Mediterranean colour

ArtConnect in collaboration with Zodiaco Art Gallery in Licata, Sicily together with the participation of the Italian Cultural Institute are holding an art exhibition by Italian Pietro Piccoli at Café Premier in Republic Square Valletta.

Mr Piccoli has been described as “the definitive artist of the Mediterranean world”. The essence of the Mediterranean is colour and light, and everything in Mr Piccoli’s works focuses on these two elements – painting cities, beaches and seas with a compelling blend of realism and abstraction, visual detail and imagination.

Bruno Busetti, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Malta states: “When we are invited to visit a contemporary art exhibition we are immediately captured by a sense of fear or dismay since we ask ourselves ‘will I be able to decode or interpret the works I will see?’ This is a spontaneous question which comes to mind because we would like to possess established standards on which to base our evaluation and judgment. And, unfortunately, we know there are none at hand!”

Yet, Mr Busetti assures viewers that once confronted by this exhibition viewers will “immediately (be) freed from this threat. You will be caught by a sort of calm serenity which will lead you to rest your eyes not only on the subject of the paintings but also on the technique used by the artist to represent them...”

“Pietro lived in a theatrical world since his childhood, therefore everything in his work becomes a ‘scenario’, a visual script. Many of his works, in fact, could easily be used as ‘set designs’ of Italian lyrical operas. In his works, sunsets are sunsets, dawns are dawns and all of them are clearly ‘stolen’ from the real Mediterranean skies and seas. Thanks to his still vibrant reverie which, to some, could appear childish, many landscapes become mediaeval citadels which the sunbeams of the moonlight transform into fairy tales,” he concluded.

The exhibition runs until mid-May.

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Visual Arts

Till Sunday

Creative Impulse

Jackie Micallef is exhibiting a series of works at the Art Academy, Constitution Street, Mosta. The exhibition is open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

April 25-28

Trilogy

A collective exhibition by Adrian Balzan, Keith Borg and Michael Wright will be showing at the Highlander Hotel in Paceville. Proceeds in aid of YMCA Malta.

Till April 30

Introspections

An exhibition of abstract paintings by Christopher Saliba is showing at the Auberge d’Italie, Valletta.

Till April 30

A Year of Light

An exhibition of watercolour works by Wayne Attwood is running at the Vee Gee Bee Art Gallery in Republic Street, Valletta.

Till May 9

Mostly Churches

Marc England is exhibiting a series of watercolour paintings in the main hall of St James Cavalier.

Till May 16

Rhythm and Harmony

An exhibition of paintings by Anthony P. Vella is showing at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta. Open Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. (Last admission 4 p.m.)

Till May 16

Walking in Africa

A photographic exhibition by Guido Bonett is showing at the National Museum of Natural History in Mdina.

Performing Arts

Tonight, tomorrow and Sunday

The Seduction of the Almighty God

Written by Howard Barker and produced by Unifaun Theatre Productions, the play is directed by Rachel O’Riordan. Set during the dissolution of monasteries, a critical moment in the history of the English priesthood, the loss of faith and corruption that characterised the priests of the period is unexpectedly challenged by the arrival of a young man with an unsullied and passionate belief in God. The cast includes Manuel Cauchi, Michael Zammit Maempel, Joe Azzopardi, Lizzie Eldridge, Mikhail Basmadjian, Coryse Borg, Andrew Galea and Pia Zammit. Showing at St James Cavalier, performances start at 8 p.m.

Tomorrow

Strange Bird, Being Caravaggio

A night of drama and dance at its very best presented by the Foundation for Dance and Theatre and the Rampart Dance Company Haarlem, featuring actress Monique Van dee Werff and singer Charlotte Coppola, directed by Paul Rooyackers. Showing at the Manoel Theatre at 7.30 p.m.

April 30

The Habit of Art

Alan Bennett's new play is as much about the theatre as it is about poetry or music. It looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men, and at the ethics of biography. It reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion’s spent: ultimately, on the habit of art. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the cast includes: Danny Burns, Martin Chamberlain, Philip Childs, Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths. Showing at St James Cavalier at 7 p.m.

April 30, May 1-2

The Spiral: The legend of Malta’s first super hero

Kubos Mati Productions presents the story of seven friends and their individual fight against evil. The Spiral is a play showing at MITP Theatre, St Christopher Street, Valletta at 8 p.m.

Music/Concerts

Tomorrow

Gaulitanus: A Festival of Music

The final event of the music festival will be held at the Gozo Ministry’s Hall in Victoria. Several excerpts from popular operettas will be performed at 8 p.m. Entrance is free.

April 26

LCM Annual Concert

Organised by the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, the concert will take place at the Casino Maltese, Valletta at 7.15 p.m. For bookings e-mail: lcm@artsmalta.org or call 2124 4339/2124 4400. www.artsmalta.org

April 28

Performers Platform

Featuring baritone Victor Bonanno accompanied on piano by Yvette Maria Galea at St Catherine of Italy Church at 12.30 p.m.

April 30

Ostinato Chamber Orchestra

An Orchestra from France formed of highly talented young professional musicians with a vast operatic and symphonic repertoire will be performing in concert at the Manoel Theatre at 8 p.m.

Talks, tours and other

Today, tomorrow and Sunday

Ħarba: The first international children’s literature festival

Organised by Inizjamed and St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, with the support of the Malta Arts Fund, the colourful programme of events features interactive sessions for 300 primary school students (aged between six and eight), together with actors, writers, illustrators and musicians at St James Cavalier. For the complete events programme log on to www.inizjamed.org

Tomorrow

Fourth Mechanised Ground Fireworks

Organised by the Floriana Local Council. Held on the eve of Floriana’s parish feast, those who attend the festival will also enjoy the lavish local festivities which are a hallmark of Maltese festas. The event will be held at St Publius Square, Floriana at 10.30 p.m.

Tomorrow

Xagħra Day Celebration

A special programme in which the honour Gieħ ix-Xagħra is bestowed. The event includes the reading of poems and theatre representations related to the locality of Xagħra. The event will take place in Victory Square, Xagħra, at 7.30 p.m.

April 27

The Art of Four Elements

Four artists – a poet Nataša Pantović, a photographer Christine Cutajar, and two painters Jason Lu and Jeni Caruana, have been working together to create The Art of Four Elements book (with 120 art works and 120 poems), website (www.artof4elements.com) and exhibition. The poetry acted as an inspiration for the work of the artists – each one of them chose 40 poems and created the art work based on the theme and the “vibe” of the poems. The launch will be held at St James Cavalier at 7 p.m.

April 29-30

The Malta International Fireworks Festival

Organised by the Malta Tourism Authority this spectacular display of light and colour will take place over the Grand Harbour.

April 29, May 2

Crafts Fair and Conference

Organised by the Sta Venera local council and the Malta Crafts Council, the conference will be held at Dar San Gużepp and the fair will take place at Romeo Romano Garden, Sta Venera.

April 30, May 1-2

Mayfair

Organised by the Nadur local council, this book fair will feature entertainment, exhibitions, games for children and more. The event will be held at St Peter and St Paul’s Square, Mdina.

April 30

English Verse by Maltese Poets

The British Culture Association is presenting a recital of verse in English written by Maltese poets since 1930. The authors include well-known names like John Cremona, George Zammit, Daniel Massa, Victor Fenech, Maria Grech Ganado and Nicholas de Piro, but the audience is also likely to be impressed by the quality of poems written by lesser-known authors like Anna Castillo, Joseph Zammit Tabona, Frank Cassar Torreggiani and Mary Macmorine. The event will be held at 7 p.m. in the Music Room of St James Cavalier. Nicholas de Piro will introduce the authors and their works and will be one of the three readers, the other two being Marylu Coppini, and Paul Xuereb.

Useful contacts

St James Cavalier

Tel.: 2122 3200

info@sjcav.org

www.sjcav.org

Manoel Theatre

Tel: 2124 6389

bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt

www.manoeltheatre.com.mt

Mediterranean Conference Centre

Tel.: 2124 3840

www.mcc.com.mt