Will Strait Street’s ‘authentic fabric’ be sterilised? Will new artistic director Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci’s artistic understanding help? Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The appointment of an artistic director for Strait Street has raised eyebrows among certain members of the artistic and business communities, with questions arising over the need for such specific official oversight.

“I don’t quite get the romanticisation of Strait Street. It’s a commercial place that died a natural death and is now experiencing natural growth,” said Chris Gatt, the former artistic director of St James Cavalier. “These things evolve naturally. When the government gets involved, it dies.”

Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci, a visual artist and the artistic director of the Mdina Biennale, was appointed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation earlier this week with the task of providing direction for a revamp of Strait Street’s aesthetics while curating a diverse programme of artistic events.

“I’m trying to get back to that particular historical stage [the street’s heyday], but offering various modes of artistic expression,” he told Times of Malta on Monday. “As long as we get competition into it and rope in various people of different artistic ideologies, I think we can succeed in revamping the whole scene.”

Mr Gatt said the appointment could prove positive if supported by a suitable budget and artistic direction, but warned about “looking at the past rather than creating the future”.

“Artistic directors are typically there for festivals. The festival doesn’t own the street,” he added.

Kris Soler, the owner of an establishment in Strait Street and the organiser of the annual Strada Art and Wine Festival, said he could not see why Strait Street, of all the streets in Valletta, had been singled out for special attention.

We can succeed in revamping the whole scene

“I agree that the street should be done up and that we should have more activities, but do we need an artistic director just for Strait Street? I don’t think so,” he said.

“Strait Street is just one of many beautiful streets in Valletta. Establishments all over the city should be getting together and organising things ourselves.”

Architect Edward Said ex-pressed concern over “sterilising” the authentic fabric of the street, but praised the idea of a person with artistic understanding as a single reference point for the redevelopment of the street.

“I feel we’re in good hands. He’s all for authenticity. Let the people do the magic themselves. We shouldn’t seek perfection. If it’s a bit tired looking and seedy, that’s exactly how it should be.”

Responding to questions over the Strait Street appointment, Minister for Culture Owen Bonnici said that Valletta 2018 had already succeeded in opening its doors to a wide range of consultation. “I think Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci will make his work something which is bottom-up rather than top-down, and I think the people will see the difference very soon.”