An artist's search for space to house contemporary art is over as a warehouse in Marsa undergoes the last phase of transformation to become the neutral palette - a "white cube" of space.
This ambitious project was the brainchild of visual artist Mark Mangion, who returned to Malta two years ago after living and studying in London and New York, two of the world's major art capitals.
Malta Contemporary Art (MCA), a non-profit cultural organisation, will provide the first official contemporary art space in Malta that will go by the same name and offer 450 square metres of space.
This space is the realisation of a set of five shows curated by Mr Mangion last year that were specifically titled The Search For A Space. During this event, he had utilised five separate spaces for contemporary art, which were mainly focused in and around the capital, except for a single show that took place at The Marsa open centre.
To achieve his objective for a more permanent space, Mr Mangion eventually settled for a warehouse in Marsa (just off Racecourse Street) because Valletta, which would have been ideal, does not possess this type of industrial space.
The place was previously known as Warehouse No. 8, which was being used as an independent performance art space in a project of the non-profit organisation Il-Maħżen. December 4 has been set as the date for the official launch.
Although a number of art galleries and temporary spaces are available for artists to exhibit in, the dimensions and overall environment of these spaces are generally inadequate for the requirements of contemporary art. Contemporary artists often need large areas to build structures or constructions or huge walls to project videos and images.
The MCA will not only focus on generating high-quality activities and events related to the visual arts but there will also be an extensive programme associated to other forms of art apart from educational programmes, guest talks and critical fora.
Mr Mangion said the organisation will be committed to supporting the most groundbreaking arts by promoting both local and foreign artists and to bring about an exchange that will, hopefully, bring diversity and critical discourse to this space and its public.
The space will focus on collaboration and discussion, rather than competition, and both individuals and art groups will be invited to contribute. However, artists are also welcome to present proposals for projects or events that could be held at the MCA. The first event to officially inaugurate the MCA will be a collective show by the Start artists, together with a number of younger Maltese artists.
The MCA already has a busy programme for the year ahead: 12 art exhibitions involving local and international artists; seven large-scale installations; 40 talks by artists, curators, architects, designers and others; workshops, art programmes, film festivals and much more.
The main sources of revenue of the MCA will be private, corporate and government patronage while the major expenses incurred so far have been in terms of the conversion of the space.
Mr Mangion feels people and businesses should support a space like this, which caters for contemporary artists trying to make a serious contribution.
The space needs not only financial but also public support to succeed - "the space is nothing without the public", he said.
Mr Mangion hopes the space will also establish a contemporary art collection of some 40 to 50 pieces a year, accumulated from the shows held in the space itself.
The MCA will be open daily and will operate by means of memberships and a small entry fee in the form of a donation.