‘Perception: Postscript’ – The Malta Society of Arts’ members’ exhibition is open at Palazzo de La Salle

The Malta Society of Arts is about to launch ‘Perception: Postscript’, their members’ exhibition being showcased in the Art Galleries of Palazzo de La Salle, Valletta. It is curated by RODERICK CAMILLERI

The Malta Society of Arts (MSA) is organising its members’ exhibition, titled Perception: Postscript, as an “artistic sequel” to last year’s event, Perception. It is inspired by the theme of multisensoriality, as established by the AMuSE (Artistic Multi-Sensorial Experiences) project.

AMuSE is an international art project selected and co-funded by the European Commission within the Creative Europe programme. It is generated by a consortium of four European partners – the lead partner is the MSA itself, while the other members of the consortium are Associazione Le Terre Dei Savoia (Italy), Hanze University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands) and Dusetos Art Centre (Lithuania). The project aims to create a platform for young and emerging artists to further their creative expression and promote innovative research in multisensorial art.

This is the first time a Maltese organisation is leading an intensive and pioneering project of this significance. AMuSE is a project that aims to explore new content while creating new links and cultural networks with similar art organisations from different parts of Europe.

The project was launched last year, when the MSA relaunched its annual exhibition, titled Perception, after taking a short hiatus. Through Perception, the MSA updated its traditional annual members’ exhibition with an exciting new approach, which, for the first time ever, was framed by a particular theme, inspired by AMuSE.

The idea was to involve the MSA members in this international project and, given that another essential part of the AMuSE project is audience engagement, curator Roderick Camilleri thought that it would be very rewarding to elicit a theme and assimilate aspects of the artistic research in order to provide an opportunity for the MSA members. This led to the creation and concept of the exhibition revolving around the idea of “perception”. It aims to present new creative readings on the senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing, through various interpretations in the realm of visual arts. Members were able to partake and assimilate the theme and present experimental ideas that were then translated into artistic works.

Camilleri, who is also curating this year’s edition, has expressed great satisfaction that the feedback last year was really very positive and encouraging. In being part of the project, enthusiastic participants furthered their own ideas and artistic expression. Furthermore, they developed innovative research that moved them out of their comfort zones. In the run-up to the exhibition, participating members attended a series of informative workshops that provided resources and discussions that inspired them to develop their own personal artistic project. This further enforces the involvement of people in creative thinking and expression, engendering an artistic community.

This year’s exhibition is called Perception: Postscript. Not only does this edition present a continuation of the artistic research undertaken throughout the AMuSE project, but it also represents one of the final closing events linked with it.

The show intends to be another remarkable exhibition presenting a cross-section of multi-sensorial artwork created by the participants who number over 50. The participants will include some artists who showcased their work last year, together with numerous other member artists, art students and art lovers who are exhibiting for the first time.

Perception: Postscripts will be open from 1 to 31 August. Opening hours are Monday and Friday from 8am to 7pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8am to noon and from 3 to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 1.30pm.