Malta’s first national space dedicated exclusively to international contemporary art, MICAS, has started to take shape, with a concept launch last weekend. And Cultural Ambassador Francis Sultana has begun to inject the international dimension into it. He spoke to Fiona Galea Debono
The concept launch of Malta’s first contemporary art space, MICAS, was held last weekend in the run-up to the opening in 2021. But for Francis Sultana, the renowned London-based interior designer who is involved in its evolution, it is “never too late” for a country to have a museum of the sort.
It may say a lot about Malta not to yet have its own space dedicated exclusively to contemporary art, but while the idea has been on the drawing board for three decades, the designer is simply proud to be part of making it a reality now.
Mr Sultana, who was made Ambassador of Culture for Malta earlier this year, sits on the MICAS board, chaired by Phyllis Muscat. He has been working closely on the launch of the museum and in particular on the creation of an international programme for exhibitions and education.
It’s been a long time coming. “That is why we launched this weekend in such an important way”: with a sculpture by internationally renowned artist Ugo Rondinone – the museum’s first acquisition – and international guests from the world of art and design.
The guests included London’s Serpentine Galleries CEO Yana Peel, who has just co-presided, with Mr Sultana, over PAD, a leading fair for 20th century art, design and decorative arts in Mayfair; and the galleries’ artistic director, the art curator, critic and historian Hans Ulrich Obrist.
The Serpentine Galleries, which are based in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, host contemporary art exhibitions, architecture, education and public programmes that attract up to 1.2 million visitors a year.
“We are already building bridges with other institutions and next year will see a great collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery and artist Pierre Huyghe,” Mr Sultana reveals about the projects in the pipeline.
“A dedicated space for contemporary art is hugely important for the country, but the key factor is that it needs to be alive,” he says about its impact on artists themselves, the public and the cultural milieu.
“It needs to engage with all age groups, so they feel there is something for them there and that it is a place they can relate to and enjoy coming to frequently.”
There is no question that contemporary art is not appreciated and understood by everyone, and the space needs to be designed to attract and not alienate the man in the street, who may feel intimidated by it.
In his 10-year role at London’s V&A, the world’s leading museum of art and design, Mr Sultana says: “I learnt a great deal and I am bringing those experiences to ensure we do our best to be there for everyone.
“A museum has to be a place that embraces all ages and walks of life if it is to be a success, and that is our goal.
A museum has to be a place that embraces all ages and walks of life if it is to be a success, and that is our goal
“Malta needs to engage more with contemporary art, and we need to support those who want to make it their lives. In cities like London, the creative industries generate a huge amount of employment and revenue. That is just one aspect of the benefits of supporting this initiative.”
The aim is also for the museum to keep pushing local artists to promote their talent so that Malta can stand out on the global cultural stage.
“The only criteria: the bar will be high. And it must be ensured that MICAS is a serious institution on a global platform. That is why we are already aligning ourselves with other institutions, which will ensure an exciting future for both our exhibition and educational programmes.”
In line with the plan for MICAS to also engage with international artists and present ground-breaking works by acclaimed names, Mr Sultana was instrumental in engaging and commissioning New York-based, mixed-media artist Ugo Rondinone, and was “thrilled” he accepted.
Rondinone is noted for a range of contemporary paintings and sculptures, in particular his Seven Magic Mountains, 10-metre-high totems, which benefit from huge exposure from their Las Vegas location.
Only recently, another of his works was unveiled at Tate Liverpool, and his presence and installation at the opening have already made a “big difference” for MICAS and Malta, according to Mr Sultana – Rondinone is “one very important man with an extraordinary following both from museums and collectors worldwide”.
His stone figure, unveiled on Friday, has a “wonderful parallel as Malta’s first sculptures were stone figures from 7,000BC”, says Mr Sultana. “The installation is dedicated to the children of Malta as they are our future and will benefit hugely from what this museum, like many around the world, will do to enhance our lives.”
As for whether MICAS could be a landmark that would eventually attract tourists to Malta in its own right, Mr Sultana maintains that “culture is the kind of tool that will enhance the country’s quality of visitors”.
And a little taste of that was offered last weekend – in line with MICAS’s aim to connect communities and audiences while promoting internationalism and cultural diplomacy – with the presence of, for example, fashion designers Emilia Wickstead and Roland Mouret, whose work is also inspired by contemporary art.
Bringing over people of international repute to participate in the launch events was a way to secure MICAS’s presence as an active player on the world stage, and “as from now”, Mr Sultana believes it can actually put Malta on the map in terms of contemporary art.
The museum is being housed in the former Ospizio site and the adjacent Ritirata in Floriana, a footprint of over 1,300 square metres, which is currently undergoing works, led by the Restoration Directorate, adding another layer to the site’s rich history. It is being realised through State-funded restoration of historical fortifications and an EU co-funded project.
“It is a fantastic location, mostly because it is a forgotten space with a great derelict public garden like all museums built in areas that are neglected,” Mr Sultana says, referring to, for example, London’s Tate Modern and the social and economic benefits of regenerating a site like that.
“I am hugely looking forward to walking through the park, having brunch and reading the papers on a Saturday morning, while taking in an international exhibition.”
As regards keeping the momentum going after last weekend, Mr Sultana says “there have been many obstacles and there will be many to come, but contemporary art will win the day.
“Art inspires, engages and will enhance each and every one of us once we let it in.”