Artists transform old bordello

Artists are being given free rein to transform a vacant dwelling in Valletta which was once probably used as a brothel.

The event, called "Cityspaces" forms part of the YMCA Valletta Festival and members of the public can watch the artists at work.

Exhibition curator and artist Raphael Vella said participating artists started working nearly two weeks ago. Each had been given a room each to transform.

They were being inspired by the place and its squalor, transforming the dilapidated rooms into something new and imaginative.

As part of the event, art works are also being exhibited in urban spaces around the city with the aim of breathing new life into the streets of Valletta and providing surprising encounters for passers-by.

Besides raising funds for the YMCA, the exhibition is also aimed at trying to regenerate well known and unknown spaces in Valletta.

Mr Vella said that the event gave contemporary artists a new opportunity to show their work.

"Not even St James Cavalier is aimed at contemporary artists," Mr Vella said.

The Valletta property, at 78, Old Mint Street, has been provided by property and design consultants specialising in property in Valletta - CityPro.

Representative Edgar Mifsud said the exhibition was merging art and philanthropy while giving the people an experience to view such places which reflected life in the city.

People may visit the works in progress up to July 25 and then see the finished product between July 26 and August 4, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The participating artists are Norbert Attard, Vince Briffa, Gabriel Caruana, Raymond Pitrè, Austin Camilleri, Anton Grech, Ruth Bianco, Charles Gatt, Pierre Portelli, Patrick Fenech, Mark Mangion and Raphael Vella.

Entrance is free but a publication, which will sell for Lm1, is being distributed. All proceeds from the publication will go to the YMCA.

YMCA Valletta general co-ordinator David Darmanin said the organisation was currently working to finance the operation of a new shelter for the homeless in Valletta, which would take up to 44 people.

The organisation is calculating that this would mean a recurrent expenditure of Lm39,000 a year.