Londra. Ħadmet estensivament fl-oqsma tal-edukazzjoni, il-komunikazzjoni u l-iżvilupp tal-kunċetti, kif ukoll fis-settur kulturali u kreattiv bħala riċerkatriċi, editriċi u konsulenta. Bħala kuratriċi indipendenti, għandha interess speċjali fl-arti interattiva, il-memorja u l-konfini nnegozjati tal-innifsi, l-alterità radikali u l-politika tal-ispustament. Xogħolha bħalissa jikkonċentra fuq l-istudji tad-dijaspora u l-memorja, il-kultura għall-inklużjoni soċjali, l-isponsorizzazzjoni għall-arti, u l-ħolqien ta’ sħubijiet kreattivi bejn l-arti, ix-xjenza u dixxiplini oħrajn.

Georgina bħalissa hi l-president tal-Creativity Trust Fund u membru fuq il-bord tal-Fondazzjoni Kreattività ta’ Spazju Kreattiv. Tappoġġja attivament il-kreattività u l-arti kontemporanja, u hi membru fundatur ta’ ISTRA, fondazzjoni tal-arti kontemporanja u tar-riċerka li tagħha hi l-ko-president għar-riċerka.

In 2018 Francis was announced as an Ambassador of Culture for Malta. He supports many of Malta’s main cultural entities especially MICAS, Malta’s new museum space which opens in 2024. MICAS will house Malta’s contemporary art & design collection and will support local contemporary art but will also focus on attracting international cultural institutions, artists, educational programmes, and touring exhibitions to Malta. He is also very engaged in supporting new cultural tourism to Malta as part of his endeavours to strengthen both Malta’s local arts sector and its perception internationally.

Having co-founded the Design Fund for the Victoria & Albert Museum, Francis now sits on the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Advisory Council. He is co-head of the Cultural and Social Affairs Committee of the Serpentine Galleries and sits on the International Council also. He is a member of the International Council for the Design Museum, London. He is Co-President of the Jury of PAD London and is also a member of the jury for PAD Paris.

The atelier produces annual collections of bespoke and limited-edition furniture and textiles under the Francis Sultana brand. Francis designs furniture, lighting and accessories and has created key pieces for important historical interiors such as Spencer House and historical work with The National Trust. Francis’s own work is known for his use of noble materials such as bronze, rock crystal and straw marquetry and bespoke fabrics. The studio strives to support artisanal skills and techniques from around the UK and Europe throughout its work.

This year will see the launch of Francis’s hotel project for Oetker Collection with the refurbishment of the iconic Hotel La Palma in Capri. With collaborations including Reuben Brothers on a series of projects being announced later this Spring his new projects have been highly praised in the announcements from press globally of top hospitality for 2023.
Francis is currently collaborating on collections with some of Europe’s finest luxury brands including Bonacina and Ginori1735 in Italy and Galerie Diurne in France. Savoir & The Conran Shop in the United Kingdom and further new announcements of collections to be announced in April.

In 2019 Francis published his first large format book, Francis Sultana: Designs & Interiors, published worldwide by Vendôme and edited by Bronwyn Cosgrave. The book celebrates the career of Francis to date, as well as celebrating the designers and artists that have inspired him throughout his life. A new book is currently in production charting Francis’s custodianship of the Hunting Lodge, the landmark historic house and garden and former residence of the late British interior designer John Fowler.

Francis Sultana will open this autumn, Francis Sultana Home a new chapter in interior design retail which will showcase the breadth of the FS vision in the decorative and Fine Arts.

Abbona mal-
Bulettin tagħna

Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 “Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges”. Project may be part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: 80% European Union Funds; 20% National Funds.

Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 “Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges”. Project may be part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: 80% European Union Funds; 20% National Funds.

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