Modern art museum in Paceville

I truly enjoy Kenneth Zammit Tabona's articles, especially those in the Economic Update tackling the subject of art in Malta, be it to praise our rich history of art or to speak of the need to put modern (and hopefully post-modern) art at the forefront too, to know where we are going.

I would like to point out however that great local art, at least today, does not strictly have to use Malta as its inspiration; art does not always have to be a romantic, patriotic ode to one's country, at least not in the traditional sense. As a matter of fact it can be pretty much the very opposite if the artist so desires, and still be of national and international importance and a future historical landmark in art for generations to come, if well executed.

There are fundamental differences between the classic art of the past and modern art; they are to be looked upon with different eyes. So, for example, why should a museum of modern art in Malta be preferably sited in the Three Cities area?

While I am happy to see these places come to life, this is the usual classical, romantic, age-old approach, far from the more modern, fresh, courageous, more philosophical one of thinking outside the conventional box, unpredictable as art should be and remaining loyal to its very concept all along. The choice of location and entire structure/architecture of such a project ought to plant the seeds to a true Renaissance.

The Three Cities will never lose that which they already have and symbolise. However, as culture evolves it can stretch further and be less obvious in the directions it takes. Why not have the rotting old Cable and Wireless building in Paceville fixed up the way this present government knows how when it wants to, and turned into a superb Modern Art Museum? It's a fit location right in the heart of a modern youth culture which throws its energy in the most vacant directions. This would create balance the way Valletta is picking up in nightlife and bars amid the art and culture it offers. Likewise Paceville could pick up with some decent art and culture amidst its bars and nightclubs. How great a change that would create. It would go down like honey. It's not such a crazy idea: the concept of having a Millennium chapel in such a place has already worked on a religious level. So why not with art, especially now that we are part of a culturally progressive Europe?